“Bamboo Guerillas” is a novel by Guy N. Smith, published in 1977. Unlike many of his more famous works in the horror genre, this book is a war adventure novel set in Southeast Asia. The story reflects Smith’s versatility as a writer, delving into the themes of survival and conflict during wartime.
Plot Summary
As Malaya teetered on the brink of falling to the Japanese, a group of nurses found themselves in the ruthless hands of the notorious Colonel Sika. Known for his sadistic methods, Sika posed a grave threat to their lives, subjecting them to the prospect of brutal torture and potentially a hideous death. The only hope for these captured women lay with ‘Jungle’ Carter and his band of Chinese guerillas.
Carter, a seasoned and resourceful leader, understood the perilous nature of their mission. The hostile jungle was a formidable adversary in its own right, where the oppressive heat and rampant fever claimed nearly as many lives as the relentless combat. The rescue mission would be a desperate and bloody struggle, fraught with danger at every turn.
Navigating through dense foliage and treacherous terrain, Carter and his guerillas faced not only the fierce Japanese forces but also the myriad threats posed by the jungle environment. Poisonous creatures, disease, and the ever-present threat of ambush tested their endurance and resolve.
As they closed in on Sika’s stronghold, the stakes grew higher. The lives of the nurses depended on their ability to outmanoeuvre and outfight an enemy that had every advantage of terrain and preparedness. Each step closer to their goal meant facing overwhelming odds and the potential for devastating loss.
This gripping tale of courage and survival highlights the resilience and bravery of those who dare to confront evil in its most brutal form. Carter’s relentless determination to save the nurses from a fate worse than death showcases the indomitable human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Readers will be riveted by the intense action, emotional depth, and unyielding suspense that define this harrowing rescue mission in the heart of a wartime jungle.
Themes and Style
- Survival and Warfare: The novel focuses on the themes of survival and the harsh realities of guerrilla warfare. It portrays the physical and psychological challenges faced by soldiers in combat.
- Camaraderie and Leadership: Major Davenport’s leadership and the camaraderie among the soldiers are central to the story, highlighting the bonds formed in life-and-death situations.
- Jungle Environment: The hostile and unforgiving jungle setting plays a crucial role in the narrative, adding to the tension and danger experienced by the characters.
Reception
“Bamboo Guerillas” received a mixed reception from readers and critics. Some praised the novel for its intense action sequences and realistic depiction of jungle warfare, while others felt it did not stand out among the numerous war novels of its time. Despite this, fans of Guy N. Smith’s writing appreciated the book for its engaging storytelling and departure from his usual horror themes.
Author Background
Guy N. Smith (1939-2020) was a British author known primarily for his horror fiction. He wrote over 100 novels, encompassing a variety of genres including horror, adventure, and thriller. Smith’s ability to craft compelling narratives across different genres showcased his versatility as a writer.
Legacy
While “Bamboo Guerillas” may not be as well-known as Smith’s horror novels, it remains a part of his diverse body of work. The novel offers a glimpse into his ability to write action-packed, war-themed stories, providing readers with a different but equally thrilling experience compared to his horror fiction.
Overall, “Bamboo Guerillas” is an engaging war adventure novel that demonstrates Guy N. Smith’s talent for creating intense and suspenseful narratives. The book stands out as an example of his versatility and ability to captivate readers across various genres.
Mews Books, a newly formed small USA publisher in the 1970’s, commissioned me to write “The Truckers” series. All their UK books were distributed by New English Library under the editorship of the late Peter Haining in 1977. Hardly had I had time to change the ribbon in my manual typewriter before Peter phoned me to say that Mews wanted me to write a war series. Peter told me to set it in Malaya, focusing on the inhumanities and cruelty inflicted on captured British servicemen and told me “go over the top, there are no boundaries in these books!” So I did just that and both books were completed in about six weeks.
However, all was not well at Mews. Series books were fast becoming unfashionable and they decided to close their project. The outcome was that NEL took on the remaining books.
Soon after I received a phone call from a young editor at NEL. She said that the violence and sex in Bamboo Guerillas was far too explicit and could I tone it down! I said ‘no!’ I had been directed to write it as such and I was not prepared to spend time on a lengthy, unnecessary rewrite!
So in 1977 “Bamboo Guerillas” was published by NEL, with some editing (!), but no mention of it being no.1 of a series, no.2 never appeared.
It went to a reprint without mention of this in the latter. The first edition has a red cover depicting an Allied Forces soldier gruesomely stabbing a Japanese soldier. The front cover blurb is “Kill or be killed in a savage Jungle War.” The reprint is in very slightly larger format showing a charging Japanese with extended bayonet. The cover is predominantly white yet it is stated that this is a first edition! Curious.
Some years ago I was introduced to the cover artist of the “reprint”, Tony Masero, who kindly signed my own copy for me.
I cannot find the copy manuscript of the books. They probably got lost in our move from Tamworth to Black Hill and doubtless NEL destroyed the originals after publication of the first. If I still had them then we would publish the second in the series. The idea has crossed my mind to write a sequel. “Bamboo Guerillas” is one of my most collectible titles, especially the “reprint.” I guess the print run was small. Copies do crop up from time to time, though, on the internet.
Guy N. Smith