Define Regarding Books The Lost World (Professor Challenger #1)
| Title | : | The Lost World (Professor Challenger #1) |
| Author | : | Arthur Conan Doyle |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Special Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 272 pages |
| Published | : | January 14th 2003 by Modern Library (first published 1912) |
| Categories | : | Classics. Science Fiction. Fiction. Adventure. Fantasy. Audiobook. Animals. Dinosaurs |
Arthur Conan Doyle
Paperback | Pages: 272 pages Rating: 3.92 | 52928 Users | 2026 Reviews
Narration Conducive To Books The Lost World (Professor Challenger #1)
Move aside, Sherlock…Sir Arthur has conjured a protagonist who's an even more arrogant assbag than you.Everyone...the intrepid, the indefatigable, the insufferable Professor G.E. Challenger…
If, like me, you enjoy characters that are gruff, prideful curmudgeonly sorts, than you will have fun with this guy. He is a serious hoot. Trust me.
Physically, Prof. Challenger is a funhouse mirror reflection of Mr. Holmes. Instead of a tall, lanky, clean-shaven gentlemen who calmly condescends to the world around him, we have a short, barrel-chested, physically imposing caveman, with a booming voice and serious anger management issues.
Tell me he doesn't look like the spitting image of Bluto...from Popeye. Hmmm?
Intellectually, however, Challenger is definitely a pea from the same pompous pod as Doyle's most famous literary creation. Zero charm, no social graces and a chip on his shoulder the size of Gibraltar. He is a serious piece of unrestrained windbaggery that pins the needle on the Arrogasshat Pricktardo Scale.
And he doled out some serious happy to me while I reading.
Like Holmes, of whom I am a screaming fanboy, I found G.E. Challenger to be enormously fun to listen to as he waxed vaingloriously about his greatness and scientific acumen. While I wouldn't want to spend any real-life time socializing with the ill-mannered prig, as a literary companion he's an absolute blast.
I can think of no better way to introduce you to the professor, and his over-the-top disagreeability, than the method employed by Doyle to unveil him to readers of The Lost World. When reporter Edward Malone (hiding his true vocation) requests a meeting with the reclusive scientist, this is the letter he receives in reply.
SIR,Yes...he's like that. Plus he's violent, quick-tempered, pig-headed, racist, elitist, and is not above putting his wife in "time out" when he feels she has misbehaved. Yeah, he's pretty much the whole package of awesome. Once I read that, I knew I was in for something loaded with win.
I have duly received your note, in which you claim to endorse my views, although I am not aware that they are dependent upon endorsement either from you or anyone else. You have ventured to use the word “speculation” with regard to my statement upon the subject of Darwinism, and I would call your attention to the fact that such a word in such a connection is offensive to a degree. The context convinces me, however, that you have sinned rather through ignorance and tactlessness than through malice, so I am content to pass the matter by. You quote an isolated sentence from my lecture, and appear to have some difficulty in understanding it. I should have thought that only a sub-human intelligence could have failed to grasp the point, but if it really needs amplification I shall consent to see you at the hour named, though visits and visitors of every sort are exceeding distasteful to me. As to your suggestion that I may modify my opinion, I would have you know that it is not my habit to do so after a deliberate expression of my mature views. You will kindly show the envelope of this letter to my man, Austin, when you call, as he has to take every precaution to shield me from the intrusive rascals who call themselves “journalists.”
Yours faithfully,
GEORGE EDWARD CHALLENGER.
PLOT SUMMARY:
Not sure this is really necessary, so I will keep this brief. As the title suggests, this is one of the archetypes of the “lost world” genre and Sir Arthur brings his usual skill to its execution. A journalist (the aforementioned Edward Malone) eager to impress his girlfriend, requests a dangerous assignment. He lands a doozy when an expedition is planned to prove (or disprove) Challenger's claim of having discovered an isolated region of the Amazon inhabited by dinosaurs, pterodactyls and other extinct and exotic creatures. Together with Challenger, another professor (the obligatory skeptic), and Lord Roxton, the standard rough and ready adventurer, the four embark on their fateful quest.
Frills, thrills, spills, chills and kills ensue...in abundance.
THOUGHTS:
This is by the numbers storytelling for this sub genre, but Doyle’s talent and engaging prose make it a lot of fun. It's a given that the fantastic elements of the story have, to an extent, lost their ability to deliver the WOW that they originally produced, and the book's sense of depicting the truly wondrous does suffer a bit as a result. Still, I was pleasantly surprised at how engaging the narrative was and how much fun I had listening to Challenger and his colleagues expound with fervor on their dated scientific theories.
Excellent storytelling has no expiration date, and Doyle, like contemporaries H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, has the ability to engage and captivate his audience with the wonders of a bygone age.
I enjoyed myself, Sir Arthur. Thank you.
3.5 stars. Recommended!!
Mention Books Concering The Lost World (Professor Challenger #1)
| Original Title: | The Lost World |
| ISBN: | 0812967259 (ISBN13: 9780812967258) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | Professor Challenger #1, Masterworks of Adventure #2 |
| Characters: | Professor Challenger, Ed Malone, Lord John Roxton, Professor Summerlee, Zambo |
| Setting: | London, England South America |
Rating Regarding Books The Lost World (Professor Challenger #1)
Ratings: 3.92 From 52928 Users | 2026 ReviewsEvaluation Regarding Books The Lost World (Professor Challenger #1)
What a wonderful novel! This was part of a children's classics set that I've had for years, and I felt something adventure-like, especially after The Thirty-Nine Steps. And it definitely fulfilled my adventure urge!Very much like Jules Vernes' novels, The Lost World details the exploration of a hidden area in the South American jungle, where somehow the prehistoric dinosaurs and reptiles have survived. Narrated by the journalist Ed Malone, it is honestly a wonderful readI was sitting at the edgeOne of the most pleasant aspects about reading adventures like those of Doyle, Wells, Kipling, and Haggard is the particular presence of the characters, their little joys and quarrels and concerns. There's this humorous self-awareness throughout the story that makes the whole thing read as if its being told, given over to the reader in a particular voice. Certainly, this can be carried too far and made condescending, as with C.S. Lewis, but it goes to show what a winking authorial presence can
One of the two original, popular "dinosaur" novels.By Charles van Buren on May 2, 2018Format: Kindle Edition|Verified PurchaseThis review of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's THE LOST WORLD is from the Amazon Classics edition, December 5, 2017. Reviews of this edition also appear at the Amazon listing for a different edition published by Amazon Digital Services, March 30, 2011. Appearing under both lisings are multiple reviews of Michael Crichton's THE LOST WORLD. For instance, of the 35 one star reviews
What a wonderful novel! This was part of a children's classics set that I've had for years, and I felt something adventure-like, especially after The Thirty-Nine Steps. And it definitely fulfilled my adventure urge!Very much like Jules Vernes' novels, The Lost World details the exploration of a hidden area in the South American jungle, where somehow the prehistoric dinosaurs and reptiles have survived. Narrated by the journalist Ed Malone, it is honestly a wonderful readI was sitting at the edge
Book Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.comAfter his initial success Conan Doyle spent much of his literary career trying to break free from Sherlock Holmes but public pressure and the need for a good income kept the two inexorably bound. His historical novels found little success but he achieved more with his science fiction adventures of which The Lost World was by far the most successful. And rightly so. This tale of a hidden world is full of action with many mysteries to ponder. Just
If in 100 years I am only known as the man who invented Sherlock Holmes then I will have considered my life a failure. - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle This review will contain minor spoilers. Although Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson, Mycroft Holmes, and Professor James Moriarty are Doyle's most known creations, Professor Challenger, the hot-tempered scientist is another character that many readers will be familiar with. This is the first of the Professor Challenger series and the only one that I had
Who doesn't wish dinosaurs weren't still around? Well, maybe not the big bitey ones, but how cool would that be?! Hell, I'd even take the huge, face-ripping ones too if it were an all-or-nothing deal. I figure a little survival of the fittest would do this world good. Since that's not likely to happen during my lifetime, I'll console myself with movies and books. The Lost World is a good place to be for those of us looking to get lost in a dino world. This is a forerunner of the what-if history
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