The Deep Range

Author: Arthur C. Clarke

While we associate Clarke with stories about, or set in, space, this one's set underwater in the 21st century. Oceans are fenced off like fields and whales are cattle. Wardens control their migrations; and Walter Franklin, PTSD sufferer after a traumatizing event while in space, becomes one of them. Fearsome giant creatures of the deep play the role of wolves; and there seems to be something much worse and frightening lurking down there as well. After a while, Franklin comes to doubt the righteousness of this type of farming through his increasing awareness of cetacean intelligence. Why it's on the list: Clarke, in his novels. always focused more on the external world and the concepts than the characters. This one here is an exception, with Walter and his friend Don being far more deeply-realized characters than he's created anywhere else. Also, the book leaves us with a disturbing thought. Suppose 'advanced' aliens were to come to Earth and judge us by the way in which we treat our fellow creatures, and especially 'intelligent' ones. (Think 'scientific whaling' or the mass-killing of dolphins by certain nations in Asia as well as Scandinavia.) Suppose that were used to assess how we ought to be treated Doesn't make one feel too comfortable, does it? Read if you like: Cetaceans. Stories involving the seas and its wonders and perils.