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= The_Lost_World_(Doyle_novel) =
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Introduction
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'The Lost World' is an adventure and science fiction novel by British
writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle recounting an expedition to a remote
plateau in the Amazon basin of South America where dinosaurs and other
prehistoric animals still survive, along with a tribe of vicious
ape-like creatures that are in conflict with a group of indigenous
Indians. The work introduces the character of Professor Challenger,
who leads the expedition (and who would appear in later Conan Doyle
stories), and is narrated in the first person by the journalist member
(Edward Malone) of the exploration party. 'The Lost World' appeared in
serial form in the 'Strand Magazine', illustrated by New-Zealand-born
artist Harry Rountree, during the months of April through November
1912 and also was serialized in magazines in the United States from
March to November 1912. Hodder & Stoughton published the first
book edition in October 1912 in Great Britain (London), with printings
as well in the United States (New York) and in Canada (Toronto).
When he was working on 'The Lost World', Doyle explained to his editor
Herbert Greenhough Smith: "My ambition is to do for the boys' book
what Sherlock Holmes did for the detective story". Doyle cast the
novel in the mode of the popular 19th century "boy’s adventure story"
genre of Robert Louis Stevenson and H. Rider Haggard, but written to
appeal to adults as well, as declared in his opening epigraph:
In developing the novel, Doyle drew on factual sources such as
zoologist Ray Lankester's book 'Extinct Animals' and the accounts of
explorers, most notably his friend Percy Fawcett. He also took direct
inspiration from earlier fictional works by Jules Verne (in
particular, 'Journey to the Center of the Earth', in which humans
encounter prehistoric creatures living deep inside the planet), and
British adventure fantasies about finding lost kingdoms and mysterious
ancient civilizations in faraway locations such as Haggard's 'King
Solomon's Mines' and 'She: A History of Adventure'. Adding to the mix,
Doyle skillfully integrated humor into the story, satirizing, among
other things, academic rivalries and sensational journalism--including
a Foreword announcing withdrawal of a supposed injunction and libel
suit against publication of the book by Professor Challenger.
The public success of 'The Lost World' (which was translated into
multiple languages soon after), boosted by the popularity of the
silent motion picture version from 1925, led to the term "lost world"
being extended to an entire subgenre of earlier and later adventure,
fantasy, and science fiction works set in distant or hidden locations
where ancient creatures, races, or civilizations continue to exist in
modern times. 'The Lost World' is widely considered one of Conan
Doyle’s best novels for its exciting narrative, imaginative setting,
and vivid characters, setting a standard for similar later adventure
stories. It has never been out of print.
Plot summary
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Edward Malone, a young reporter for the 'Daily Gazette', asks his
editor for a dangerous assignment to impress the woman he loves,
Gladys, who wishes for a great man capable of brave deeds and actions.
His task is to approach the notorious Professor Challenger, who
frightens the popular press intensely and physically assaults
intrusive journalists. The subject is to be his recent South American
expedition which, surrounded by controversy, guarantees a hostile
reaction. As a direct approach would be instantly rebuffed, Malone
instead masquerades as an earnest student. On meeting the professor he
is startled by his intimidating physique, but believes his ruse is
succeeding. However, Challenger had really seen through the
masquerade, and after confirming Malone’s scientific knowledge is
non-existent, erupts in anger and forcibly throws him out.Maple
White's sketch of a living 'Stegosaurus'
However, Malone earns his respect by refusing to press charges with a
policeman who saw his violent ejection into the street. Challenger
ushers him back inside and, extracting promises of confidentiality,
eventually reveals he has discovered living dinosaurs in South
America, following up an expedition by a now-deceased previous
American explorer named Maple White. At a tumultuous public meeting in
which Challenger experiences further ridicule (most notably from a
professional rival, Professor Summerlee), Malone volunteers for an
expedition to verify the discoveries. His companions are to be
Professor Summerlee, and Lord John Roxton, an adventurous hunter who
helped end slavery on the Amazon; the notches on his rifle showing how
many slavers he killed doing so.
The group explores the entire base of the plateau to find a way to the
top and discover that a former route up is now blocked by a rock
slide. They also encounter human bones at one spot at the base of the
cliff, identified as James Colver, Maple White’s companion, who, it
would seem, somehow fell to his death. With the cliffs to the plateau
apparently unscalable, an adjacent pinnacle is climbable but separated
by a wide gap. Challenger determines that a tall tree on the pinnacle
can be cut down and used as a bridge, which allows the four explorers
to cross over to the plateau. However, they are almost immediately
trapped on the other side, thanks to the treachery of one of their
hired porters, Gomez--who, as it turns out, is a former slaver whose
brother had previously been killed by Roxton during his anti-slavery
activities. He takes his revenge by dropping the tree off the cliff,
stranding the explorers on the plateau. Roxton shoots Gomez and they
hear the scream and then the thud of the falling body. The other guide
is subsequently killed by another porter, a formerly enslaved black
man named Zambo, who remains loyal to the party: but the latter is
unable to do much more to help, other than send some of the company's
supplies over by rope.The group encountering '[[Iguanodon']]
The explorers investigate the wonders of the lost world, finding a
herd of Iguanodons in a glade. They narrowly escape an attack from
pterodactyls after the party comes upon a rookery around a swampy pit
in a former volcanic blow-hole. Although barely escaping with their
lives, Roxton takes great interest in nearby blue clay
deposits.page=77
At night a ferocious theropod is about to break through the protective
fence of thorn bushes built around their camp; Roxton averts disaster
by bravely dashing at it, thrusting a blazing torch at its face to
scare it away. The next day, they find remains of Iguanodons with
"marks of savage teeth and of enormous claws". Although it would
suggest the work of a sabre-toothed tiger, Challenger reasons it was a
larger and more reptilian creature which he suspects is an Allosaurus;
though Summerlee suspects a Megalosaurus.
The night after, Malone ventures out alone and studies fauna near the
central lake; including Glyptodons, Irish elks, and a Stegosaurus. He
barely escapes the Megalosaurus and falls into a deep pit dug to trap
and impale animals while running in the dark; proof of humans on the
plateau.
Roxton and Malone take their rifles to mount a rescue. They arrive at
the village of the ape-men and see an Indian hurled off the cliff to
the delight of the hairy creatures. Professor Challenger apparently
enjoys special status as a captive because of his physical resemblance
to the king of the ape-men, and tries in vain to save Summerlee from a
similar death. Lord Roxton shoots the king dead at the start of the
rescue attack, and he and Malone fire repeatedly, preventing the
ape-men from throwing Summerlee and the remaining captured tribe
members over the edge.
One of the saved Indians is a young prince of the tribe and the
surviving tribe members take the party back to their village. With the
help of the explorers’ firepower, they return to defeat the "ape-men",
slaughtering all the adult males, with most being driven off the
cliff. After witnessing the power of their guns, the tribe wishes to
keep the explorers on the plateau. During their time with the tribe,
Roxton plans how to capture a pterodactyl chick at Challenger's
request, using a protective wooden cage against the adult
pterodactyls. They also encounter more local fauna including a
Phorusrhacos, a Toxodon, an Ichthyosaurus, and a Plesiosaurus. Wanting
to leave and return to civilization, the explorers are helped by the
young prince they saved, who gives them a crude map of the caves in
the hillside near the tribe. With the map, the explorers are able to
find a tunnel leading back to the outside world. They escape by night,
descending on a rope.
Upon return to England, despite full reports from Malone many
detractors continue to dismiss the expedition's account, much as they
had Challenger's original story--although Summerlee, having been on
the expedition, has now switched sides and is supporting Challenger.
Anticipating this, at a public meeting at Queen's Hall Challenger
produces the young pterodactyl as proof, transfixing the audience and
leaving them in no doubt of the truth. The explorers are instantly
feted as heroes, and on a wave of adulation find themselves carried
shoulder-high from the hall by cheering crowds. The pterodactyl, in
the confusion, makes its escape and is witnessed several times at
different locations around London, causing consternation wherever it
goes, but is last seen heading off to the southwest in the probable
direction of its home.
