The Goddess of Atvatabar
The Goddess of Atvatabar
Being the history of the discovery of the interior world and conquest of Atvatabar
A novel of the Haggard type. Lexington White, American, sails rom New York in the Polar King, bound to discover the North Pole. He unwittingly descends through a passage in the ice, and finally arrives in the Kingdom of Atvatabar, on an unknown continent. Here he witnesses some phenomena of physical science, notably an aerial voyage, with other wonders of art and nature supposed to have occurred in the interior of the earth. There is an additional interest in viewing in a new and strange light the achievements of occultism and the results of orthodox science. Theories of philosophy, love, marriage, art, etc., are ventilated.
Book Excerpt
er, hope, and fear. But when the stupendous descent into the interior world has been made, and we have been carried through the intermediary occurrences into the presence of the beautiful goddess herself, the style rises to the level of the lofty theme and becomes harmoniously imaginative and poetic. The change takes place so naturally and insensibly that no jarring contrast is perceived; and a subdued sense of humor, making itself felt at the proper moment, redeems the most daring flights of the work from the reproach of extravagance.
Mr. Bradshaw is especially to be commended for having the courage of his imagination. He wastes no undue time on explanations, but proceeds promptly and fearlessly to set forth the point at issue. When, for example, it becomes necessary to introduce the new language spoken by the inhabitants of the interior world, we are brought in half a dozen paragraphs to an understanding of its characteristic features, and proceed to the use of it without more ado. A more timid write
Editor's choice
(view all)Popular books in Science Fiction, Occult, Fiction and Literature
Readers reviews
4.0
LoginSign up
This is an old adventure story in the vein of Jules Verne. If you like Verne, you'll like this one. Otherwise, it is rather shallow of plot and characterization.
I suggest skipping the first 5 or 6 chapters - you will miss *nothing*. After that, I found myself skimming at least 50 percent of the material because the long descriptions are so boring. The story does become more engaging as it goes, and a bit of a plot develops.
I'm torn between a 3 and 4 star rating. In a rare moment of leniency, I'm going to go ahead and give it a 4 because it did maintain my interest during the 2nd half of the story.
I suggest skipping the first 5 or 6 chapters - you will miss *nothing*. After that, I found myself skimming at least 50 percent of the material because the long descriptions are so boring. The story does become more engaging as it goes, and a bit of a plot develops.
I'm torn between a 3 and 4 star rating. In a rare moment of leniency, I'm going to go ahead and give it a 4 because it did maintain my interest during the 2nd half of the story.
- Upvote (0)
- Downvote (0)
This is a good story of the hollow earth genre. It's a bit wordy in parts, but the story is good and explores the mysteries of the occult, theosophy and science and their relationships.
The only thing that was annoying was the Irish accent used by one of the characters. Otherwise a good read and one that I'll definitely pick up again in the future!
The only thing that was annoying was the Irish accent used by one of the characters. Otherwise a good read and one that I'll definitely pick up again in the future!
07/06/2011