The Land That Time Forgot

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

551

Title

The Land That Time Forgot

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In a prehistoric world, a modern man named Bowen Tyler is stranded on the isolated island of Caprona. After escaping a primitive tribe, he discovers his beloved Lys has been captured by a rival savage. This thrilling adventure of survival, evolution, and romance follows their desperate struggle against ferocious beasts and hostile tribes to reunite and face an uncertain future.

Summary up to 500 words

In Edgar Rice Burroughs' *The Land That Time Forgot*, the narrative follows Bowen Tyler, a modern man stranded on the prehistoric island of Caprona. After escaping the Band-lu tribe, Bowen discovers his companion, Lys, has been abducted by the Sto-lu, a more advanced but still savage clan known as the hatchet-men. Determined to rescue her, Bowen pursues them through a landscape teeming with giant creatures and hostile clans. His journey is marked by desperate battles against savage brutes and a harrowing realization that rescue from the outside world is unlikely. Upon reaching a high cliff ledge, Bowen and Lys accept their fate as doomed to live and die on the isolated island. In a poignant moment of acceptance, they marry beneath the moonlight, finding solace in each other despite the harsh reality of their existence. Before departing, they write a final message in a thermos bottle, hoping it washes ashore to convey their story to the world beyond the barrier cliffs. The novel explores themes of evolution, survival, and the enduring nature of human passion. Bowen encounters various tribes, from the primitive Alus to the more civilized Band-lu and Sto-lu, observing a hierarchy of development among the island's inhabitants. He learns that these people harbor a universal hope of becoming 'Galus,' a mythical advanced race. Bowen's journey highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the primal drive for self-preservation that connects ancient ancestors to modern man. The story culminates in a dramatic confrontation where Bowen, armed only with a knife, fights a massive brute to save Lys. Though they survive, they remain trapped on Caprona. Bowen writes his final account from a cavern atop the barrier cliffs, watching the cold Pacific Ocean. He sends the thermos bottle into the sea, entrusting his story to the currents that might carry it to a friendly shore. The novel ends with a bittersweet note: while Bowen and Lys have found love and contentment in their isolation, they acknowledge that their time is limited, and their final message serves as a testament to their survival and enduring bond.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction
• Science Fiction