The Lost World (Doyle novel) facts for kids
Cover of the first edition of The Lost World.
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| Author | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Professor Challenger |
| Genre | Science fiction, Lost world |
| Publisher | Hodder & Stoughton |
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Publication date
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1912 |
| Media type | |
| Followed by | The Poison Belt |
| Text | The Lost World at Wikisource |
The Lost World is an exciting science fiction novel written by the British author Arthur Conan Doyle. It was first published in 1912. The story is about a thrilling trip to a high, flat area (called a plateau) in the Amazon basin of South America. On this plateau, amazing prehistoric animals still live, just like they did millions of years ago!
The book first appeared in parts in Strand Magazine from April to November 1912. A New Zealand artist named Harry Rountree drew the pictures for it. This novel also introduces a famous character, Professor Challenger. Plus, the story includes a battle between local people and a fierce group of ape-like creatures.
Contents
Discovering a Lost World
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The story begins with Edward Malone, a young reporter for the Daily Gazette. He wants to impress Gladys, the woman he likes. Gladys wants a brave man who does exciting things. So, Edward asks his boss for a dangerous job.
His task is to meet Professor Challenger. The professor really dislikes reporters and can be quite rough with them. Edward needs to ask him about his recent trip to South America. This trip was very controversial, so Edward expects a difficult meeting.
Meeting Professor Challenger
Edward decides to pretend he is a serious student. When he meets Professor Challenger, he is surprised by how big and strong the professor is. Edward thinks his trick is working. But Professor Challenger quickly sees through his disguise. He realizes Edward knows nothing about science.
The professor gets very angry and throws Edward out! A policeman sees this, but Edward refuses to press charges. This earns Professor Challenger's respect. The professor invites him back inside. He promises to tell Edward a secret if he keeps it quiet.
A Secret Revealed
Professor Challenger then shares his amazing discovery. He found living dinosaurs in South America! He followed clues from an explorer named Maple White, who had died. Later, at a big public meeting, Professor Challenger is laughed at. Another scientist, Professor Summerlee, makes fun of him.
Edward Malone bravely volunteers to go on an expedition. He wants to prove the professor's discoveries are real. His companions for the trip are Professor Summerlee and Lord John Roxton. Lord John is an adventurer who helped stop slavery in the Amazon. He is known for being very brave.
Journey to the Plateau
The expedition faces many challenges. They travel through areas with unfriendly tribes. Finally, with the help of their Indian guides, they reach the lost world. The guides are very scared of the area because of old stories.
Professor Summerlee is still doubtful. He is happy to find new plants and insects, but he doesn't believe in dinosaurs. Even seeing a pterodactyl from far away doesn't convince him. He thinks it's just a type of stork. Lord John Roxton, who sees better, agrees it's not a stork but doesn't know what it is.
Proof of Dinosaurs
One night, a pterodactyl flies down close to their camp. It tries to steal their dinner! Everyone sees it clearly. After this, Professor Summerlee says sorry to Professor Challenger. Now he believes!
The cliffs around the plateau seem impossible to climb. But they find a tall, nearby rock pillar. They climb it and cut down a huge tree from its top. They use the tree as a bridge to cross to the plateau.
Trapped in the Lost World
However, they are quickly trapped! One of their porters, Gomez, betrays them. Gomez was a former slaver, and his brother had been stopped by Roxton during his fight against slavery. Gomez gets his revenge by pushing the tree bridge off the cliff.
The explorers are now stuck on the plateau. Another porter, Zambo, who is loyal to the group, kills Gomez. Zambo can't help them get off the plateau. But he does manage to send some supplies up to them using a rope.
Adventures on the Plateau
While exploring the lost world, they find many plants and creatures thought to be extinct. They barely escape an attack from pterodactyls. Lord John Roxton notices some blue clay deposits, which he finds very interesting.
One night, a huge dinosaur tries to break into their camp. Roxton bravely rushes at it with a burning torch. He scares the dinosaur away, saving everyone! Later, ape-men capture everyone except Malone.
Rescue and Escape
While held captive, they learn that a tribe of native people lives on the other side of the plateau. These natives are at war with the ape-men. Roxton escapes and, with Malone's help, they rescue the others. They save many lives, including a young native prince.
The rescued natives take the explorers to their village. With the explorers' guns, they go back and defeat the ape-men. The native tribe is amazed by the power of the guns. They want the explorers to stay on the plateau. But with the help of the young prince they saved, the explorers find a tunnel leading back to the outside world. During their time with the tribe, Roxton also manages to capture a baby pterodactyl!
Back in England
When they return to England, many people still don't believe their story. They had doubted Professor Challenger before. But Professor Summerlee, who was on the trip, now supports Challenger.
At a public meeting, Professor Challenger brings out the young pterodactyl! This proves their story is true. The audience is amazed. The explorers become instant heroes. Cheering crowds carry them out of the hall.
In all the excitement, the pterodactyl escapes! People see it several times around London, causing a stir. It is last seen flying southwest, probably heading home.
A Diamond Discovery
Later, at a private dinner, Roxton shares a secret. The blue clay he found contained diamonds! He remembered seeing similar clay in South Africa. He managed to collect diamonds worth about £200,000. They decide to split the money.
Professor Challenger plans to open a private museum with his share. Professor Summerlee wants to retire and study fossils. Edward Malone goes back to Gladys, hoping she will be proud of him. But she has changed her mind! She has married a very ordinary man instead.
Edward is shocked. With nothing keeping him in London, he decides to go back to the lost world with Lord John Roxton!
Meet the Characters
- Professor George Edward Challenger: A smart but rough zoologist (a scientist who studies animals).
- Edward D. Malone: A young reporter looking for adventure.
- McArdle: Edward Malone's editor at the newspaper.
- Professor Summerlee: Another scientist who first doubts Professor Challenger.
- Lord John Roxton: A brave adventurer who fought against slavery.
- Gomez: A porter who betrays the group because of a past conflict with Roxton.
- Manuel: Gomez's friend.
- Zambo: A loyal South American porter who helps the explorers.
- Gladys Hungerton: Edward Malone's love interest, who is quite selfish.
- Jessie Challenger: Professor Challenger's wife.
- Maple White: An explorer who died, but whose discoveries led to the lost world.
- The Accala Indians: The native people living on the plateau.
Want to Learn More?
In Spanish: El mundo perdido para niños
