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jdsutter's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars. I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as The Lost World.
davidsandilands's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jessica_mcdermitt's review against another edition
3.0
All I can do is laugh! This little book is so entertainingly ridiculous! My favorite part is the relationship between Challenger and his wife. He was a total bully in The Lost World, but he softens in this one. Everything else in this book is just laughable. Please don’t read this if you’re looking for a serious story!
weaselweader's review against another edition
5.0
Doyle's contribution to "post-apocalyptic" literature!
While Professor George Edward Challenger, a short, stocky, hirsute bull of a man is physically the complete opposite of Doyle's more well known protagonist, Sherlock Holmes, the same cannot be said of his pomposity, arrogance and mental dexterity. In that regard, he could well have been Sherlock's and Mycroft's long lost sibling.
As a scientist of the first order, comfortable in his astute, complex analysis of "the blurring of Frauenhofer's lines in the spectra both of the planets and of the fixed stars," Challenger concluded there had been a fundamental change in the ether that would "involve the ultimate welfare of every man, woman, and child upon this planet." In fact, his private prognostications were that the end of the world was at hand and, on the basis of that certainty, he issued a peremptory summons to his friends and colleagues from the "lost world" expedition - young Edward Malone, the reporter for the Daily Gazette; Professor Summerlee, a fellow scientist; and Lord John Roxton, gentleman adventurer and sportsman - to join him and his beloved wife as witness to the world's final hours!
Having only recently completed Conan Doyle's THE LOST WORLD, I expected THE POISON BELT to be a garment cut of the same cloth - a swashbuckling Victorian adventure tale of the exploits of heroic men's men! Not even close ... instead Doyle served up an optimistic, post-apocalyptic tale of a world given a taste of Armageddon and an unexpected second chance. Doyle's philosophical musings, disclosed through the conversations of the last five people to remain on the face of a dying earth, touched upon such tender ideas as love and friendship in the face of death. While Doyle might not have recognized it by the more modern label, his musings even wandered into what a modern cosmological philosopher would label the "anthropic principle".
A modern reader of THE POISON BELT will know that the notion of an all-encompassing ether in the universe has long since been debunked. But that single failing detracted not one whit from the quality of the story. That same modern reader, I expect, will also be unlikely to share Doyle's optimism regarding the world's reaction to a second chance at life. But, for myself, when I finished the story, I smiled and silently prayed that Doyle was right and I was wrong!
Enjoy!
Paul Weiss
While Professor George Edward Challenger, a short, stocky, hirsute bull of a man is physically the complete opposite of Doyle's more well known protagonist, Sherlock Holmes, the same cannot be said of his pomposity, arrogance and mental dexterity. In that regard, he could well have been Sherlock's and Mycroft's long lost sibling.
As a scientist of the first order, comfortable in his astute, complex analysis of "the blurring of Frauenhofer's lines in the spectra both of the planets and of the fixed stars," Challenger concluded there had been a fundamental change in the ether that would "involve the ultimate welfare of every man, woman, and child upon this planet." In fact, his private prognostications were that the end of the world was at hand and, on the basis of that certainty, he issued a peremptory summons to his friends and colleagues from the "lost world" expedition - young Edward Malone, the reporter for the Daily Gazette; Professor Summerlee, a fellow scientist; and Lord John Roxton, gentleman adventurer and sportsman - to join him and his beloved wife as witness to the world's final hours!
Having only recently completed Conan Doyle's THE LOST WORLD, I expected THE POISON BELT to be a garment cut of the same cloth - a swashbuckling Victorian adventure tale of the exploits of heroic men's men! Not even close ... instead Doyle served up an optimistic, post-apocalyptic tale of a world given a taste of Armageddon and an unexpected second chance. Doyle's philosophical musings, disclosed through the conversations of the last five people to remain on the face of a dying earth, touched upon such tender ideas as love and friendship in the face of death. While Doyle might not have recognized it by the more modern label, his musings even wandered into what a modern cosmological philosopher would label the "anthropic principle".
A modern reader of THE POISON BELT will know that the notion of an all-encompassing ether in the universe has long since been debunked. But that single failing detracted not one whit from the quality of the story. That same modern reader, I expect, will also be unlikely to share Doyle's optimism regarding the world's reaction to a second chance at life. But, for myself, when I finished the story, I smiled and silently prayed that Doyle was right and I was wrong!
Enjoy!
Paul Weiss
marielln's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
charlotte_owl's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't like it as much as I liked the first Challenger book, but it was still quite good. Even though I knew humankind had to survive (who else could Malone be writing for), it still really did feel like the end. The only boring thing was that the characters didn't really do much.
therightprofile's review against another edition
3.0
A an engaging short story on human frailty, and our place in the Universe. Will it take a cataclysmic event for us to reevaluate the way we live our lives?
sangloup's review against another edition
5.0
Book #71 of the EBN Challenge at my Library.
Challenge Topic: A book written by an author with 3 names.
This was an interesting take on how life could end for the world. There was a lot of scientific talk, but thats Doyle to a T. I felt more connected to the little reporter as he was telling the story. It was good. I really like it. I kind of wish I had read "The Lost World" which is the first book of this little series.
Challenge Topic: A book written by an author with 3 names.
This was an interesting take on how life could end for the world. There was a lot of scientific talk, but thats Doyle to a T. I felt more connected to the little reporter as he was telling the story. It was good. I really like it. I kind of wish I had read "The Lost World" which is the first book of this little series.
samwescott's review against another edition
2.0
I loved the Lost World, so I was very excited to see the reunion of Doyle's delightful characters in this sequel. I wasn't disappointed on the topic of the characters. Challenger was as bombastic as ever and Lord John Roxton (my personal favorite of the crew) was as wonderful as I remembered. It was a pleasurable reunion.
The book on its own merit, however, was altogether lackluster. The plot was, of course, scientifically preposterous, but that's par for the course for a Victorian adventure story. The irritation for me was in the abbreviated writing style and half-hearted story telling. I feel like this story was written with much less thoughtfulness and consideration as The Lost World. The edges just aren't as polished.
I guess in that way, it's a typical sequel - generally inferior to the original, but worth the experience because of our emotional attachment to the characters.
The book on its own merit, however, was altogether lackluster. The plot was, of course, scientifically preposterous, but that's par for the course for a Victorian adventure story. The irritation for me was in the abbreviated writing style and half-hearted story telling. I feel like this story was written with much less thoughtfulness and consideration as The Lost World. The edges just aren't as polished.
I guess in that way, it's a typical sequel - generally inferior to the original, but worth the experience because of our emotional attachment to the characters.