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Rick Brant Science-Adventures #11
The Wailing Octopus
A Rick Brant Science Adventure 11 The Wailing Octopus By John Blaine [c]1956 Hard Cover Grosset & Dunlap 8811
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1956
7 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
John Blaine
166 books9 followers"John Blaine" was a pseudonym of Harold Leland Goodwin and Peter J. Harkins.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 3, 2018
The Wailing Octopus is the eleventh Rick Brant adventure, and is another good one in the series. Rick and Scotty fly off to the Caribbean, along with Drs. Briotti and Zircon, in search of pirate treasure. They soon become entangled with foreign spies and a hurricane and Steve Ames and the U.S. Navy, and it's a non-stop race to the treasure. (Except the octopus doesn't really wail.) The Rick Brant books were a series of boys' (today they'd just be labeled "y.a.") scientific (originally called "electronic") adventures that were written between the late '40s and '60s. They were in many ways superior to the better-known Tom Swift, Jr. books; they were more realistic and included descriptions of projects and puzzles that engaged the reader, as well as having more down-to-earth settings and set-ups and more realistic and likable characters. Rick lived on Spindrift Island, the location of a small but superior scientific facility headed by his father, Hartson Brant, along with his friend Scotty (who was originally an ex-Marine veteran of World War Two), his younger sister Barby, his mother (who was never named other than "Mom" or "Mrs. Brant" so far as I can recall, and a large and expanding likable cast of scientists, and including Dismal (Diz), the family dog. Spindrift was a lovely and wonderful location, as detailed by the map on the endpapers in each volume, with a farm, a rocket launcher, cliffs and woods, a pirate's field, a dock and airfield, an orchard, a large house and laboratory facility; in short, everything a right-thinking young person of the 1950's could ever need. There was a fine and ever-changing cast of supporting characters in addition to the Island residents, including Chahda (an enterprising and bright young friend from India), and Agent Steve Ames, government liaison beyond compare, whom I always believed to be related to Harlan Ames, the security chief in the Tom Swift, Jr. books. Typically the stories started at home, on Spindrift, and then took the boys to some remote and exotic location in the company of one or more of the cast of scientists, where they would have adventures, solve mysteries, and perform valuable scientific experiments and research. They're fun and exciting stories despite inevitable dating, and I am enjoying revisiting them.
December 27, 2025
Take Rick and Scotty, a couple of adventurous teens, add Doctors Hobart Zircon and Tony Briotti (a nuclear scientist and archeologist respectively), toss in a centuries-old mystery of a missing “golden statue of St. Francis,” mix in the exotic locale of the Virgin Islands, add scuba diving and underwater exploration, a mysterious brass globe, an even more mysterious wailing octopus in a cave, and you have the makings of a mid-century boys’ mystery-adventure tale.
One of the couple of things I really like about this book is the way the author subliminally doles out history lessons. For example, Rick and Scotty learned that they would be staying
“at one of [the island’s] oldest hotels, Alexander's Rest. Named for Alexander Hamilton." Moreover, “Rick remembered that the Revolutionary hero had been brought up in the Virgin Islands.”
How about a geometry lesson? In this instance
Rick took the man's legs and pulled them backward so that the shadow's whole weight was against his hands, his outstretched body forming the hypotenuse of a right triangle.”
Readers are presented with a clever way of cursing without being overly offensive:
”Scotty surfaced next to Rick, pulled the snorkel from his mouth, and gritted, "Swim away. Let him use you for a target. I'm going to get that son of a spiny sea walrus.”
Another point I like are the little lessons the reader gets on scuba diving tips:
“His face mask was next. He spat into it, then rubbed the saliva over the glass. This rather unsanitary-appearing trick was essential, since saliva is an excellent antifogging compound needed to help keep the glass clear underwater. Then he rinsed his mask lightly and adjusted the head straps, leaving the mask on his forehead.”
There are underwater battles with barracudas and nefarious criminals. There are rudimentary radio communications and the typical tropical storm readers should expect. There are underwater mishaps and danger. Of course, there is the neatly tied up dénouement to bring this mystery adventure to a happy close.
I liked this short book. The premise is believable; the characters, though maybe a little stereotypical, are developed nonetheless; and the lessons in history, scuba diving, honesty, friendships, and self-reliance are good for readers from teenaged years and up.
“The Wailing Octopus” was published in 1956.
One of the couple of things I really like about this book is the way the author subliminally doles out history lessons. For example, Rick and Scotty learned that they would be staying
“at one of [the island’s] oldest hotels, Alexander's Rest. Named for Alexander Hamilton." Moreover, “Rick remembered that the Revolutionary hero had been brought up in the Virgin Islands.”
How about a geometry lesson? In this instance
Rick took the man's legs and pulled them backward so that the shadow's whole weight was against his hands, his outstretched body forming the hypotenuse of a right triangle.”
Readers are presented with a clever way of cursing without being overly offensive:
”Scotty surfaced next to Rick, pulled the snorkel from his mouth, and gritted, "Swim away. Let him use you for a target. I'm going to get that son of a spiny sea walrus.”
Another point I like are the little lessons the reader gets on scuba diving tips:
“His face mask was next. He spat into it, then rubbed the saliva over the glass. This rather unsanitary-appearing trick was essential, since saliva is an excellent antifogging compound needed to help keep the glass clear underwater. Then he rinsed his mask lightly and adjusted the head straps, leaving the mask on his forehead.”
