The last two books (The People That Time Forgot and Out of Time's Abyss) were just as engrossing as The Land That Time Forgot. Edgar Rice Burroughs continues the story of the land of Caprona through two more narrators. In the second, Tom Billings (secretary of the Tyler's family business) begins an expedition to rescue Bowen Tyler. Billings becomes separated from his crew and the novel goes on to narrate his trek through Caprona. He is paired with a Galu girl right off and they work their way north to the Galu country. The reader already has an understanding of the trials one undertakes while in Caprona. However, you learn more about the evolution of species; plant, human, and animal. It is very interesting how Burroughs has created this land at the bottom of the Earth and almost puts the entire evolutionary cycle in it. There are six stages the 'humans' take in their lifetime (I'm not counting the Wieroo). You can find a list of them if you search on Wikipedia. I don't want to talk to much about the plot of the book. The second book takes you into more of the layout and cycle of Caprona life. However, it is in the third book that more of an understanding of the 'beginning' of life is told. The third book tells the narrative of Bradley, one of Tyler's men from the first book. In this book the reader learns more about the Wieroo; the race that has evolved into flying men and which the others fear. Once again I won't get too much into the plot.
Just like the first novel Burroughs male narrator is very sure and egotistical. I wonder though if this helps him to survive in this land that is foreign and filled with super-sized dangers. The idea of there being this land that has been kept apart from the rest of the world's evolutionary cycle is intriguing. I read some reviews and I agree that if you are to read these books then they should be read as one. There is a continuity in them and the characters keep you turning pages. You have to find out if they survive Caprona and make it back to America.
These books are what really have peaked my interest in Edgar Rice Burroughs. I know that my reading interests have become much more centered on Science Fiction and Fantasy these past few years. This is interesting to me because I'm not sure what really changed my reading habits. I always enjoyed Bradbury and Tolkien; now I am trying to read all the classics that were before or around these two readers. Plus there are still so many of these two authors works I have yet to read. It would be interesting to see what Burroughs' influences were and I may just do that!