Skip to content

THE TIDE WENT OUT

Written By:

Nick Blackshaw
91JhULikSIL

The British Library continues to release long lost classics of science fiction, this time turning the spotlight on Charles Eric Maine (1921-1981), an author writing within the zeitgeist of the Cold War and the fears that were stoked by nuclear annihilation; one of his creations being The Tide Went Out which would also be later re-released under the title Thirst in the late 1970s.

The story follows journalist Philip Wade, who arrives at his Fleet Street newspaper to discover that his latest article has been censored by the British government. Wade smells a conspiracy and begins looking into the cover up. However, Wade is then unexpectedly offered another job at a newly-formed government department – the International Bureau of Information. Its sole purpose is to provide positive spin for ongoing events, but the ongoing events involving nuclear testing in the South Pacific and a breach in the Earth’s crust have meant that the planet’s water is starting to run out. The nightmare is only just beginning.

The Tide Went Out is a very enjoyable piece of Cold War fiction. It has the classic threat of nuclear annihilation (a very real possibility at the time) which is then extrapolated into a post-apocalyptic nightmare, a trail which is trodden by an extremely well-developed character in Wade, likeable yet stern, heroic but also in some instances cowardly. However, the story is sometimes frustrated with its own pace. On the one hand, some key features of the narrative happen too quickly when you would think more detail would be given (or is that completely the intention, given the censorship and “cover-up” nature of the story?), meanwhile, some aspects are dwelled upon too much.

The intention of the British Library’s re-releases is to give new life to stories they feel should be remembered. Is The Tide Went Out worth remembering? Yes. Its hiccups with pace can easily be forgiven, as it shows a nightmarish world told through the eyes of a protagonist that you want to win.

THE TIDE WENT OUT / AUTHOR: CHARLES ERIC MAINE / PUBLISHER: BRITISH LIBRARY / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

Nick Blackshaw

You May Also Like...

chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More