There are underwater battles with barracudas and nefarious criminals. There are rudimentary radio communications and the typical tropical storm readers should expect. There are underwater mishaps and danger. Of course, there is the neatly tied up dénouement to bring this mystery adventure to a happy close.
I liked this short book. The premise is believable; the characters, though maybe a little stereotypical, are developed nonetheless; and the lessons in history, scuba diving, honesty, friendships, and self-reliance are good for readers from teenaged years and up.
“The Wailing Octopus” was published in 1956.
August 14, 2017
WHY have I never heard of this series until a few weeks ago? They are SO much better than THE HARDY BOYS!
The fact that several books in the series are available FREE ONLINE is just an added bonus.
The fact that several books in the series are available FREE ONLINE is just an added bonus.
July 24, 2020
The scientific topic for this adventure is scuba diving. Rick and friends go down to the Caribbean to search for a wreck that has a special statue of St. Francis as part of its cargo. They suspect it be a gold statue!
While diving they come across a group of suspicious divers who are planting odd devices on the ocean floor. It turns out they are planting sonar machines to spy on the U.S Navy. Rick finds out about it and alerts the proper authorities and all is well.
They find the statue, which is only made of lead. It is special because it was blessed by the Pope before it was sent on its trip to the new world.
While diving they come across a group of suspicious divers who are planting odd devices on the ocean floor. It turns out they are planting sonar machines to spy on the U.S Navy. Rick finds out about it and alerts the proper authorities and all is well.
They find the statue, which is only made of lead. It is special because it was blessed by the Pope before it was sent on its trip to the new world.
November 13, 2022
I really debated on giving this two stars because I struggled mightily with how blasè the adult characters were about continuing the vacation and leaving two teenage boys alone after multiple murder attempts. However, I'm reading a book that's deep in this series and, no doubt, this has happened before, multiple times, and this *is* a teenage adventure mystery series. Similar things probably happened to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, but it's been so long since I read those that I've forgotten.
As for the rest, I enjoyed the historical tidbits, learning about scuba diving, and the truth about the shipwreck's treasure.
As for the rest, I enjoyed the historical tidbits, learning about scuba diving, and the truth about the shipwreck's treasure.
November 12, 2021
I first read this in 5th grade (1961). All my friends were reading Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, and other juvenile series, but my parents signed me up for a book club and I got some of the Rick Brant series. (Which I'd never heard of.) All I remembered was the underwater stuff. Rereading it now, I'm amazed at how accurate the scuba detail is. Overall, not bad writing and not a bad story, even for adult readers.
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March 23, 2023Judged this book by its cover at the used book sale on campus. Kind of like a knockoff store-brand Hardy Boys on a breezy island adventure. Nice!
September 9, 2023
Another fun adventure book that I wish I had discovered as a kid. I would have loved the entire series.
May 24, 2020
This is one of my favorites in the series. Partly because it was one of the first I read.It also got me interested in snorkeling and marine biology.
Since I read it 50-some years ago, I have been to the US Virgin Islands and wandered around Charlotte Amalie. On that trip I stayed on St. Croix.
While snorkeling there I ran into a small school of bright blue fish, not unlike Rick in this book. I also had the same experience as Rick regarding visibility as I started snorkeling in the lakes of Central Wisconsin where 3 feet of visibility was a good day and the water was pretty chilly.
Since I read it 50-some years ago, I have been to the US Virgin Islands and wandered around Charlotte Amalie. On that trip I stayed on St. Croix.
While snorkeling there I ran into a small school of bright blue fish, not unlike Rick in this book. I also had the same experience as Rick regarding visibility as I started snorkeling in the lakes of Central Wisconsin where 3 feet of visibility was a good day and the water was pretty chilly.
September 19, 2015
Enjoyable enough as 1950s boys' adventure stories go, but nothing special. Well, apart from one wonderful chapter title: How Sings The Gay Sardine?
March 27, 2017
You can read my review at http://tims-reviews.blogspot.com/2017....
May 2, 2017
The Wailing Octopus was published in the fifties and has the usual misconceptions about women of the day. One of the characters Barby is only described as "pretty" and the male characters need to explain science concepts to her. It is a pity that Barby is never included in the adventure.
That being said, this science adventure series written for boys has so much going for it. In my literacy volunteer work, I often had boys stumble over the meaning of phrases and words out of date written into the Hardy Boys series. I found myself trying to explain more than the boys were reading.
This is not so with the John Blaine books. I have never come upon phrases, words, or even situations that needed explaining. The author does a brilliant job with technical subjects and making them known to the masses.
Even though I spent over ten years in California, I know nothing about scuba diving. The Wailing Octopus gave me a new appreciation and interest in exploring the sea. This book is high adventure from start to finish.
If you or someone you know loves the ocean The Wailing Octopus would be an enjoyable read. Even though this book is part of a series, it is also a stand alone book, and could be read first. It is appropriate for all ages. Happy reading!
That being said, this science adventure series written for boys has so much going for it. In my literacy volunteer work, I often had boys stumble over the meaning of phrases and words out of date written into the Hardy Boys series. I found myself trying to explain more than the boys were reading.
This is not so with the John Blaine books. I have never come upon phrases, words, or even situations that needed explaining. The author does a brilliant job with technical subjects and making them known to the masses.
Even though I spent over ten years in California, I know nothing about scuba diving. The Wailing Octopus gave me a new appreciation and interest in exploring the sea. This book is high adventure from start to finish.
If you or someone you know loves the ocean The Wailing Octopus would be an enjoyable read. Even though this book is part of a series, it is also a stand alone book, and could be read first. It is appropriate for all ages. Happy reading!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews