At the Earth's Core

Name: At the Earth's Core
Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs

At the Earth's Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs is a science fiction novel first published in 1914. The story follows the adventures of a man named Phileas Fogg, who is transported to the center of the Earth after being swept up in a vortex during an expedition to the South Pole. Once inside the Earth, Fogg encounters strange creatures and civilizations, including a race of intelligent beings known as the "Mahars." Fogg soon discovers that the Mahars are at war with each other, and he becomes embroiled in their conflict. Along the way, he also meets a beautiful woman named Julan, who is being held captive by one of the Mahar factions. Fogg must navigate this dangerous world and find a way to rescue Julan and escape the Earth's core before it's too late. The novel is known for its imaginative and detailed descriptions of the inner workings of the Earth, as well as its exciting action scenes and memorable characters. It has been praised for its ability to transport readers to a fantastical world that feels both familiar and new.

By Edgar Rice Burroughs · First published 1914 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy · 15 chapters · 55,154 words

First lines

I was born in Connecticut about thirty years ago. My name is David Innes. My father was a wealthy mine owner. When I was nineteen he died. All his property was to be mine when I had attained my majority -- provided that I had devoted the two years intervening in close application to the great business I was to inherit.

I did my best to fulfil the last wishes of my parent -- not because of the inheritance, but because I loved and honored my father. For six months I toiled in the mines and in the counting-rooms, for I wished to know every minute detail of the business.

What this Textopian page supports

At the Earth's Core is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, dated 1914 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs
Date: 1914 CE
Language: English
Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy, Action
Length: 55,154 words
Structure: 15 chapters, 770 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for At the Earth's Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering At the Earth's Core?
How does this novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Science Fiction — The book portrays a journey to the core of the Earth, where the protagonist discovers an entirely new, exotic, and technologically advanced world, making it science fiction.
Adventure — The protagonist's journey to the center of the Earth entails an adventurous expedition filled with great perils, hence it fits into the adventure category.
Fantasy — The existence of an advanced civilization within the Earth's core represents an imaginative premise typical of fantasy literature.
Action — There are many scenes involving fighting, capturing, and escaping, which fits the action genre.