"Doyle's modesty of language conceals a profound tolerance of the human
complexity"-John Le Carré
"Every writer owes something to Holmes." -T.S. Eliot
Although Sherlock Holmes is Arthur Conan Doyle's most popular
character, the introduction of Professor Challenger in The Lost World
offers readers one of popular fictions most offbeat characters ever
penned; In this thrilling adventure story the eccentric and ornery
paleontologist leads an expedition into the deep jungle of the Amazon
basin in search of prehistoric creatures. in the process they are
taken prisoner by a tribe of ape-men and are caught in the middle of a
conflict between their captors and a local indigenous tribe.
The Lost World is narrated by the unwavering young reporter Edward
Malone, who yearns for a spectacular adventure in order to attract the
affections of a love interest. When the journalistic opportunity arises
to cover the story of the strange expedition of Professor Challenger,
Malone accepts the dangerous assignment. The scientific and professional
reputation of Professor Challenger had been compromised by his insistent
theory that a long extinct species of prehistoric creatures was thriving
deep in the Amazon. In the interest in reclaiming his credibility,
Professor Challenger enlists four men, including Malone, to prove his
theory.
Once in the Amazon, the expedition is joined by a flank of native guides
who lead the group through the dangers of the jungle and to the remote
plateau, which is completely cut off from the surroundings. When the
four British explorers cross on a precarious bridge, one of the local
guides destroys the overpass in an act of betrayal, trapping the four
men on the mysterious plateau. Professor Challenger, Malone, and the
other two men set up a camp, and in very little time discover the
existence of the great beasts. Gripped in the fear of the great danger
of the creatures, their bad fortunes turn worse when everyone but Malone
are taken as prisoners by a strange tribe of Ape-Men who also inhibit
the plateau. Still in captivity, the men are caught during a violent
conflict between the Ape-men and a rival faction of indigenous
inhabitants, yet they also have the opportunity for escape. The Lost
World is among Sir Conan Doyle's finest achievements, a thrilling
science-fiction classic that continue to captivate readers.
With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript,
this edition of The Lost World is both modern and readable.
