Camouflage

By: Joe Haldeman

Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

The artifact is found seven miles below the surface of the sea and beneath 40 more feet of sand. The Navy's efforts to raise a wrecked submarine uncover it - and set in motion a scientific race to retrieve it, to discover just what it is and where it came from.

Denser than any substance known to man, it has broken every drill bit they've tried on it and will not budge an inch. It resists every effort to breach it - or communicate with it. So the government turns to marine biologist Russell Sutton for help.

Meanwhile, unknown to any of them, two creatures have wandered the earth for generations. The aliens have no knowledge of each other, but possess a residual memory of the artifact - and an affinity for deep water. One, which calls itself the changeling, has survived by adaptation, by taking on many different forms: man, woman, snake, shark. The other, which calls itself the chameleon, has survived solely by destroying anything or anyone that threatens it.

Now, finally brought up from the bottom of the sea, the artifact calls to them both...to come home. For all these generations there have been two invincible creatures on Earth. But the chameleon has decided there's only room for one.

A novel of human and inhuman nature, Camouflage will take you to the depths of the sea, to the limit of man's imagination - and beyond.

©2005 Joe Haldeman (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

Nebula Award, Best Novel, 2005

"Haldeman trips through history wearing alien goggles but his message is all about human nature." (Entertainment Weekly)
An extremely intelligent thriller." (Washington Post)

Kind of like invasion of the body snatchers

Too different aliens in the same story will keep you up late.
I hope you like it as much as I did.

Too Graphic/Spoiled

The book had a great beginning so I was especially excited about my read. Unfortunately, the rape scene was so disturbing, I couldn't finish it. I continued reading for a few more chapters but the agony of the victim and her injuries--too visual.

Trial & error of an immortal

Would you listen to Camouflage again? Why?

Maybe if I became an immortal/ changeling which could happen when science understands/controls DNA or another type of life form. .

Not your typical story... but a good listen.

What did you love best about Camouflage?

I like how the story was written... it did jump around a little more than your typical sci-fi book, but nothing to bad and actually made the story a bit better to listen to. Towards the end you kind of figure out how it is going to end though. Which for me was a bit of a let down.

What other book might you compare Camouflage to and why?

I really can't think of a different book to compare this to... it's kind of got it's own flavor that you really can't quite figure out.

Have you listened to any of Eric Michael Summerer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not really... but it takes quite a lot for me to want to listen to a book all in one sitting.

excellent book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yep - people interested in the way life could be, and by life I mean non-human non-earth life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

the aliens

What does Eric Michael Summerer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

just a great listen.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

yes - but I don't want to write about a spoiler.

Any additional comments?

if you like creative fiction - give this a try. It is a little outside the box.

Not a Steven King but was interesting.

the story line was easy to follow and guess ahead. Had some features in the story line that was fun to hear how it developed. The ending left me chuckling had it figured before I got to it. At least the language wasn't as bad as some I've heard. Over all it was worth it but not all that exciting.

Character development problematic but good story

I'm not the fondest of over reliance on rape for character development though the author tries to mitigate that. The story is overall pretty good and I appreciated the growth the main character goes through.

Hooked me with premise, lost me with weak ending.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Drop the contrived twist, then improve the payoff the current ending is too disappointing.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Stephen King's The Wind Through the Keyhole

Has Great Moments

What made the experience of listening to Camouflage the most enjoyable?

I have been reading Haldeman for decades and most of his work is marvellous. This book has all those marvellous elements but does tend to lose you now and again, so I had trouble concentrating at times.

What other book might you compare Camouflage to and why?

You don't compare Haldeman to anyone, you compare others to him if you must play such a game.

Which character – as performed by Eric Michael Summerer – was your favorite?

I want to say one, but at the same time it was also the one who annoyed me just as much. Find out for yourself, it is certainly an interesting adventure.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not a happy as I usually am with his books, but at the same time I am damn well pleased I did read it - another master writer.

Any additional comments?

One of the better books I have read in the last two years, some will find it tedious, and some will find it adventurous. Either way, it is good.

Outstanding

Picked up this book when it was on sale because it seemed mildly interesting but turned out to be the best book I’ve listened to this year. Creative ideas matched with excellent story and plot. Definitely listen to again