At the Earth’s Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs

At the Earth’s Core

is a science fiction novel by American author Edgar Rice Burroughs, first published in 1914. The book tells the story of a young adventurer named David Innes, who discovers a hidden world beneath the Earth’s crust and embarks on a perilous journey to explore it.

The novel begins with Innes, a wealthy American mining engineer, and his friend and fellow adventurer Abner Perry, developing a new drilling machine to explore the Earth’s core. After a successful test run, the two men find themselves plummeting through the Earth’s crust and into a strange and dangerous underground world.

As they explore this strange new world, Innes and Perry encounter a variety of bizarre creatures, including giant insects, prehistoric mammals, and savage humanoids. They also discover that the world is ruled by a cruel and powerful race of telepathic reptilian creatures known as the Mahars, who keep the humanoids as slaves and use them as a source of food.

Despite the dangers and obstacles they face, Innes and Perry are determined to explore this new world and find a way to escape back to the surface. Along the way, they form alliances with a group of rebellious humanoids and a fierce warrior named Dian the Beautiful, who becomes a love interest for Innes.

Burroughs’ writing in At the Earth’s Core is marked by his vivid imagination and his ability to create a detailed and believable alternate world. His descriptions of the underground world are highly detailed, painting a vivid picture of a strange and dangerous realm filled with bizarre creatures and treacherous terrain.

The novel is also notable for its exploration of themes of power and control. The Mahars, who rule over the underground world with an iron fist, are depicted as cruel and inhumane, using their telepathic abilities to control and manipulate the weaker humanoids. Through the character of Innes and his allies, Burroughs shows that it is possible to resist and challenge oppressive systems of power, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

At the Earth’s Core is also notable for its influence on the science fiction genre. Burroughs’ depiction of a hidden world beneath the Earth’s surface has since become a popular trope in science fiction and fantasy literature, inspiring countless other authors and filmmakers to explore the concept.

However, it is important to note that the book is a product of its time and reflects the attitudes and beliefs of early 20th-century America. The book’s depiction of the humanoid slaves and the portrayal of Dian the Beautiful may be seen as problematic by contemporary readers.

In conclusion, At the Earth’s Core is a classic science fiction adventure tale that has captivated readers for over a century. Edgar Rice Burroughs’ vivid imagination and his exploration of themes of power and control make the book a compelling read for anyone interested in science fiction or fantasy literature. While the book may be seen as reflecting the attitudes and beliefs of its time, its influence on the genre cannot be denied, and it remains a beloved classic of science fiction literature.