Ok, that was fun. Don't really like audio books but whattaya do!! ( )

Ok, that was fun. Don't really like audio books but whattaya do!! ( )

Twenty Fathoms Down is another reminder that our vast cultural history should be preserved for future generations. This nifty pulp tale was published in 1934 in Five Novels magazine. In many ways it is typical of the pulp era; a short novelette with a romantic angle and a stalwart hero; but it also features some fine writing by L. Ron Hubbard whose work is receiving positive attention from scholars and pulp fans alike. These reprints of Hubbard’s work by Galaxy Press are themselves collectors items. In the recent batch of releases (The Devil-With Wings, Gunman’s Tally, Red Death Over China) I think this one is my favorite. Deep sea diver Hawk Ridley (I love that masculine, hardboiled name) has discovered a sunken Spanish galleon bearing millions in gold. But just before diving on the wreck Ridley and his crew discover a stowaway is aboard – Vick Stanton, daughter of his rival. Ridley isn’t convinced the girl’s sudden appearance isn’t part of a set-up to foil their plans, and the situation becomes deadly as they lose a crew member under mysterious circumstances. And the discovery of some rare emeralds suddenly turns this adventure into a deadly cat and mouse game with everything at stake. Hubbard’s natural talent as a writer is evident in the prose; and the flourishes he adds are a delight. For example, Both Ridley and Vick enjoy deep sea diving because it opens up another world; a world of mystery and beauty. “It’s the kick you get out of it.” Hawk tells Vick. “You know what I mean. It’s rather grand.” And Vick understands her man perfectly. “I know. It gets you.” She tells him. But the sea is also dangerous, and this is, after all, an adventure story. Peril awaits Hawk Ridley at every turn: “It was a strange world of blackness, where trees waved slowly and gently and unsuspected hillsides rose up and fell away with appalling suddenness.” Twenty Fathoms Down is a fine piece of adventure writing by L. Ron Hubbard. Galaxy Press is at about the halfway mark in this landmark reprint series and Twenty Fathoms Down is all the evidence I need to continue reading. ( )

An enjoyable story. This audiobook was well done with a multi person cast and sound effects, more like a radio drama than a typical audiobook. The story is an action-packed adventure involving the hunt for a lost sunken treasure and the rivalry over it. It is set on the cusp of the era when diving was done with diving helmets and early scuba gear. This gives it a nice period feel to it. Included with the cds was a small illustrated and informative booklet about L. Ron Hubard and the Golden Age of Pulp Fiction.

I received this book in audio format on two cd's from the publisher to provide them with a review. I want to start by pointing out the wonderful way this audio book is packaged, brilliant artwork on the cover, and nice author background info was also included, very very nice.
As far as the story goes, well, to put it as nice as I can, I didn't like it.

This audio book is only two hours long, so I actually listened to it twice. The first time I thought it was horrid and barely was able to make it to the end. The story is so very old school and I believe I wasnt ready for that. So the second time I listened to it I approached it as such, a short story written in 1934. This approach did improve the experience.

The main issue I had with the book was character background, there isn't any. Even if this book is a series and I missed the previous versions, some character background should be provided that would make the story more interesting.

Also, I believe in the 1940's this story could have been a nice addition to a magazine or such, but in my opinion it's days have passed it by. Its just hard to listen to a story where the author is writing about a 1940's submarine as a state of the art piece of machine.
My suggestion is to turn this into a gradeschool read, young children would enjoy the story if it were made age appropriate.

Overall, it should be named "Two Thumbs Down". ( )