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The Earthquake
In the early hours of September 8, 1907, an earthquake of unprecedented power strikes London.
334 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1906
About the author
William Holt-White
6 booksWilliam Holt-White was an English journalist, editor, propagandist, and writer of speculative fiction active in the Edwardian era. Born William Edward Bradden Holt-White in Hanwell, Middlesex, he wrote adventure novels, proto–science fiction, catastrophe fiction, and political thrillers.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 20, 2026
This is one of those stories which never, ever gives you what you want. It’s also a bit weak on the ending possibly as part of my previous statement.
Nevertheless, and with the caveat that I’m judging it against a lot of similar fare I’ve read, I’m still giving it 4 stars. So in terms of similar fare, evil political plot, Jack Ryan type hero character (not very tough or cunning) love triangle, racism, some sexism, lot of classism.
There are many, many of these types of plots, but this is generally more entertaining than most. Its even tense at times.
Referring back to my thesis. Only about the first 20% of this is Disaster Fiction unfortunately. I really liked the opening and if it had stuck with that instead of the more common pulp plot I’d have been much happier.
To-whit, earthquake hits London in 1905. Communications, transport etc. are damaged and you’re living in a deeply striated society, what to do?
The primeminister Mr. Blair.. funny coincidence on the name there, but this guy is definitely not New Labour but rather Old Conservative. Primeminister Blair declares marshall law effectively, and god help you if you look poor or foreign because you might well end up against a wall.. briefly (but in like a good way.. from the authors perspective).
By foreign of course i don’t mean aryan. The germans at this time are of course one of britains main enemies but are treated with all deference, provided they don’t look jewish.
There is some elements reminiscent of what happened during the Blitz decades later but as mentioned the disaster elements are rather left behind as we move into the more standard evil scheme stuff.
I did like that the love triangle elements actually make sense in the plot and just found it quite compelling, for what it was.
We also have a good reason to be at the centre of things, due to good old fashioned nepotism. Our hero being the literal nephew of the primeminister and thus given important work to do.
Anyway, i feel like i shouldn’t have liked it as much as i did and if you havn’t read as many of the dregs of this sort plotting as i have your enjoyment may vary. Good solid schlock.
Made available by the Merril Collection.
Nevertheless, and with the caveat that I’m judging it against a lot of similar fare I’ve read, I’m still giving it 4 stars. So in terms of similar fare, evil political plot, Jack Ryan type hero character (not very tough or cunning) love triangle, racism, some sexism, lot of classism.
There are many, many of these types of plots, but this is generally more entertaining than most. Its even tense at times.
Referring back to my thesis. Only about the first 20% of this is Disaster Fiction unfortunately. I really liked the opening and if it had stuck with that instead of the more common pulp plot I’d have been much happier.
To-whit, earthquake hits London in 1905. Communications, transport etc. are damaged and you’re living in a deeply striated society, what to do?
The primeminister Mr. Blair.. funny coincidence on the name there, but this guy is definitely not New Labour but rather Old Conservative. Primeminister Blair declares marshall law effectively, and god help you if you look poor or foreign because you might well end up against a wall.. briefly (but in like a good way.. from the authors perspective).
By foreign of course i don’t mean aryan. The germans at this time are of course one of britains main enemies but are treated with all deference, provided they don’t look jewish.
There is some elements reminiscent of what happened during the Blitz decades later but as mentioned the disaster elements are rather left behind as we move into the more standard evil scheme stuff.
I did like that the love triangle elements actually make sense in the plot and just found it quite compelling, for what it was.
We also have a good reason to be at the centre of things, due to good old fashioned nepotism. Our hero being the literal nephew of the primeminister and thus given important work to do.
Anyway, i feel like i shouldn’t have liked it as much as i did and if you havn’t read as many of the dregs of this sort plotting as i have your enjoyment may vary. Good solid schlock.
Made available by the Merril Collection.
Displaying 1 of 1 review