Quest of Qui

Doc Savage (Bantam) #12

by Kenneth Robeson (House Name), Lester Dent

WHO IS DOC SAVAGE?

To the world at large, Doc Savage is a strange, mysterious figure of glistening bronze skin and golden eyes. To his amazing co-adventurers - the five greatest brains ever assembled in one group - he is a man of superhuman strength and protean genius, whose life is dedicated to the destruction of evil-doers. To his fans he is one of the greatest adventure heroes of all time, whose fantastic exploits are unequalled for hair-raising thrills, breathtaking escapes and bloodcurdling excitement.

DOC SAVAGE AND HIS FABULOUS CREW BATTLE THE TERROR OF THE NORTH

It started when a Viking Dragon ship attacked a yacht in the waters outside New York. Next, “Ham” was stabbed with a 1,200 year-old Viking knife. Then Johnny was captured and frozen solid in a block of Arctic ice. Finally, even the mighty man of bronze himself — Doc Savage — is kidnapped and enslaved by the chilling menace. What is his plan this time? Can he save himself and his friends from almost certain destruction?

Genres: Adventure, Pulp, Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action, Mystery

138 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1935

About the author

Kenneth Robeson was the house name used by Street and Smith Publications as the author of their popular character Doc Savage and later The Avenger. Though most Doc Savage stories were written by the author Lester Dent, there were many others who contributed to the series, including:

William G. Bogart
Evelyn Coulson
Harold A. Davis
Lawrence Donovan
Alan Hathway
W. Ryerson Johnson

Lester Dent is usually considered to be the creator of Doc Savage. In the 1990s Philip José Farmer wrote a new Doc Savage adventure, but it was published under his own name and not by Robeson. Will Murray has since taken up the pseudonym and continued writing Doc Savage books as Robeson.

All 24 of the original stories featuring The Avenger were written by Paul Ernst, using the Robeson house name. In order to encourage sales Kenneth Robeson was credited on the cover of The Avenger magazine as "the creator of Doc Savage" even though Lester Dent had nothing to do with The Avenger series. In the 1970s, when the series was extended with 12 additional novels, Ron Goulart was hired to become Robeson.

Reviews

[Checkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has literally been thirty-five years since I read a Doc Savage novel. Thirty-five years! So in the name of nostalgia I picked up Quest of Qui. Well I finished it and here are a few observations courtesy of my super obervation skills. It's a pulp fiction novel from the mid-thirties. It isn't a very challenging read. The story is implausible . Doc is amazing and he's super, but he isn't totally infalliable. At one point while running to his buddies (in the dark) he smacks into a tree which I didn't expect and found refreshing. Yes the attitudes and politics are from another time (duh) and some of the tech is hilarious, but there is some technology (night vision goggles) that is amazingly prescient. No it isn't high literature, but I liked it. Really nothing more than the ancestor of the "men's action novels" that I devoured as a teenager. I loved the Doc Savage and Shadow books as a kid and now and again it's fun to re-visit my youth. They've held up well because at the age of thirteen I knew that I wasn't reading literature.

[Randy D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a short break from the Doc Savage stories to read Edgar Rice Burroughs’ The Lost Continent (Before Thirty) to compare it to the previous Doc Savage story of which I read … The Other World. With that self-imposed task accomplished, I read another Doc Savage adventure titled Quest Of Qui.

This story has somewhat of a different beginning, in that Johnny is working solo in the first three chapters; it also differs from Lester's usual literary technique in that the criminal mastermind of the caper is revealed to the reader and Doc’s guys about midway through the story.  Quest Of Qui begins with a yacht, sighting of all things, an ancient Viking ship off the coast of Long Island. The story continues from there to the frozen wilderness of Labrador and ultimately to the Land of Qui.

Johnny is reunited with his crew mates and Doc, but they have one close call after another during the course of their adventure. The criminals fail to obtain their objective and meet their deaths in an unorthodox manner, and Doc and the guys make it back home in an entirely different mode of transportation other than which they departed.