At a private celebratory dinner, Roxton reveals to the others that the
blue clay contained diamonds. He had been tipped off to the
possibility, by the recollection of a similar feature in South Africa,
and managed to extract about £200,000 worth (£23 million in 2021),
which is to be split between them. Challenger plans to open a private
museum with his share. Summerlee plans to retire and categorise
fossils. Malone returns to his love, Gladys, hoping she will recognise
his achievements. Instead, he finds she has now changed her mind and
married a very ordinary man instead, an insignificant clerk.
Astonished at this turn of events, and with nothing to keep him in
London, he decides to accompany Roxton back to the lost world, which
the explorers earlier had named "Maple White Land" in honour of the
American who found it.
Characters
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* Professor George Edward Challenger - An energetic British zoologist
with a volatile temper; his hairy, burly body and his thick beard are
a source of humor in the story, including a resemblance to the king of
the ape-men, who treats him like a brother after he is captured
* Edward D. Malone - A reporter at the 'Daily Gazette' of Irish
background; an athletic rugby player
* McArdle - Malone's editor at the 'Daily Gazette'
* Professor Summerlee - An older British zoologist who is skeptical of
Challenger’s claims
* Lord John Roxton - A widely traveled adventurer and skilled big-game
hunter, an opponent of slavery
* Gomez - Brother to an enslaver whom Roxton killed
* Manuel - Gomez's friend
* Zambo - South American black man loyal to the explorers
* Gladys Hungerton - Edward Malone's love interest
* Jessie Challenger - Challenger's wife, who objects to his
belligerent behavior
* Maple White - Deceased explorer who discovered the lost world
* The Accala Indians - The native human inhabitants of the lost world
plateau
Prehistoric animals encountered
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* Iguanodon - Large plant-eating dinosaurs: "they looked like
monstrous kangaroos, twenty feet in length, and with skins like black
crocodiles"; treated like cattle by the tribe of Indians living on the
plateau.
* Unidentified theropod - Large meat-eating dinosaurs that Challenger
and Summerlee debate if they are 'Megalosaurus' or 'Allosaurus'; oddly
described as: "In shape they were like horrible toads, and moved in a
succession of springs, but in size they were of an incredible bulk,
larger than the largest elephant"; their "blotched and warty skins
were of a curious fish-like iridescence."
* Stegosaurus - Armored plant-eating dinosaur, sketched by Maple White
in his notebook, sighted by Malone near the lake at night.
* Pterodactyls - Pterosaurs or flying reptiles; Challenger and
Summerlee debate if they were 'Pterodactylus' or 'Dimorphodon'.
* Plesiosaurus - Long-necked swimming reptile seen on the shore of the
lake, much to Summerlee's delight
* Ichthyosaurus - Fish-like aquatic reptile caught in a net in the
lake by the tribe .
* Megaloceros - Described as a huge deer resembling the "Irish elk"
but without using a scientific name.
* Glyptodon - Described as like large armadillos, but without using a
scientific name.
* Toxodon - Described as a: "giant ten-foot guinea pig, with
projecting chisel teeth."
* Smilodon - Mentioned to been a possible candidate for the attack of
the Iguanodon.
* Phorusrhacos - A giant flightless predatory bird called "phororacos"
that chases and attacks Challenger; killed by Lord Roxton, who takes
the skull as a trophy.
* Ape-men - Anthropoid apes covered in reddish hair, described as: "an
advance upon the pithecanthropus of Java, and as coming therefore
nearer than any known form to that hypothetical creation, the missing
link."
References in other works
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In addition to lending its title to this subgenre, the title of
Doyle's work was reused by Michael Crichton in his 1995 novel 'The
Lost World', a sequel to 'Jurassic Park', and its film adaptation,
'The Lost World: Jurassic Park'.
Greg Bear's 1998 novel 'Dinosaur Summer' is a sequel to 'The Lost
World', set in an alternate history 1947. In the context of Bear's
novel, 'The Lost World' was a nonfiction work published by Doyle as
recounted to him by Professor Challenger.
References to actual history, geography and current science
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Doyle was aware of his good friend Percy Harrison Fawcett's expedition
to the Huanchaca Plateau in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park,
Bolivia. Fawcett organised several expeditions to delimit the border
between Bolivia and Brazil - an area of potential conflict between
both countries. Doyle attended Fawcett's lecture to the Royal
Geographical Society on 13 February 1911 and was impressed by the tale
about the remote "province of Caupolican" (present day Huanchaca
Plateau) in Bolivia - a dangerous area with impenetrable forests,
where Fawcett saw "monstrous tracks of unknown origin".
