Another random war novel - novella? - although, like Wouk's The Caine Mutiny, I did actually enjoy reading such a blokey tale of maritime derring do. My actual reason for buying 'the book of the film' (although the film turns the British destroyer into an American vessel, naturally) is because Rayner's story was the inspiration behind a Star Trek episode, 'The Balance of Terror' (yes, I am that nerdy). The cold and precise Romulans are the Germans, fighting against the Allies - Kirk and the Enterprise - in the Neutral Zone. The whole battle translates very well into sci-fi, and the British captain, Murrell, is a lot like Kirk, even down to conferring with the ship's doctor. The characterisation is spot on: 'The Captain moved apart from the other officers clustered on the bridge. He felt an immediate desire to be alone - for he looked fear in the face, and wanted to meet this new adversary alone. It was not so much the personal fear of death, but the fear that his professional judgement might prove to be at fault'.

Anyway, getting away from Star Trek and back to The Enemy Below, the face-off between the two captains is well-paced, and the reader is able to identify with both sides, I think. The language is a little stultified - the British captain actually says 'Tally-ho' at one point - but Rayner obviously knew his onions, though even the technical jargon can't completely sink the tense atmosphere. Also, the ending is both surprising and amusing. ( )