Sphere Essay, Research Paper

Sphere: Summary

The Sphere is a novel about a huge vessel that is discovered in the South Pacific on the ocean floor. A group of scientists descended to investigate the mysterious discovery. The protagonists are the scientists: Norman, Ellen, Captain Barnes, Dr. Johnson, Beth, Harry, and Ted. The antagonist of the story at the beginning is a set of tragedies. Later the antagonist turns out to be themselves.

The book starts out with the scientists having to take many vigorous mental and physical tests. Qualifying them to submerge themselves thousands of feet down into a spaceship of phenomenal dimensions. Many personality conflict arise. At one point communication is almost permanently lost with the surface world. An idea the spacecraft is from the future is shortly lived.

Once the Sphere is opened, total anarchy takes control of the scientists lives. A monstrous squid, 15 times the size of a normally larger squid, emerges and destroys the living quarters of the scientists. Now they are forced to live in the spacecraft with all communication lost with the outside world. Killer shrimp, fire, and internal floods follow the introduction of the squid. Barnes is eaten alive by the gigantic squid.

After the climax and many deaths the few people left discover whoever enters the Sphere is granted the power that everything they think or imagine happens or is created. Either it’s conscious or subconscious, while they’re sleeping or awake, or even if they really want it to happen. They also it was planted by another world as a test of its full capabilities and consequences. Ted actually imagines his own death, only to kill himself. Once their emergency submarine is lost, they realize they have a serious problem being trapped together. So sadly, eventually everyone dies 1,200 feet below the rest of the world.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a book that’s not boring. Even though it’s not a book to finish all at once or very quickly. It requires you to think, to be able to understand the story line fully. It’s very graphic, suspenseful, and fast paced. Overall this book is pretty good, even for a book.