The characters of Ed Malone and Lord John Roxton were modelled,
respectively, on the journalist E. D. Morel and the diplomat Roger
Casement, leaders of the Congo Free State reform campaign (the Congo
Reform Association), which Doyle supported. In 1911, just when Doyle
was writing the book, Casement made a second such anti-slavery reform
campaign in the Amazonian part of Peru. It is possible that Malone was
also based on Bertram Fletcher Robinson, a close friend of Doyle's,
because like Robinson, Malone was raised in the West Country, exceeded
six feet in height, became an accomplished rugby union player, worked
as a London-based journalist, and he loved a woman called Gladys.
Furthermore, Fletcher Robinson and Fawcett both attended Newton Abbot
Proprietary School between 1882 and 1885, which was a small
institution, so they were likely acquainted with each other.
Fawcett wrote in his posthumously published memoirs: "Monsters from
the dawn of Man's existence might still roam these heights
unchallenged, imprisoned and protected by unscalable cliffs. So
thought Conan Doyle when later in London I spoke of these hills and
showed photographs of them. He mentioned an idea for a novel on
Central South America and asked for information, which I told him I
should be glad to supply. The fruit of it was his 'Lost World' in
1912, appearing as a serial in the 'Strand Magazine', and subsequently
in the form of a book that achieved widespread popularity."
A 1996 'Science Fiction Studies' review of an annotated edition of the
novel suggested that another inspiration for the story may have been
the 1890s contested political history of the Pacaraima Mountains
plateaux, and Mount Roraima in particular.Cover of the German
translation of 'The Lost World' from 1926Article in 'Science and
Invention' on the making of the film 'The Lost World' (1925)
Film
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Theatrical films:
*'The Lost World' (1925; film)
*'The Lost World' (1960; film)
Direct-to-video films:
*'The Lost World' (1992; film)
**'Return to the Lost World' (1992; sequel film)
*'The Lost World' (1998; film)
*'King of the Lost World' (2005)
Television
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*'Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World' (1999-2002; TV series)
* 'Dinosaur Island' (2002 animated film)
*'Adventures in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World' (2002)
(Canadian-French-Luxembourger animated series)
*'The Lost World' (2001; television film)
Documentary
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*'The Real Lost World' (2006)
Audio
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*'The Lost World' (1944; radio)
**John Dickson Carr as Narrator (all characters)
*'The Lost World' (1949; BBC Light Programme radio serial)
**With Abraham Sofaer, Ivor Barnard, Lewis Stringer, Cyril Gardiner
*'Dinosaurs!' (1966, an audio dramatic version of 'The Lost World'
adapted and directed by Ronald Liss and recorded by permission of the
Estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; MGM/Leo the Lion Records C/CH-1016)
** Basil Rathbone as Professor Challenger
** Leo Marion as Dr. Summerlee
** Peter Fernandez as Edward Malone
***(The character of Lord John Roxton was not included in this
adaptation.)
*'The Lost World' (1975 BBC Radio 4 Classic Serial)
**Francis de Wolff as Professor Challenger
**Gerald Harper as Lord John Roxton
**Kevin McHugh as Edward Malone
**Carleton Hobbs as Professor Summerlee
*'The Lost World' (2011; BBC Radio 4 Classic Serial)
**David Robb as Professor Challenger
**Jamie Glover as Lord John Roxton
**Jonathan Forbes as Edward Malone
**Jasmine Hyde as Dr. Diana Summerlee (a female substitute for
Professor Summerlee in the original novel)
**Jane Whittenshaw as Edith Challenger
**Nyasha Hatendi as Maple White
**Vinicius Salles as Querioz
See also
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* Lost world
* 1912 in science fiction
* 'Up' (2009 film)
External links
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*
*
* .
* [
https://archive.org/details/lost_world 'The Lost World' (1925)]
available for free download from Internet Archive.
*
* [
https://archive.org/details/lostworldbeingac00doylrich 'The Lost
World' (1912)] available at Internet Archive.
License
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Original Article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lost_World_(Doyle_novel)
