“Out of Time’s Abyss” was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1918 and is the last of the three books in the Caspak series. It is preceded by “The Land that Time Forgot” and “The People that Time Forgot”. It depicts the adventures of a small group of survivors that were first introduced in first Caspak book. The trilogy depicts the adventures of various groups of survivors stranded on the island of Caprona (called Caspak by the islands inhabitants). The island is populated by many dangerous prehistoric creatures and primitive people.
In the first book entitled, “The Land that Time Forgot”, the survivors built a stronghold, which they named “Fort Dinosaur”. A handful of men, led by John Bradley leave Fort Dinosaur in order to explore the area surrounding the fortress. They never return.
“Out of Time’s Abyss” follows John Bradley in his travels through the island. The area surrounding the fort is inhabited with many dangerous primitive creatures and their expedition is filled with danger. Several men are killed and Bradley and the survivors never return to Fort Dinosaur. Bradley becomes separated from his men and is captured by a ghost-like flying creature.
The creature is a winged man who is a member of a race of beings called the Wieroo. The Wieroo are a strange race of beings, populated only by males. They reproduce by kidnapping the females of other advanced races on the island for breeding purposes. The Wieroo’s preferred race is the Galu race. Consquently, a perpetual state of war exists between the Wieroo and the Galu. The winner of this war will ultimately control Caspak.
The Wieroo capture Bradley and keep him imprisoned inside an island prison located on an inland lake. Bradley, with the help of Co-Tan (a member of the Galu race), is able to escape from his prison. He eventually meets the leader of the Wieroo and after a struggle, decapitates him with his own sword. Bradley and Co-Tan then force 2 Wieroo to fly them off the island and back to the mainland. Once they return to Caspak, Bradley meets a rescue party and the entire group leaves the island.
“Out of Time’s Abyss” is the least known of the Caspak trilogy. Both of its prequels have both been adapted to cinema however, this novel was not. “Out of Time’s Abyss” however, does close the loop on the entire story. Characters from all three Caspak books are re introduced in the third installment and everyone leaves the island. Also, this book finally explains the unique evolutionary system on the island.
This book, while not widely read, is recommended reading for fans of Edgar Rice Burroughs. It finally explains Caspak’s secrets.
Mark Askeda