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~]