The Pools of Silence

"The Pools of Silence" by H. de Vere Stacpoole is an adventure story that begins with a striking sunset over Paris, where Dr. Paul Quincy Adams, a strong American doctor, attends a lecture by the well-known Dr. Thénard. Suddenly, his life changes when he meets the mysterious Captain Berselius, who offers him a job as the doctor on a big-game hunt in the Congo. At first, Adams is unsure because the job could be hard and dangerous, but he becomes intrigued by the Congo and the captain, despite warnings from others about Berselius's possibly dangerous charm. The author sets up a journey full of adventure and hints at the tough moral choices Adams will have to make as he faces the wild and faces what it means to be human.