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Lost World #2
Uncharted Seas
In the face of an Atlantic hurricane, two girls and a boatload of men, of all races and colours, pit their strength against the appalling rigours of the open sea. Tension mounts. The desirable Synolda is forced into the arms of a man who knows her past and uses that knowledge. A man with hatred in his eyes – a hatred that can only be satisfied with blood.
There is mutiny and murder before the unrelenting Sargasso weed entombs them all. But suddenly land is sighted – land unmarked on the chart, concealing unimaginable horrors.
There is mutiny and murder before the unrelenting Sargasso weed entombs them all. But suddenly land is sighted – land unmarked on the chart, concealing unimaginable horrors.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1938
9 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Dennis Wheatley
381 books248 followersDennis Yates Wheatley (8 January 1897 – 10 November 1977) [Born: Dennis Yeats Wheatley] was an English author. His prolific output of stylish thrillers and occult novels made him one of the world's best-selling authors in the 1950s and 1960s.
His first book, Three Inquisitive People, was not immediately published; but his first published novel, The Forbidden Territory, was an immediate success when published in 1933, being reprinted seven times in seven weeks.
He wrote adventure stories, with many books in a series of linked works. His plots covered the French Revolution (Roger Brook Series), Satanism (Duc de Richleau), World War II (Gregory Sallust) and espionage (Julian Day).
In the thirties, he conceived a series of whodunit mysteries, presented as case files, with testimonies, letters, pieces of evidence such as hairs or pills. The reader had to go through the evidence to solve the mystery before unsealing the last pages of the file, which gave the answer. Four of these 'Crime Dossiers' were published: Murder Off Miami, Who Killed Robert Prentice, The Malinsay Massacre, and Herewith The Clues.
In the 1960s his publishers were selling a million copies of his books per year. A small number of his books were made into films by Hammer, of which the best known is The Devil Rides Out (book 1934, film 1968). His writing is very descriptive and in many works he manages to introduce his characters into real events while meeting real people. For example, in the Roger Brook series the main character involves himself with Napoleon, and Joséphine whilst being a spy for the Prime Minister William Pitt. Similarly, in the Gregory Sallust series, Sallust shares an evening meal with Hermann Göring.
He also wrote non-fiction works, including accounts of the Russian Revolution and King Charles II, and his autobiography. He was considered an authority on the supernatural, satanism, the practice of exorcism, and black magic, to all of which he was hostile. During his study of the paranormal, though, he joined the Ghost Club.
From 1974 through 1977 he edited a series of 45 paperback reprints for the British publisher Sphere under the heading "The Dennis Wheatley Library of the Occult", selecting the titles and writing short introductions for each book. This series included both occult-themed novels by the likes of Bram Stoker and Aleister Crowley and non-fiction works on magic, occultism, and divination by authors such as the Theosophist H. P. Blavatsky, the historian Maurice Magre, the magician Isaac Bonewits, and the palm-reader Cheiro.
Two weeks before his death in November 1977, Wheatley received conditional absolution from his old friend Cyril ‘Bobby’ Eastaugh, the Bishop of Peterborough.
His estate library was sold in a catalogue sale by Basil Blackwell's in the 1970s, indicating a thoroughly well-read individual with wide-ranging interests particularly in historical fiction and Europe. His influence has declined, partly due to difficulties in reprinting his works owing to copyright problems.
Fifty-two of Wheatley's novels were published posthumously in a set by Heron Books UK. More recently, in April 2008 Dennis Wheatley's literary estate was acquired by media company Chorion.
He invented a number of board games including Invasion.
-Wikipedia
His first book, Three Inquisitive People, was not immediately published; but his first published novel, The Forbidden Territory, was an immediate success when published in 1933, being reprinted seven times in seven weeks.
He wrote adventure stories, with many books in a series of linked works. His plots covered the French Revolution (Roger Brook Series), Satanism (Duc de Richleau), World War II (Gregory Sallust) and espionage (Julian Day).
