The Lost World: Commercial facts
13 lenses on commercial facts for The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle. Count lenses are exact for our text. AI lenses are our reading and cite only quotes that passed a word for word check.
Jump to: L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8 L9 L10 L11 L12 L13
L1. Total word count. Count
1912, 76,506 words. See the full lens on the book page.
L2. Chapter count and average length. Count
1912, 76,506 words. See the full lens on the book page.
L3. Length against modern norms for the genre. Both
76,506 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
At 76,506 words, the book is longer than typical modern adventure thrillers (usually 70,000 to 90,000 words) but fits the genre. The length allows for detailed exploration and character development without excessive padding.
L4. First published as a serial or a volume? Research
1912, 76,506 words. See the full lens on the book page.
Facts from outside the text (sales, serial history, adaptations, sequels, most quoted lines). Coming in a later phase, with sources and dates.
L5. Serial instalment breaks and how each ends. Both
The book was serialised in The Strand Magazine from April to November 1912. Chapter breaks align with serial instalment breaks. Each chapter ends with a hook or cliffhanger to encourage readers to continue: the revelation (chapter 3), the expedition formation (chapter 5), the trap (chapter 9), the disappearance (chapter 12).
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 5, Ch 9, Ch 12
L6. Sales and reviews in its day. Research
Facts from outside the text (sales, serial history, adaptations, sequels, most quoted lines). Coming in a later phase, with sources and dates.
L7. Adaptations: film, TV, stage, count and type. Research
Facts from outside the text (sales, serial history, adaptations, sequels, most quoted lines). Coming in a later phase, with sources and dates.
L8. Sequels and series. Research
Facts from outside the text (sales, serial history, adaptations, sequels, most quoted lines). Coming in a later phase, with sources and dates.
L9. Modern books in the same mould (comps). AI
Modern comps include Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park (expedition discovers prehistoric creatures), Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth (hidden world exploration), and Andy Weir's The Martian (survival against hostile environment). All feature scientific discovery and adventure.
L10. Who it would be shelved for today. AI
Today it would be shelved as adventure fiction or science fiction. It appeals to readers of classic adventure, prehistoric fiction, and early science fiction. Fans of exploration narratives and character-driven adventure would find it rewarding.
L11. Content notes. AI
Content notes: violence including hunting and battle scenes, death of creatures and humans, period-typical racial attitudes, romantic rejection, and themes of revenge. No sexual content or graphic gore.
L12. A modern pitch line and blurb. AI
A young journalist joins a daring expedition to prove a scientist's impossible claim: that prehistoric creatures still live on a hidden South American plateau. Trapped in this lost world, he must survive dinosaurs, ape-men, and human treachery to discover that true heroism lies not in grand deeds but in genuine friendship.
L13. Title style against genre norms. AI
The title is straightforward and descriptive, typical of adventure fiction from the period. It names the central location and mystery. Modern adventure titles often use similar direct naming (The Maze Runner, The Hunger Games), making this style timeless.
Ask The Lost World a question about its craft (free beta)
Answers cite chapter and paragraph, and every quote is checked against the text. (3 free questions a day).
Weekly email: coming soon
One short email a week on new AI tools for authors. Sign up opens soon.