The Deep

The Deep, being the first published book by John Crowley, is also a perfect example of Crowley's style. The Deep takes place on another world where two warring factions, the Reds and the Blacks, are essentially re-enacting King Henry VI Part III. This is just as well, as it makes the action of those portions of the novel easier to follow with character names like Redhand, Old Redhand, Younger Redhand, Red Senlin, Red Senlin's Son, and so forth. The similarities in name serve a purpose for the theme of the novel, but might prove difficult to some.

Of course, there are several factors that distinguish this novel from a mere retelling of a Shakespearean play. One is the arrival of the "Visitor" from the sky, a genderless android whose purpose in coming to this world has been forgotten after being attacked by a group of the Just. The Just are a secret group of assassins that pop up every once in a while to dispose of a political figure with their muskets.

The interaction of the political struggles, Just, and the Visitor is what ultimately makes this more than a book about warring factions. In true Crowley fashion, it actually turns metaphysical in parts.

As always, due to Crowley's ultimate reason for writing this book, The Deep does not end the way normal, plot driven books end. What many would consider the "main plot points" fizzle out at the end. At least, to the viewpoint of modern pop lit convention. Perhaps the most challenging aspect of this and almost any John Crowley work is that Crowley does not spell everything out. He leaves that up to the reader. As a result, you will have people who are satisfied with how everything turned out, even the Visitor sub-plot as well as people scratching their heads wondering what the point of the Visitor was in the first place.

The Deep was a quick read for me. But it was exciting and thoughtful as well. The work as a whole will give my mind something to chew on for some time and will eventually demand a re-read.