SOLVED. Fiction, similar in concept to 1958 movie "The Blob," but in the book the creature evolved from chemicals, pollution and waste in the sewer system. Pretty sure I must have read it before 1966. [s]

[Denis]

I really thought the title was THE BLOB, but can find nothing on Worldcat or anywhere else. The opening paragraphs centered on the appalling stuff that people were flushing down their drains at the time (and probably still are) which began to create a semi-sentient creature. The early part of the story then closed in on a (I think) suburban kitchen; the woman noticed a strange excrescence emerging from the drain in her kitchen sink. She prodded with her finger, the substance engulfed it, she was unable to withdraw her hand, and the slime or whatever proceeded to devour her entire body. As best I can remember, the rest of the story involved the creature devouring several more people. We had to give up the farm in 1966, and am almost positive I read it before then. Have no memory at all of what the cover may have looked like, but I do remember it was paperbound. I know there was a novelization of the more recent remake of the movie, but this was way before then. Thanks.

[Lynn]

The Blob - this was published in 1988 however it is described as the novelisation of the film The Blob.

[Denis]

Werewolf, you are a nine days' wonder! That's exactly it. Lynn, thanks for your input; a friend told me he thought there was a novelization of the earlier movie as well, but couldn't find any trace of it. I remember thinking at the time that it was unusual to read something that ecologically aware. Thanks, Werewolf!