Audible Book Review: The Monster Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs

This is a good ironic, vintage sci fi.

The Monster Men
By: Edgar Rice Burroughs
Narrated by: Sean Murphy

Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins
Published May 4th 2015 (first published November 1913)
Genre: Classic Literature, Horror, Sci Fi Classic
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

They called him Number Thirteen, the latest and best of Dr. von Horn's attempts to create life from chemicals. He found himself an almost-human on von Horn's hideaway jungle island off the coast of Borneo. He saw the monsters that had preceded him and grew used to those dreadful travesties of humanity.
Not until Number thirteen met the American girl who was von Horn's prisoner did he realize how different he was from the others. Then, monster or not, he turned against his master and his "brothers" and threw in his lot with the girl in a desperate attempt to escape the island of terror.

Review:
Professor Maxon has secretly been working on creating “man”. His attempts have left him with ruined bodies and estranged from his daughter, Virginia. Now the two are headed to a remote Asian jungle island accompanied by the Professor’s new assistant, Dr. von Horn.

As the time passes the Professor remains locked in the cabin with his lab work. One after one the ‘monsters’ are produced and caged. Each creation, from number one through twelve, are a little better developed and a little less monstrous. As Dr. von Horn keeps the professor’s secrets, he also attempts to woe Virginia. She is lovely but he is mostly interested in her inheritance. He is not the only one after the Professor’s treasure chest. Crew members and local natives are conspiring with nearby pirates to take the girl and the treasure.

The camp is attacked and the Professor suspects that his latest experiment has been damaged a few days before it is ready. Instead the pod opens to reveal Number Thirteen – a beautiful manly specimen ready to be taught language and manners.

As the pirates are attempting to kidnap Virginia, they are interrupted by the monsters. Virginia is horrified to be pulled away from the kidnappers to be put in the hands of a ghastly monster. Then she faints only to awaken in the arms of a beautiful man, Number Thirteen. Number Thirteen is enchanted by Virginia but the Professor and von Horn convince him that Virginia could never love a soulless monster.

A chase ensues as von Horn tries desperately to get to Virginia and the treasure. He is quick to tell the Professor that Number Thirteen is the one to blame for the attacks. But von Horn doesn’t realize that there is a shadow watching his every betrayal. A shadow who hopes to save Virginia… and maybe Number Thirteen.

The adventure is full of a macabre atmosphere in a fitting earlier year setting. I may have rolled my eyes a few times at the simplest nature of the beauty and beast romance, but I enjoyed the chase and the fine horror and ironic ending. This is a mix of Frankenstein, Tarzan and Dr. Moreau. I may prefer the Barsoom Series (John Carter on Mars) but I do recommend this to readers who enjoy vintage sci fi mixed with horror.

Audio Notes: The narration by Sean Murphy fits the vintage nature of the story. This is a type of story I am more inclined to listen to than read so I am glad I got it for a bargain at Audible.

There are many covers for this title but I think the most fitting is this one:

I picked this TBR for FRATERFEST.
Source: 2018 December Audible Purchase $.82. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.