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Dinosaur Summer - Greg Bear Book Review

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Review Summary
It is the summer of 1947. In the 35 years since the events described in Conan Doyle's _The Lost World_, dinosaurs have peaked and descended in the popular imagination. Circuses and zoos haven't been able to keep them alive, and a few unfortunate escapes and accidents have cooled the public's interest. The last remaining dinosaur circus, Circus Lothar, is shutting down and plans to return its creatures to the El Grande plateau in Venezuela whence they came. Still photographer Anthony Belzoni and his 15-year-old son Peter go on the expedition to document it for National Geographic, while a film crew that includes Ray Harryhausen hopes to get footage useful for another giant monster movie like "King Kong." In the tensions between the government, indigenous tribes, and restless dinosaurs, our heros get trapped on the wild side of the destroyed bridge across the chasm. They encounter amazing new creatures and experience incredible adventures on their way back to human civilization. Bear tells a terrific tale, with great characterizations as well as plot thrills galore.
David Loftus, Resident Scholar

A group of people go to the place where Professor Challenger found dinosaurs (book by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: "The Lost World").

They want to restore dinosaurs that performed in the last Dinosaur circus. But after an unfortunate accident they are stuck on the plateau.

irina, Resident Scholar

It is 50 years after Prof. Challenger's "Lost World" expedition returned from the El Grande; scientists, hunters and tourists have invaded the prehistoric sanctuary, and the public has grown weary of dinosaurs. Circus Lothar, the last remaining Dino Circus, is going bankrupt, and its owner decides to return the surviving animals to their ancient homeland.
National Geographic hires unemployed photographer/writer Anthony Belzoni and his son Peter to document the journey, while Hollywood sends Willis O'Brien and Ray Harryhausen to film it for a movie. (These legends of FX had their careers nipped in the bud; who wants to look at fake monsters when the real thing is available?)
The trip, via ship, raft, and truck is long and dangerous, beset with accidents, sabotage and political problems.
The bridge leading to the Lost World is reached, and the dinosaurs are released one at a time. The large carnosaur escapes, and destroys the drawbridge. The Belzonis, Harryhausen and O'Brien are trapped on the wrong side, and left to fend for themselves.
With the aid of a status-seeking native, they endure great danger and witness incredible new things in their fight to stay alive in the prehistoric jungles.

tiepilot912, Resident Scholar


Detailed literary breakdown of Dinosaur Summer
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 23.3%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 26.7%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30%




Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Adversaries are… - dinosaurs
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
GIANT monster(s) Yes

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - student
Age: - a teen
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - animal
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged

Setting
Terrain - Jungle - Water - Mountains - Forests
Earth setting: - 20th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only) - some scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog
Most similar books to Dinosaur Summer
The Lost World by Michael Crichton
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Casual Rex by Eric Garcia
Cretaceous Sea by Will Hubbell
Carnosaur by Harry Adam Knight




Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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