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The Lost God and Other Adventure Stories
309 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1947
About the author
John Russell
595 books12 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database. This profile contains books by more than one author with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 6, 2026
" Now, few people have ever seen the flying frog of Borneo, and those that have are called nasty names by those who haven't."
July 13, 2025
My 1-star review has nothing to do with any "potentially offensive language" or racial situations. I read numerous books and stories written during the same time frame as these stories and I fully understand it was a different time. I am easily able to read such stories with no negative reactions on my part.
My rating is based purely on the fact that I struggled mightily to get into any of these stories. I persevered and read every single one of them but almost always found my mind drifting away. The best of the lot was the titular story, "The Lost God" and I would rate it 4 stars. The others simply could not hold my interest. I have read many similar stories by other authors and had no problems. These just failed on basic story-telling ability. For me. If other readers enjoy them, then that's great. Just not for me.
My rating is based purely on the fact that I struggled mightily to get into any of these stories. I persevered and read every single one of them but almost always found my mind drifting away. The best of the lot was the titular story, "The Lost God" and I would rate it 4 stars. The others simply could not hold my interest. I have read many similar stories by other authors and had no problems. These just failed on basic story-telling ability. For me. If other readers enjoy them, then that's great. Just not for me.
March 22, 2020
Published in 1946, this collection of short stories published between 1916 and 1925 has more hits than misses, with every story containing something interesting. I was looking for an Indiana Jones type of collection and I got it. However, given when these stories were published there's some language that's intolerant in regards to people. Be aware.
"The Lost God" is about a man who is the sole survivor of an attack upon a ship and finds himself in a precarious situation. A very clever tale. Grade: A+
"The Fourth Man" is about three men on the run and their guide. Interesting characters, but very predictable. Grade: C+
"The Price of the Head" has a servant take his master for a trip. Again, predictable. Grade: C-
"Amok" features a man pushed too far. Loved it! Grade: A+
"The Red Mark" was a surprising love story in a penal colony. Wow! Character descriptions wonderful. Grade: A+
"The Yellow Finger" reads like a Mike Mignola comic book. Should have been longer. Neat surprise at the end. Grade: B+
"Gun Metal" is a rushed short tale of men seeking treasure. A silly ending. Grade: D+
"The Passion Vine" is another surprising love story, this time involving taboo. Outstanding. Grade: A+
"The Adversary" focuses on revenge. The ending was too quick. Grade: B-
"The Primitive" showcases a man seeking one who did him wrong. Also outstanding. Grade: A+
"The Winning Hand" has a scammer gambling and things go awry. Terrific tale. Grade: A+
"The Slaver" is a genuine creeper as an abandoned slave ship is used by unscrupulous characters. WOW! Grade: A+
"Powers of Darkness" is a rambling tale of sorcery--or is it. Overall grade: D-
"The Digger" goes nowhere in its exploration of a man who should have remained in one place. Grade: D
"The Wicks of Macassar" tells the tale of man who seeks a solution to a problem. Not great. Grade: C
There's much to like in this collection of action and adventure tales from islands that are mysterious, rich, and deadly. I'm so glad I found a copy of this.
"The Lost God" is about a man who is the sole survivor of an attack upon a ship and finds himself in a precarious situation. A very clever tale. Grade: A+
"The Fourth Man" is about three men on the run and their guide. Interesting characters, but very predictable. Grade: C+
"The Price of the Head" has a servant take his master for a trip. Again, predictable. Grade: C-
"Amok" features a man pushed too far. Loved it! Grade: A+
"The Red Mark" was a surprising love story in a penal colony. Wow! Character descriptions wonderful. Grade: A+
"The Yellow Finger" reads like a Mike Mignola comic book. Should have been longer. Neat surprise at the end. Grade: B+
"Gun Metal" is a rushed short tale of men seeking treasure. A silly ending. Grade: D+
"The Passion Vine" is another surprising love story, this time involving taboo. Outstanding. Grade: A+
"The Adversary" focuses on revenge. The ending was too quick. Grade: B-
"The Primitive" showcases a man seeking one who did him wrong. Also outstanding. Grade: A+
"The Winning Hand" has a scammer gambling and things go awry. Terrific tale. Grade: A+
"The Slaver" is a genuine creeper as an abandoned slave ship is used by unscrupulous characters. WOW! Grade: A+
"Powers of Darkness" is a rambling tale of sorcery--or is it. Overall grade: D-
"The Digger" goes nowhere in its exploration of a man who should have remained in one place. Grade: D
"The Wicks of Macassar" tells the tale of man who seeks a solution to a problem. Not great. Grade: C
There's much to like in this collection of action and adventure tales from islands that are mysterious, rich, and deadly. I'm so glad I found a copy of this.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews