The Moon Pool - A. Merritt

. .

Résumé :
The Moon Pool, in novel form, is a combination and fix-up of two previously-published short stories: ?The Moon Pool,? and ?Conquest of the Moon Pool.? Initially serialized in All-Story Weekly, Merritt made the interesting choice of framing the novel as a sort of scientific retelling, going so far as to include footnotes from fictional scientists, to give this completely fantastic work an air of authenticity. In it we find the adventuresome botanist William T. Goodwin embarking on a quest to help his friend Throckmortin, whose wife and friends have fallen victim to a mysterious temple ruin on a remote South Pacific island. A series of coincidences provides Goodwin with a colorful cast of accompanying adventurers, and they soon find themselves in a mysterious futuristic underworld. The Moon Pool is an important entry in the Lost World genre, in no small part because it was a significant influence on H. P. Lovecraft?hints of The Moon Pool can be seen in his short story ?The Call of Cthulhu,? and hints of Merritt?s Nan-Madol can be seen in Lovecraft?s R?lyeh. Today, The Moon Pool is a pulp classic, featuring many of the themes, tropes, and archetypes that characterized so many of the pulp adventure works of the era.

Biographie:
Abraham Grace Merritt (January 20, 1884 - August 21, 1943) - known by his byline, A. Merritt - was an American Sunday magazine editor and a writer of fantastic fiction....

Sommaire:
The Moon Pool by A. Merritt is a captivating tale of mystery and adventure set in the enigmatic ruins of the Nan-Matal in the Caroline Islands. The narrative follows Dr. Walter T. Goodwin, who recounts the harrowing experiences of his friend, Dr. David Throckmartin. Throckmartin, along with his wife Edith, their associate Dr. Charles Stanton, and a Swedish nurse named Thora, embarks on an expedition to explore the ancient ruins believed to be remnants of a lost Pacific continent. The story unfolds as the group encounters inexplicable phenomena centered around a mysterious Moon Pool, a place of otherworldly beauty and terror. Throckmartin describes the strange lights, haunting music, and the disappearance of his companions, all linked to the Moon Pool and its enigmatic Dweller. As the narrative progresses, Throckmartin's account reveals a struggle between scientific curiosity and the supernatural forces at play. The story delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and the limits of human understanding in the face of the unknown. Merritt's vivid descriptions and imaginative storytelling create a sense of wonder and dread, drawing readers into a world where ancient mysteries and modern science collide....