The Deep Range [Hardcover]

Arthur C. Clarke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1957

It is the 21st century and humans have finally conquered the sea. Professionals now harvest plankton to feed the world. However, the sea has not given up all its secrets, but men like Walter Franklin are determined to find them out.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From The New Yorker

'One of the truly prophetic figures of the space age' --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

'Enough crises to keep you reading avidly' -- Sunday Times --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 238 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc.; 1St Edition edition (June 1957)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0151246351
• ISBN-13: 978-0151246359
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #899,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"SIR ARTHUR C. CLARKE (1917-2008) wrote the novel and co-authored the screenplay for 2001: A Space Odyssey. He has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, and he is the only science-fiction writer to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. His fiction and nonfiction have sold more than one hundred million copies in print worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 and 1/2, July 4, 2000

By 

Bill R. Moore (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Deep Range (Paperback)

On something of a departure for Clarke, he explores the depths of earth's oceans in this book, rather than his usual space sagas. It succeeds remarkably well, and is better than his more well-known novel of the ocean (The Ghost From The Grand Banks). The plot is good, with several surprising mini-twists, and the characterization is better than on most of his works. Also, as with all his books, the ending is beautiful and poetic. A must read for the Clarke fan.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The White Serpent, April 3, 2008

By 

doomsdayer520 (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Deep Range (Mass Market Paperback)

Arthur C. Clarke created a few novels and short stories that took place not in outer space, but under the sea, and this release from the mid-1950s is the earliest of note. The deep sea is surely alien and mysterious enough to qualify for compelling science fiction, which was one of Clarke's great insights. In this novel, humanity has turned to the oceans for reliable food supplies, courtesy of maverick deep sea divers with a level of heroism usually found in the astronauts of more typical sci-fi. Unfortunately, this novel becomes merely a series of crises and discoveries that will thrill the adventurous reader but will cause some disdain for those seeking deeper themes (notwithstanding an abrupt injection of religious commentary near the end). And in a rare case of poor story construction by Clarke, he even leaves several plotlines hanging - like when a giant squid is captured with great drama but then is never mentioned again. This story also suffers from some forced literary parallels with Moby Dick - an idea that Clarke seems to have started with but forgot to apply consistently. Granted, Clarke still delivered plenty of the thrills of discovery and adventures into the unknown that were his perennial strengths. But in terms of plot and characterization, this novel doesn't quite stack up with his classics. [~doomsdayer520~]

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars uncharacteristic for clarke, June 20, 2004

By 

jose_monkey_org "jose_monkey_org" (ann arbor, mi, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Deep Range (Mass Market Paperback)

like many clarke readers, i came to know him through his more popular works like 2001. i have always found his writing to be enjoyable and easy to digest, and have enjoyed the smarter science fiction he's produced.

i found this book to be uncharacteristic for clarke in several ways. the obvious change is in the setting, underwater as opposed to in space. however, i found clarke departed from his usual careful attention to science absent, as well. several of the realities of the ocean and the world he's created are ignored. finally, clarke's tenor, which i find to be often optimistic and inspiring, is also toned down.

all in all a different book than what i expected, and probably the kind of thing a clarke fan would enjoy when they're looking for a slight departure from the norm. still, not one of his best works.