Martin Gardner’s 1957 classic Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science is a curious artifact, a book documenting the peculiar beliefs of the early 20th century (an era clearly not governed by the cool, logical rationality that defines modern society). Among the deranged non-consensus models on display: the hollow-earth theories of John Cleves Symmes, Jr. and Cyrus Reed Teed. Their hollow-earth theory is exactly what it sounds like: Symmes and Teed believed the Earth was hollow.
While hollow-earth theories are manifest nonsense, science fiction and fantasy are adept at adapting such absurdities for useful narrative purposes. See, for example, the multitude of stories dependent on faster-than-light drives, mental telepathy, and the Singularity. Just because something doesn’t exist in real life does not mean there’s not an interesting story to be found in it. Consider these five hollow-world stories.
Etidorhpa by John Uri Lloyd (1895)
Johannes Llewellyn Llongollyn Drury’s occult and pharmaceutical research is interrupted by the enigmatically-named The-Man-Who-Did-It, a mysterious traveler insistent on conveying his thrilling adventures to Drury. Kidnapped for knowing too much by a secret society, The-Man-Who-Did-It is compelled to undertake a journey deep into the Earth itself, a journey of wonderous discovery and philosophical illumination, all of which is conveyed to Drury in great detail and with marvelous illustrations.
There is a certain school of criticism all too dependent on dismissively asking “Was this written on drugs?” As is the case with Robert Anton Wilson’s works, it is perfectly legitimate to ask such a question about this book. A hint: John Uri Lloyd was among other things, an enthusiastic and frank pioneer psychonaut, as documented in his scientific papers.
The World and Thorinn by Damon Knight (1981)
Thorinn, hampered by a pronounced limp, is an unlikely explorer of his world’s deeps. His stepfather, seeking to appease angry gods, casts Thorinn into a deep well. Thorinn is compelled to explore ever deeper. Result: illumination of a world history long forgotten by humans, as well as a dilemma: Is it better for people to be free and thus endangered by their worst impulses, or safe but in no sense free?
There are no doubt sunnily optimistic proponents of New Wave-affiliated-SF, but Orbit editor Damon Knight was not one of them. Thus, Thorinn’s quest both educates and depresses the poor adventurer, who was arguably better off not knowing what he has learned by the end of this fix-up novel.
The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean (2005)
For Symone ‘Sym’ Wates, accompanying her supposed uncle and self-appointed surrogate father Victor Briggs to Antarctica is a welcome escape from her troubled life. Too bad for Sym that Briggs is not merely a deluded true believer in Symmes’ hollow-earth nonsense. Briggs is a ruthless fanatic whose intentions for Sym are in no sense benevolent. At least Sym has mentor Titus to advise her. Too bad that Titus is her imaginary friend, inspired by the long-dead ‘Titus’ Oates, thus of little help with regards to the physical dangers that await her.
In general, speculative fiction (like fairy tales) tends to view stepparents with suspicion, a fact that might spark a “five stepparents who were actually decent parents doing their best” essay. In this case, however, Briggs is an active danger to those around him, especially Sym.
Children Who Chase Lost Voices by Makoto Shinkai (2011)
Saved from a violent animal by Shun, orphan Asuna discovers that Shun and the animal from which Asuna was saved come from Agartha, a realm deep within the Earth. Following Shun’s death, Asuna is recruited by teacher Ryuuji Morisaki in a bid to find a path from the mundane world to Agartha. It would be a grand adventure…if only grief did not compel widower Morisaki to commit appalling acts in his determination to exploit Agartha for his own ends.
Yep, another hollow-earth story involving a parental figure (of sorts) who is Bad News. This correlation between “hollow earth” and “dreadful adult minders” has to be the product of a small sample size. Right?
In any case, the anime is well worth seeking out for Shinkai’s glorious and detailed art.
Emilie and the Hollow World by Martha Wells (2013)
Sixteen-year-old Emilie has a cunning plan to escape her domineering uncle. A small flaw in said plan (no money to pay her fare) is easily solved by stowing away on a handy ship. Another trifling complication presents itself: the ship on which Emilie has stowed away is on its way not to the city to which Emilie wants to flee, but to the hidden world deep under the realm Emilie knows. It is an unknown world. The hollow world is dangerous as well: only one member of the previous expedition ever returned.
At least in this book Emilie’s uncle isn’t the one sending her towards certain danger, merely someone from whom she wishes to escape. However, this is a world that abounds in explorers who, upon discovering a naïve girl hidden on board, cheerfully bring her along to the realm of NO RETURN.
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Of course, many authors have used hollow-earth settings. You may have favorites not mentioned above. If so, please mention them in comments below.
In the words of fanfiction author Musty181, four-time Hugo finalist, prolific book reviewer, and perennial Darwin Award nominee James Davis Nicoll “looks like a default mii with glasses.” His work has appeared in Interzone, Publishers Weekly and Romantic Times as well as on his own websites, James Nicoll Reviews (where he is assisted by editor Karen Lofstrom and web person Adrienne L. Travis) and the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Aurora Award finalist Young People Read Old SFF (where he is assisted by web person Adrienne L. Travis). His Patreon can be found here.
