R. M. Ballantyne’s 1861 novel

is the sequel to the more famous

and was written as part of the controversy that exploded in London in that year concerning the French-American naturalist Paul du Chaillu’s claim to be the first white man to shoot a gorilla. Ballantyne draws heavily on du Chaillu’s

to produce a sensational account of the “satanic” gorilla that blends gruesome depictions of wounded and dying animals with the prim moralising characteristic of his work. The novel was a considerable popular success and contributed significantly to Ballantyne’s growing reputation as among the favourite authors of Britain’s youth.

The story begins with the reunion of the three heroes of The Coral

814 words

Citation: Miller, John . "The Gorilla Hunters". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 10 May 2007 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=21025, accessed 25 November 2024.]