The Deep Range

Abstract

The novel follows Walter Franklin – a former astronaut, having left the profession after a traumatic event where he was left isolated in open space without the ability to contact anyone for an extended period of time – as he trains to become a submarine pilot (and whale herder) and rises within the ranks of the Bureau of Whales – an organization responsible for the keeping and herding of whales across the world’s oceans for future processing into meat and other products, one of the world’s two apparent main sources of food within the novel’s narrative – the other being plankton farming. Eventually, Franklin becomes Director of the Bureau of Whales but shortly after his ascent to the position, he is confronted with a movement lead by Buddhists (seemingly the only world religion with any real power in Clarke’s novel) against the slaughter of whales for human consumption. Coincidentally, it is, around the same time, suggested that the Bureau of Whales begin focusing efforts on the production of whale milk and other related products. The events that follow – including the public backlash after the Buddhists initiate a propaganda campaign against the Bureau – prompt a realization from Franklin that, despite his initial plans to increase whale meat processing during his tenure, his time spent as a whale herder had caused him to come to care for the creatures. Against the wishes of his superiors, Franklin speaks in favor of a transition away from meat processing and into milk processing in front of a worldwide audience, further swaying public opinion. The novel ends with the beginning of a new cycle: Franklin’s son departs Earth for space, as he has begun training to become an astronaut, much as his father once was; as for Franklin himself, he has been tasked with overseeing the Bureau of Whales’ reorganization as it transitions away from meat processing in the aftermath of the previous events.