The Lost World
by Arthur Conan Doyle
Disillusioned journalist Edward Malone volunteers for an expedition to verify the eccentric Professor Challenger's wild claims of a prehistoric plateau in South America. Along with the acerbic Professor Summerlee and the adventurous Lord John Roxton, Malone journeys into a secluded lost world where they encounter living dinosaurs, ape-men, and indigenous tribes, ultimately fighting for survival and escape.
Ned Malone
A young, physically capable (Rugby player) Irish journalist for the Daily Gazette. Initially naive and idealistic, driven by romantic aspirations to impress Gladys Hungerton, but matures through hardship. He possesses a vivid imagination, which makes him sensitive to fear, yet he has an overwhelming pride that compels him to act courageously.
Professor Challenger
An extraordinarily imposing and intimidating man of immense size—a "stunted Hercules"—with a massive head, an "Assyrian bull" face, a spade-shaped black beard (sometimes tinged with blue), tufted eyebrows, and piercing blue-gray eyes. His chest is like a barrel, and his hands are large and hairy. Despite his bulk, he possesses surprising agility.
Professor Summerlee
A veteran Professor of Comparative Anatomy; tall, thin, gaunt, and somewhat wizened, with a long, thin goat-like beard that he often wags or strokes. He is often careless in his attire, unclean in his person, and absent-minded, addicted to a short briar pipe.
Lord John Roxton
A tall, thin, angular man with dark gingery hair (thin at the top), keen blue 'glacier lake' eyes (often twinkling mischievously or ferociously), a strongly-curved nose, hollow cheeks, crisp virile moustaches, and a small aggressive tuft on his projecting chin. His skin is florid and weather-beaten from years of outdoor life. He is lean but very strongly built, elegant in attire (white drill suits, high brown mosquito-boots).
Gladys Hungerton
A beautiful young woman with a proud, delicate profile, delicately bronzed skin, raven hair, and large liquid eyes. Initially perceived as aloof and cold by some, Malone sees her as embodying all womanly qualities, with 'stigmata of passion'.
Jessie Challenger
A small, bright, vivacious, dark-eyed lady, more French than English in her type.
McArdle
The news editor of the Daily Gazette: crabbed, old, round-backed, and red-headed. He is sharp and practical, always looking for a good 'scoop' and views events through the lens of their journalistic value. He has a 'kindly Scotch accent' and spectacles pushed up on his bald forehead.
Zambo
A gigantic Negro, described as a 'black Hercules'—immensely strong and muscular. He is described as simple and unthinkingly loyal, "as willing as any horse, and about as intelligent." Has a 'honest black face'.
Gomez
A swarthy half-breed from up the river, bearded and fierce, 'as active and wiry as panthers.' He can speak excellent English.
Maretas
The young chief of the Accala Indians, small, wiry, active, well-built, with lank black hair tied back with a leather thong. He has a proud and high spirit. His ears were pierced for ornaments which his captors (ape-men) tore out.
Ape-men
Anthropoid apes described as 'Missing Links,' standing about five feet tall, with short, bandy legs, heavy bodies, long arms, and enormous chests. They have red-brown, coarse hairy bodies, with distinct 'glassy gray eyes under red tufts.' Their facial features include flattened noses, projecting lower jaws with coarse whiskers, and curved, sharp canine teeth. They move with a crouching gait but can be quite agile in trees. Their king closely resembles Challenger.
Accala Indians
A tribe of small, wiry, active, well-built men with lank black hair tied in a bunch, hairless faces, and features that glow like polished bronze in sunlight. Their ear lobes are torn from lost ornaments. They wear loin-clothes of leather. Their speech is unintelligible to the explorers but fluent among themselves.
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