The Monster Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs
The story revolves around Professor Arthur Maxon, a scientist who has been conducting secret experiments to create life through chemical means. His latest experiment results in a creature, Number Thirteen, who is physically perfect but believed to be soulless. Maxon plans to marry his daughter, Virginia, to this creation, but she is unaware of his intentions. Virginia is kidnapped by Rajah Muda Saffir, a Malay pirate, who desires her for himself. Number Thirteen, who has developed feelings for Virginia, sets out to rescue her with the help of other creatures created by Maxon. Meanwhile, Dr. Carl von Horn, Maxon's assistant, has his own designs on Virginia and the professor's wealth. He manipulates events to his advantage, hoping to marry Virginia and gain control of Maxon's fortune. The narrative follows the adventures and conflicts between these characters as they navigate through the jungles of Borneo, encountering headhunters, pirates, and the challenges of the wild. Number Thirteen, despite being considered soulless, demonstrates bravery, intelligence, and a capacity for love, challenging the notion of what it means to be human. The story explores themes of scientific hubris, the nature of humanity, and the moral implications of playing God. It raises questions about identity, the soul, and the ethical boundaries of scientific experimentation.
By Edgar Rice Burroughs · First published 1928 · Genre: Science Fiction, Horror, Adventure · 17 chapters · 64,605 words
First lines
As he dropped the last grisly fragment of the dismembered and mutilated body into the small vat of nitric acid that was to devour every trace of the horrid evidence which might easily send him to the gallows, the man sank weakly into a chair and throwing his body forward upon his great, teak desk buried his face in his arms, breaking into dry, moaning sobs.
What this Textopian page supports
The Monster Men is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, dated 1928 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: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Horror, Adventure, Fantasy
- Length: 64,605 words
- Structure: 17 chapters, 1,053 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Monster Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative centers on speculative scientific experiments and extraordinary phenomena typical of early science fiction, influencing the book's framework.
- Horror — The presence of monstrous beings, unsettling themes, and eerie atmospheres contribute to its categorization within the horror genre.
- Adventure — The story includes classic adventure elements such as exploration, danger, and dynamic conflict, which enhance its narrative drive.
- Fantasy — While primarily grounded in science fiction, the imaginative and otherworldly aspects lend a secondary affinity with fantasy themes.
Tags
adventure · science fiction · horror · pulp fiction · monsters · action · thriller · lost world · supernatural · mystery · fantasy · creature feature
Contents
- The Rift
- The Heavy Chest
- Beauty and the Beast
- A New Face
- Treason
- To Kill!
- The Bull Whip
- The Soul of Number 13
- Into Savage Borneo
- Desperate Chance
- "I am Coming!"
- Perfidy
- Buried Treasure
- Man or Monster?
- Too Late
- Sing Speaks
- 999 Priscilla