Gorilla Adventure by Willard Price

Hal and Roger Hunt head off for another challenging mission- this time to search for gorillas deep in the Congo jungle. But when the boys stumble across the evil trade in baby gorillas, someone seems determined to silence them once and for all..

While Gorilla Adventure is part of the Adventure series, it's essentially a standalone story that can be read either on it's own or as part of the series. First published in 1969, Gorilla Adventure is part of a classic tradition of stories from the golden age of adventure, before the world and the magic of uncharted territories was googled into extinction.

The story sees brothers Hal and Roger Hunt being sent on a mission into the Congo by their wildlife collecting father. Their purpose? To capture a series of rare and exotic animals and bring them home to be sold to zoos and conservatories, with the prize specimen on their list being a highland gorilla from the deepest jungle, a concept which in today's eco-conscious world seems utterly bizarre and quite shocking. But, written in the era that it was, no great fuss is made on this point, and while Hal and Roger's attitude seems disconcertingly mercenary at first, as the story progresses and the come up against the ugly truth of the impact of poaching a distinctly pro-conservation message comes through which makes them far more sympathetic and likeable.

The story itself is a rolling catalogue of the stars of the African jungle interspersed with a cast of supporting characters drawn in broad brush strokes, who are really only there to support Hal and Roger as they stumble across a increasingly fantastic array of the rarest animals. Price, however, presents his menagerie in a way that makes you want to plan a safari, or at least a day trip out to a decent zoo, which more than makes up for it.

An unfortunate by-product of portraying the brothers as cool headed, larger than life adventurers though is that they come across as too cool, that the wondrous animals that seem to be all but throwing themselves at their feet are all a a bit ho-hum and to be expected. This persists with some of challenges thrown at them, and while I could live with this, the one example of this that jarred me from the story was when Roger is hit in the eyes by a spitting cobra. Rather than be incapacitated by this, he proceeds to first suck the venom from a colleague's snake bite, administer an anti-venom serum to the hapless man, and then capture said cobra in a sack before deciding to succumb to its venom!

That said, the book is still fun to read- don't overthink it, and just let yourself go along for the ride. For all its idiosyncrasies, the sudden ending and the years that have passed it has a quaint innocence and manages to conjure the sheer wonder and magic of Africa, and to bring home the unexpected fragility of some of its mightiest denizens.

Eye of the Serpent by Philip Caveney

Synopsis

Egypt 1923.

Fifteen-year-old Alec Devlin is on his way to the Valley of the Kings. Accompanied by his faithful valet, Coates, Alec is to spend his summer holidays working on his Uncle Will’s archaeological dig. It’s not the first time he's spent his summer this way . . . but this year things are different.

Uncle Will and his young assistant, Tom Hinton, have recently made an amazing discovery – an ancient tomb hidden deep below the earth. But only hours after opening its doors, Uncle Will falls mysteriously ill and Tom seems to have disappeared without trace.

Together with Ethan Wade, the young American soldier of fortune who is managing the dig in Uncle Will's absence, and a pretty French woman called Madeleine Duval, Alec sets about unravelling the tomb’s mysteries. Seemingly harmless animals have turned into rabid killers . . . long dead mummies are rising from their tombs . . . the spirit of a powerful High Priest is claiming the bodies of the living as his living hosts . . . Together Alec and Ethan must confront a terror that has waited three thousand years to be reborn.

This novel for younger readers really does hold a flaming candle for the action adventure pulp stories from days gone by, recently resuscitated by Stephen Sommers and the Mummy franchise.

Although the novel is aimed at 9 - 11 year olds, the author does not stint on the horror or his storytelling. In fact, it is a little over the top and perfectly pitched to hold your attention.

I did like the main character, Alec Devlin, and am hoping to see more of him. He is one of those intelligent creations that you enjoy reading - he does not become tedious and too good for his own boots and unbelievable in his actions.

The setting of the novel is also well thought out - with the famous archaeologist Howard Carter making a cameo/guest appearance. His discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the King gives Alec's uncle the perfect excuse to "fly under the radar" as such as the world's eyes are turned on Carter's amazing discovery.

I was quite shaken by the scene which turns Uncle Will insane - not pleasant at all and quite terrifying but I am sure the kids will lap it up. The action and adventure is non-stop and with the amount of creatures attacking Alec and Ethan and the camp, I'm surprised they've not fled for the hills. Especially the bats! - shudder -

One point of great interest to me was how Caveney used language and dialogue to form a clear differential between the English, French and American characters in this book. Ethan's character comes through very well with his use of the words "okay" and other Americanisms. Compare him with Alec's almost formal way of speech and with Ms. Duval's hesitant English, and it makes for interesting reading.

Eye of the Serpent set Alec's character very well for further adventures. The era is also perfect for this "boys own" adventure and I am looking forward to seeing what else Mr. Caveney has up his multi-talented sleeve.

As Eye of the Serpent is one of our Summer Reads I am happy to score it at:

7.5 stars out of 10