Deeply Flawed

As a long time submarine enthusiast, it was about time I read a Douglas Reeman novel as I stumbled upon one of his books decades ago as a young teenager and had intended to read the yellowing paperback but it slipped my mind. Fast forward to today and I noted with interest the collection of Reeman novels available on Audible and made up my mind to see how good they were. I opted for "The Deep Silence" as it revolved around a more modern post World War II nuclear submarine as opposed to the main stay of his books which appear to be based during that war.

Very soon into this book it was very clear that this was a novel very much of its time. Based on the story and the type of submarine described, I'd estimated the late 60's as the time frame and this was confirmed when I checked the paper back edition notes on Amazon. The speech patterns, tone and attitudes of the characters are very much of that era. Although I am most definitely not in the SJW camp, I did cringe at the casual sprinkling of ethnic epithets used in this story which would be deemed somewhat offensive these days. Goes to show how different attitudes were back then and how engrained too. Interesting, as there are no F-bombs dropped whatsoever which is not likely in the Royal Navy of any modern era and this was done, most likely, to not offend the sensibilities of the target audience back then. Rather ironic, then, that the offhand use of racial terms we'd find unacceptable was par for the course.

After having read this story, it seems quite clear to me that Reeman despite his surface navy career during the second world war has a limited understanding of submarine operations and tactics. Now, it could be argued that this wasn't an issue based on his aim of producing a naval thriller but it also occurs to me that it is also going to attract naval people as well as submarine enthusiasts such as me which will look at this story with a much more critical eye. My view is that if you're going to base a story around a submarine and its crew then you really ought to get things right. It might be that Reeman was applying world War II operations or tactics to a nuclear boat which might explain his lack of understanding here.

I felt there was a number of errors in the story based on this limited understanding that just damaged the credibility of the story as a whole. Just a little research might have allowed Reeman to come up with something much more realistic and accurate in terms of submarine operations. The climax of the departure from common sense occurred at the end of the book where our Commander surfaces his submarine in a hostile environment just as an enemy submarine has dived and a warship is coming up from behind firing shells. Quite incredible to think an author of naval thrillers can think that was sound tactics. A boat of that era up against the primitive opponents would easily have taken out these targets submerged I would think. As mentioned, there are a number of things that just would not be done such as raising a periscope while running at over 10 knots in enemy waters. One might as well attach a white flag atop the scope! Anyway, I am rambling on so on to the story itself.

When all the aforementioned problems are removed, the story is alright. The American characters all seem to be heavily stereotyped and so do the British officers for that matter. Again, most likely due to the period in which this book was written. As another reviewer mentioned, there is a totally unnecessary love interest created here for our sterling captain and a first officer who seems unstable and thus should never be in the service.

Action sequences are written well and the narrator does an excellent job of imparting the excitement. However, his Liverpool accent for one of the characters is very poor if non existent. However, he does deliver the crisp upper class speech of the officers which reflects perfectly the time in which this story is set.

Strangely, Reeman fails to tie up the loose ends neatly in terms of our captains love interest and the story simply ends after the final battle. It would have been more satisfying if we had concluded the story with a return to base and seeing how the key characters stories wrapped up.

To anyone looking for a far more accurate portrayal of submarine warfare, may I suggest looking up the author Michael DiMercurio. Audible has a range of his modern submarine thrillers written by a man who actually served during the cold war on U.S nuclear boats.

As a general military thriller for the masses then "The Deep Silence" isn't bad. However, I would recommend the aforementioned author's books for something more accurate and immersive.

6 people found this helpful

Actionpacked Submarine Melodrama!

A heroic young captain, his broken XO, their unwise old admiral and his estranged insecure son. All packed together in the same brand nuclear attack submarine!
The British sub HMS "Temeraire" sails straight into dangerous and "red" Chinese waters, during 60's and the cold war. With Douglas Reeman at the helm, You can rest assured THIS WILL NOT BE BORING!

Despite a cliche-soaked plot and a few slightly stereotypical characters, "The Deep Silence" is a roaring submarine (melo)drama going all ahead flank from start to ending.
Highly recommended, especially to fans of naval fiction and submarine buffs!
Although it might not call it high brow literature, "Deep Silence" is well written, entertaining and without a boring minute!

4 people found this helpful

Good...not great :)

Having served on submarines I enjoyed being taken back into that environment. What let the story down was the stereotypical characters and the unnecessary, ham fisted attempt at bringing relationships into the mix. There is enough material onboard a submarine to allow the author more range without bringing in a flimsy love interest ashore etc.

3 people found this helpful

Indescribably bad.

Utter garbage... I only finished it to see if it could get any worse... it did.

I am not a submariner, or a Navy man, but no one except a boy scout on jingo supplements could give any credence to this.... factually fatuous, and so melodramatic that even a Victorian spinster would blench. If I listed the technical errors that I found ( and an expert would find many more) it would be longer than the book. Braveheart is an Oxbridge dissertation by comparison.

The reader makes what he can of a bad job, but ends up compounding the crime by exacerbating the melodrama. I can only assume he needed the money.

The author was a RN seaman during WW2. He must have known better, and how he came to write this us beyond me.

2 people found this helpful

A great book and a great author

Very sad to learn that I finished this book on the day the author died :(

I have always been keen to read a Douglas Reeman book. When I was 5 I found a small number of his books owned by my mate grandad (including a ship must die). But I never got round to reading them.

Since joining audible I was reminded of Reeman's work so went for this as my first read of his work and I was delighted. Clever, informed, well written and visceral.

Perfectly narrated I look forward to reading more books.

My deepest respects to the authors family.

1 person found this helpful

What a great combination.

Douglas Reeman and David Rintoul bring alive another wonderful daring sea story. This one up to date with the nuclear age, although be it set in the early 1970's. It must be said that David Rintoul is one of the best narrator's that I have ever come across. Wonderful voice, beautifully performed, taking you into each character with care and thought. Enjoy.

Poor story line and too little action

One usually forgives Douglas Reeman the angst which forms part of all his books in exchange for brilliant action scenes. Thus far the source of the danger Id unbelievable and thus far I have seen no action so I’m returning.

the Brits saving the Yanks for a change

I didn't want it to stop. It did stop and just wanted know what happened next.

Disappointed.

Rambling and odd plot line for a writer of naval fiction. Couldn't get past the first four chapters. Come back with Alexander Kent, all is forgiven!

Needs an Epilogue!

Badly needs an epilogue to tie some of the threads at the end of the book together!