In the thirties, he conceived a series of whodunit mysteries, presented as case files, with testimonies, letters, pieces of evidence such as hairs or pills. The reader had to go through the evidence to solve the mystery before unsealing the last pages of the file, which gave the answer. Four of these 'Crime Dossiers' were published: Murder Off Miami, Who Killed Robert Prentice, The Malinsay Massacre, and Herewith The Clues.
In the 1960s his publishers were selling a million copies of his books per year. A small number of his books were made into films by Hammer, of which the best known is The Devil Rides Out (book 1934, film 1968). His writing is very descriptive and in many works he manages to introduce his characters into real events while meeting real people. For example, in the Roger Brook series the main character involves himself with Napoleon, and Joséphine whilst being a spy for the Prime Minister William Pitt. Similarly, in the Gregory Sallust series, Sallust shares an evening meal with Hermann Göring.
He also wrote non-fiction works, including accounts of the Russian Revolution and King Charles II, and his autobiography. He was considered an authority on the supernatural, satanism, the practice of exorcism, and black magic, to all of which he was hostile. During his study of the paranormal, though, he joined the Ghost Club.
From 1974 through 1977 he edited a series of 45 paperback reprints for the British publisher Sphere under the heading "The Dennis Wheatley Library of the Occult", selecting the titles and writing short introductions for each book. This series included both occult-themed novels by the likes of Bram Stoker and Aleister Crowley and non-fiction works on magic, occultism, and divination by authors such as the Theosophist H. P. Blavatsky, the historian Maurice Magre, the magician Isaac Bonewits, and the palm-reader Cheiro.
Two weeks before his death in November 1977, Wheatley received conditional absolution from his old friend Cyril ‘Bobby’ Eastaugh, the Bishop of Peterborough.
His estate library was sold in a catalogue sale by Basil Blackwell's in the 1970s, indicating a thoroughly well-read individual with wide-ranging interests particularly in historical fiction and Europe. His influence has declined, partly due to difficulties in reprinting his works owing to copyright problems.
Fifty-two of Wheatley's novels were published posthumously in a set by Heron Books UK. More recently, in April 2008 Dennis Wheatley's literary estate was acquired by media company Chorion.
He invented a number of board games including Invasion.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 20, 2019
This was something of a disappointment. I was always quite fond of the 1968 Hammer film The Lost Continent which was listed as being based on this novel, and finally tracked down a copy of the book. It's a lovely illustrated volume with a soft red leather cover that has gilded lettering and a yellow ribbon bookmark sewed in. The movie bears only slight resemblance to the book, however, and it's one of those rare cases where the movie tells a better story. I was expecting something similar to a William Hope Hodgson haunted sea story, but the novel simply chronicles some rather unpleasant people who are shipwrecked, have some nasty trials and adventures, and then simply said away. Published in 1938, I was quite shocked by the amount of promiscuity that's detailed, but the book is ultimately spoiled by an overwhelming and unrepentant aura of racism. It's not on a par with many of the other lost-land stories of the time.
April 27, 2012
A bit of a departure for Wheatley, and a bit like a Boys Own adventure. I remember seeing a film based on this (or possibly "Lost Continent", and being massively disappointed! Uncharted Seas keeps the willing reader engaged, but it is an unusual subject matter for the author and I could easily see how some people would be put off. The story of a ship getting stuck in an "Uncharted Sea" by choking seaweed might not be everyone's cup of tea, but the tale expands to give a taste of adventures in bygone days. I really enjoyed it, but I was much younger when I read it!
October 10, 2019
Strange story, can't get the image of huge craves and killer squids out of my head.
October 27, 2021
Trapped is a weed infested sea.
An epic adventure which keeps you in it's grip. After surviving a hurricane the crew and passengers of the Gafleborg face constant danger, giant creatures, impenetrable weed and hostile natives. Do not be put off if you have seen the laborious film of the book, The Sargasso Sea.
