Down to a Sunless Sea

by David Graham

Book Overview

The six hundred passengers and crew members aboard a jumbo jetliner are left without a destination and a country when nuclear war breaks out and spreads devastation around the world. A collapsed... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0449245136
• ISBN13: 9780449245132
• Release Date: July 1982
• Publisher: Fawcett Books
• Length: 319 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Obscure But A Classic

I first read this book in 1983. Although it has some quirky faults, I enjoyed it greatly and I have re-read it on many occasions. In the early 1980s, the United States collapses economically from lack of oil. As part of its recovery plans, America is sending people out of the country to cut down its population. This is where Jonah Scott and the crew of Air Britain's Speedbird 626 come in. Shortly after leaving New York in late 1985 with a load of mostly refugees on board, Scott and company receive a message that all out nuclear war has commenced. After all regular landing options are extinguished in nuclear fireballs, Scott manages to land at a NATO airbase in the Azores that has only been partially destroyed in a netron bomb attack. Jonah and company soon discover their refuge is only temporary. A planet wide cloud of atomic particles is slowly floating down on them. Their only option is to fly Speedbird 262 to Antarctica where the air is clear! There are two versions of this story. I have been lucky enough to read both. The first Sunless Sea novel I bought has a happy ending. I recently came across an older printing that has a sad ending. Strangely enough there is little difference between the versions. The major difference seems to be an extra two pages at the end of the older book. Im curious as to what brought about the change. Havent been able to find out anything. Having read the older version also helps explain some of what appeared to be improbable events discussed in the first chapters such as the oil crisis that brings down the USA. It seems like reasonable speculation given that the book was originally written in the late 70s rather than the early 80s. This is easily one of the best end of the world novels. I urge you to get a copy!

Where can I get it???

I read this book about 5 years ago and it is probably the best book i've ever read. I really want to get a copy so if anyone knows where I can get one please let me know.

Riveting

Like a lot of you that also reviewed this book, I read it first years ago, then lost it and eventually re-ordered a new copy two years ago. I just re-read it. It is an amazingly good read, but I was astonished to see that my new paperback had a different (and happy) ending ???) what gives???? - please feel free to email me if you know what happened to the original ( and shocking) ending as I'm completely dumbfounded. Don't they realise that the shock ending was what kept you remembering this great book ???

A memorable book, worthy of multiple readings

Read this book, I don't know how many years ago. Then read it again. One of the first apocolyptic books that I read. Has a shocking ending, just when things seem to be looking up for the survivors. Brilliant. My copy went missing some years ago and I have been searching for a new copy ever since. Would love to see it re-printed. Anyone know where I could get a copy?