The Lost World
Genre: Classic Sci-fi
Published: 1912
Book description (Good Reads): It's London, 1907. Journalist Edward Malone, rejected by the woman he loves because he is too prosaic, decides to go in search of adventure and fame to prove himself worthy of her. Soon after, he meets Professor George Challenger, a scientist who claims to have discovered a 'lost world' populated by pterodactyls and other prehistoric monsters.
Thoughts:
Like any classic writing, it does take a little bit to get into it.
The characters are a bit dated, taking too seriously the giving of the word.
Only men are mentioned as main characters and the few couples are not something that anyone can really applaud. A very vain young woman who does not care about who she becomes a wife to, no need to get to know the man, she wants an image she already had pictured, if the man does not fit the picture she created then the man is not husband material. Very foolish opinion but oh well.
The plot is very predictable but in itself is not the plot but the adventure of the explorers. They face unimaginable dangerous, it is almost too fantastical. Also, the fact that the whole story is told through letters that our journalist wrote for the paper and meant for the editor of his paper. It is an interesting way to get the story. In retrospect, if he had actually written in letters, I would have been more surprised that he managed to write so many details, what patience to write down all the interactions and their conversations.
The characters are all not the typical perfect men, annoying (personal observation), self-righteous, violent, uncaring of others; actually, most of the description fits Profesor Challenger. In some points you actually want them to fail so at least the professor can be taken down a notch or two.
The group of men who are in no way fighters, they show bravery, courage and exceptional abilities to survive fights, wilderness and even fights between savages.
Everything feels too convenient but it is still an enjoyable read.
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