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)

Interesting, good listen

Very good story, interesting, kept my attention. Only criticism is that it wrapped up to quickly. Built to a final confrontation and then...
Still would definitely recommend this audiobook

Great read

This ranks near the top of my list for well written and well read sci-fi's. It just keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Lot's of fun.

Fascinating characters

This is a story of a shape changing creature which decides to integrate into human society, and has to deal with issues of war, love and another shape changer going around. I don't want to spoil the story, but the ending just seems too convenient and happy. There's also a bunch of sex scenes with the shape changer masquerading as both genders which seem a bit forced.

For those two flaws, it gets 4 stars in overall and story.

The narrator did an especially good job with different character accents without making them sound comical.

entertaining, but not buyin' it

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoyed this book, but it involved two different species of alien who both were virtually immortal highly powerful shapeshifters, living on earth. Apparently they represent a substantial portion of alien life out there? I just find that unlikely.

One is evil and one becomes good as a result of earth experiences, which is interesting was not developed as well as it could have been.

So, the book followed the development of one of them on earth (he/she had lost her memory in some unexplained way). That was probably the best part.

Would you be willing to try another book from Joe Haldeman? Why or why not?

Maybe but the science aspect is pretty light.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Eric Michael Summerer?

I'd rather not. He attempts to imitate voices when he reads a book, which is annoying, especially in the extended conversations when he is trying to be a sexy girl.

Could you see Camouflage being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes, I could but that fact doesn't particularly recommend it. They would need to expand the final conflict drama as it is a virtual afterthought and would take about two minutes.

A very good story even if it was predictable.

I found the story to be very predictable at times. Other times I had a hard time differentiating between the chameleon and the changeling. Over all this was still an enjoyable listen.

I loved this story and couldn't stop listening to

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

This story is intriguing because of the visceral descriptions of what the Antagonist is going through. I listen to books on my commute in my car, and this one is page turning, or in my case, car parking-with-the-radio-on experience! I would highly recommend this book!

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

when the antagonist began to care about humans

Pleasantly surprised

This was one of the free books offered and was pleasantly surprised.
It flowed nicely and kept my interest.
The ending was rather quick and ended abruptly.
The narrator was great and would enjoy hearing other books by him.

just what i needed

I bought and returned 5 books before I found this winner. great characterization and unusual story.

a nice diversion from non fiction

Fun story, captivating and entertaining. interesting story line and sexual situations are not overly explicit as depicted in many comments.

A really fun listen

I was riveted the entire time. I only wish it had been a bit longer and had a bit more science fictiony substance (I don't know how to articulate this better).