The story of Godzilla in novel version
As many people know, Godzilla originally started as a movie. This film, based on a story by Shigeru Kayama, was directed by Ishiro Honda; then scripted by the director and Takeo Morata. However, Shigeru Kayama, for his part, had the chance to adapt his story under a novel, that is to say this one.
Godzilla.
Which tells of the arrival of an underwater monster which, fed by the radiation from the H-bomb, becomes a psychopathic and dangerous mutant creature. Endowed with superhuman strength, gigantic size and a breath filled with toxic radiation dangerous for humanity, the creature invades the Japanese coasts and ravages the cities it crosses. Faced with such force that the army cannot stop, only a handful of human beings – including a scientist equipped with a new invention – can put a stop to this monster’s attacks. But then arises a serious dilemma. Would it be relevant to exterminate a creature whose abilities could enrich humanity? Or would it be more appropriate to use against this monster a weapon that other countries could recreate and use as a weapon of mass destruction.
It is this story that we discover in this novel. The same story as in the film, but enriched under Shigeru Kayama’s approach. In a prose where he adds psychological states of thought to everyone, as well as details that elucidate certain characters’ motivations; which might not be mentioned in the film.
Thus, it is a clear, fluid and understandable prose that we have in this novel. A very detailed prose that makes any reader who has not seen the film obtain a precise detail of the story.
In addition, this novel features another story; titled Godzilla Returns. Where we discover another Godzilla species, but also another mutant and giant creature. I don’t know if this much shorter story was made into a film. Nevertheless, this adventure demonstrates how the end of the first film is not absolute and that other creatures affected by the H-bomb prey on Japan and its citizens.
In short, regarding this second plot, I found it less detailed than the first. However, the story is still very good.
Regarding the French translations of Sarah Boivineau for the first story and those of Yacine Youhat for the second, these remain very well done. It is excellent work on the part of these two ladies who present the story to us accurately, with clear and sharp terms in well-constructed sentences. As for the French edition published by Ynnis Editions, the cover is magnificent and transposes the atmosphere of chaos that Godzilla left behind. In addition, this edition includes a foreword by the author written in July 1955. In it, he clearly describes the metaphors of his story but also how the parallel of Godzilla addresses a serious problem that was taking place in the 1950s and which may still occur today; i.e. the proliferation of atomic bomb and hydrogen tests; affecting people and the planet.
In short, this book by Shigeru Kayama allows the reader to discover the history of Godzilla; as he had in mind; with details that are not necessarily mentioned, but that allow a better understanding of the intentions or the atmosphere of the places of the drama. It’s a nice introduction to the world of Godzilla, which is a classic of Japanese literature and cinema.
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