An epic adventure which keeps you in it's grip. After surviving a hurricane the crew and passengers of the Gafleborg face constant danger, giant creatures, impenetrable weed and hostile natives. Do not be put off if you have seen the laborious film of the book, The Sargasso Sea.
June 8, 2019
Sans tout le racisme et la misogynie qui peuple le roman et pas seulement en terme de caractérisation des personnages, mais un racisme tissé à même la narration (une île en forme de croix est le lieu d'habitation des Blancs et dans une autre surnommée "Devil's Island" habite les Noirs qui kidnappe les femmes de la première île), ce roman aurait pu être intéressant (monstre marins géants, explorations maritimes, crabes géants, etc.), presqu'un mauvais roman de Merritt (pour qui j'ai la plus haute estime) à l'égard d'exploration de cités inconnues (mais ici, ce sont des océans inconnus avec des créatures marines terrifiantes).
Toutefois, ces éléments sont tellement présents et indétachable de la trame narrative (pour un roman de 1938) que je ne peux même pas imaginer noter positivement le roman. L'adaptation cinématographique The Lost Continent (1968, un Hammer film) semble être vraiment meilleure toutefois, peut-être y jetterais-je un coup d’œil (l'adaptation couple complètement l'île du Diable pour plutôt favoriser une attaque du bateau par les descendants des pirates, les "gentils" de l'île en forme de crois du roman).
Toutefois, ces éléments sont tellement présents et indétachable de la trame narrative (pour un roman de 1938) que je ne peux même pas imaginer noter positivement le roman. L'adaptation cinématographique The Lost Continent (1968, un Hammer film) semble être vraiment meilleure toutefois, peut-être y jetterais-je un coup d’œil (l'adaptation couple complètement l'île du Diable pour plutôt favoriser une attaque du bateau par les descendants des pirates, les "gentils" de l'île en forme de crois du roman).
January 24, 2024
This is a suspenseful adventure story that features a lot of death and slaughter and more casual sex than might be expected in a novel first published in 1938. There’s an acknowledgment of female sexuality and desire even if the female characters (indeed, most of the characters) feel a little wooden.Notwithstanding the perils of the lost island wherein the denouement of the adventure takes place, it contrasts positively - and surprisingly given socialistic aspects like holding all land in common - with the world teetering on the brink of war outside. The racist prejudice of the British colonial officer featured is also exposed before he early on becomes one of the many casualties. Yet there’s also a disturbingly strong vein of racism running through the book. That and the often hackneyed dialogue are distractions from the sometimes far-fetched but often gripping adventure narrative Wheatley unfolds.
July 23, 2024
One of my favourite authors
Used to lay in bed most nights reading Dennis wheatley book's loved them great story teller, started reading from early age now 70 and just getting back into them on my kindle, read devil rides out several times over the years but love all his books read lots of his novels and never been disappointed.Uncharted seas just read for second time and loved it first time read it when I was about 13 stop great read
Used to lay in bed most nights reading Dennis wheatley book's loved them great story teller, started reading from early age now 70 and just getting back into them on my kindle, read devil rides out several times over the years but love all his books read lots of his novels and never been disappointed.Uncharted seas just read for second time and loved it first time read it when I was about 13 stop great read
May 9, 2024
Brilliant
I read this many years ago and have enjoyed rereading it once more and have a daughter who I named Yonita 😊
I read this many years ago and have enjoyed rereading it once more and have a daughter who I named Yonita 😊
November 21, 2014
an explosive route to Caracas ...
Bizarre!
Bizarre!
May 24, 2015
Für Fans alter Abenteuerromane sehr zu empfehlen. Leider sind die Werke von Dennis Wheatley im deutschsprachigen Raum eher unbekannt.
Read
January 9, 2015Not actually this edition. One of many books from this book club and this author. Not sure when I finished this, but guessing 1973
September 22, 2016
Awesomely pulpy high-seas monster melodrama.
Read
October 19, 2018The premise sounded better than it was.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews