Independently Published

The Lost World Independently Published

The Lost World is unified by the themes of discovery and reward. It is an exceptionally fine novel because these themes are worked out in depth. Discovery is the process of the novel. Ostensibly, the expedition to the jungles of Brazil is undertaken for the purpose of furthering knowledge, of discovering new places and long-hidden animal life. The real purposes of the explorers are not so altruistic; they hope for rewards. Challenger's rewards would be fame and the shaming of his detractors, Malone hopes to win the hand in marriage of Gladys Hungerton. Lord John Roston seems restlessly in quest of "masculine virility." And Professor Summerlee hopes to prove that "Professor Challenger is an absolute fraud."Only Professor Challenger finds what he wants. He is so determined to have his way that he gives the impression that he would have built his own dinosaurs had he not found them. Malone's discoveries are more unexpected. He finds courage in himself, and his loss of Gladys emphasizes that his true reward is greater knowledge of himself.