Quest Of Qui is an example of the “lost civilization” stories that were prevalent during the early twentieth century. This story is somewhat unique as the “Viking angle” almost makes this Doc Savage adventure believable, however, it is pulp fiction, and is meant to be strictly entertainment, as the reader doesn’t have to believe the story to be entertained. So, the mystery of the Viking ship has been solved and it’s on to the next thrilling adventure for Doc and his crew, which promises to be one of, “a high order, and interest and thrills aplenty.” 1

Since Quest Of Qui was a little different, I'll give it a five star rating; the story is somewhat corny, but I was entertained for a couple of evenings, almost 90 years after it appeared in the July, 1935 issue of Doc Savage Magazine, at newsstands everywhere for the price of one thin dime. *****

 
1.  Doc Savage Magazine, July, 1935

[Tobin Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way back in the 70s, when this book was only forty years old, instead of the ninety years old it is now (and damn, where did those extra fifty years go!), I was a pin-headed little nerdy almost teen, and I devoured the totally out-of-order re-releases Bantam was putting out with the really cool covers and, fifty years on, of the bunch of them I read, I can still remember five particular elements or scenes that stuck out and remain with me all these years later.

The first was...well, the first book, because, it was the first book. But primarily, it was Doc doing surgery in the jungle.

The second was being in the Canadian woods with Pat Savage in Brand of the Werewolf.

And, 29 books in, there was the detail of the guys with the weathered foreheads and noses, but the clean cheeks and chins, because of recently shaved beards. Welcome to Quest of Qui.

There's still two more details or elements that I remember, and I'm curious to see what books they'll come up in.

But yeah, that beard thing was literally all I'd remembered of this particular yarn. I have to admit though, I was pleasantly surprised at how much Johnny we got in this one. Renny might as well have not been mentioned at all, and of course Monk and Ham were there (because they're always there).

As for the adventure itself? It was okay. Hey, Doc actually used a gun, so there's that. But, no real racism or misogny in this one, nothing horrifyingly objectionable.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quest of Qui is a "Doc Savage" novel by Kenneth Robeson. Kenneth Robeson was the house name Street and Smith Publications used as the author of their popular Doc Savage novels. Though most Doc Savage stories were written by the author Lester Dent, there were many others who contributed to the series, including: William G. Bogart, Evelyn Coulson, Harold A. Davis, Lawrence Donovan, Alan Hathway, and W. Ryerson Johnson.
I love reading these old pulp novels from time to time. I read about 80%+ of the Doc Savage novels when I was a teenager but that was a very long time ago. I have been trying to find them again in the Bantam editions I read in my youth. I have found several of them in used bookstores and have bought several from online aftermarket bookstores.
In this one, Doc Savage and his men are in the thick of it again. The action is classic Doc Savage, filled with good old-fashioned adventure and gadgets that always seem to be there when the hero needs them. You can relax and escape for a little while. A good read in the Doc Savage series.

[Ben Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, finished one in a day.

Again, astonishing how accurate the pseudo science of the late 1930s was- spectrography, pocket flash lights, bullet proof clothing, light sensitive glass.

This one didn't suffer as much as some of the others from " word quota" meaning you can tell that this one wasn't written just to fill a column. Bit anti-climactic as the villians literally drown. Also they kept talking about a MacGuffin McMuffin and it just sort of ... percolated out. I thought it would be a major revelation and then it was just " meh".

Overall much better than the later episodes- this is a stand out episode in a decent mod season run- the kind that gets pulled up in trivia nights or fan forums. Nice easy enjoyable read

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Challenge 2018: book with alliteration in the title. Once again, Doc Savage and his five stalwart friends leap into the fray to uncover a mystery involving a group of little people known as the Qui, a Viking boat and treasure, and take care of the bad guys involved. There were a lot of edit errors in this novel, making me wonder if it had been rushed. The five friends are captured, with more of a focus on Johnny and his adventure than the others. Not as much action or technology in this novel. Still, I love the old pulp fiction books.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

How did an ancient Viking ship appear off the New York coast and why did the Vikings aboard attack and commandeer a modern yacht? William Harper Littlejohn, one of Doc Savage's men, makes an effort to find out and gets captured, which kicks off this rollicking adventure. Not great literature, but it's entertaining.

[Jimbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, these books just remind me when I was a kid and I needed a light read, hence Doc Savage. This one wasn't my favorite, but it was still fun an fast and I enjoyed the memories more than this story line of a group of natives neat the Arctic Circle and a lost bunch of Vikings.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this Doc adventure in the 70s

[Devin Coryell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 / 5

[Laura Carroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

They're still fun!

[Du · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the original stories in this vast series, so it had a tighter feel than some of the newer recreations. I liked it, and felt that it was creative and at the same time well paced.

[C. Scott Kippen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Doc Savage book. If you know Doc Savage books you know what to expect. This one was one of the lesser ones. It is not bad, but it is not as compelling as others.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Doc Savage story appeared in 1933 and the series ran in pulp and later digest format into 1949. Bantam reprinted the entire series in paperback with wonderful, iconic covers starting in the 1960's. Doc was arguably the first great modern superhero with a rich background, continuity, and mythos. The characterizations were far richer than was common for the pulps; his five associates and their sometimes-auxiliary, Doc's cousin Pat, and the pets Chemistry and Habeas Corpus, all had very distinctive characteristics and their byplay was frequently more entertaining that the current adventure-of-the-month. The settings were also fascinating: Doc's Fortress of Solitude, the Hidalgo Trading Company (which served as a front for his armada of vehicles), and especially the mysterious 86th floor headquarters all became familiar haunts to the reader, and the far-flung adventures took the intrepid band to exotic and richly-described locations all over the world. The adventures were always fast-paced and exciting, from the early apocalyptic world-saving extravaganzas of the early days to the latter scientific-detective style shorter works of the post-World War Two years. There were always a few points that it was difficult to believe along the way, but there were always more ups than downs, and there was never, ever a dull moment. The Doc Savage books have always been my favorite entertainments... I was always, as Johnny would say, superamalgamated!

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long time ago when the world was younger and I was but a child full of wonder. The pulps reigned supreme, the exploits of Doc Savage, the Shadow and the Spider were the superheroes that I read read along side the comics.
While I still read Marvel comics the pulps became harder to find as I grew older.
Whilst rooting in local charity shops I came across a couple of Doc Savage novels. Thin and worn they caught my eye and begged me to relive my childhood.
As all men are wont to do at certain times.
I read this one with high hopes and a childhood glint in my eye.
But alas times had changed and the world has become more cynical and I have evolved with it.
The story was as fantastical as ever and the formula style of writing does not not quite sit with my modern mind.
Sometimes it's nice to read a bit of whimsy , I try to relive my childhood all the time. Sometimes good sometimes not so.
I look forward to reading the latest Savage story by Will Murray to see if it fits with the modern reader
Doc is still a great hero and needs a modern outing, and perhaps a new non camp film treatment.
Author Wayne Reinagel has written some fantastic riffs on the pulp heroes, very entertaining and easy to read also a fanboys dream.
Long live Doc Savage

[Oliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

SPOILERS

Book # 16 in the shelf experiment

I picked this book up at a swap meet about a year ago and just got around to reading it. I'd had no experience with Doc Savage before and had assumed the character had gotten his start in comic books. What I came to learn was that the character was featured in his own magazine in the 30's and the series of books that were later released were reprintings of these early works.

Anyway, Quest of Qui tells the story of the discovery of a mysterious viking ship in "modern" day New York. When one of Doc Savage's crew gets too close to learning its origin, he's kidnapped and held until Doc and the rest of his adventure team can locate their missing buddy and solve the mystery of the modern day vikings. Along the way, they encounter a forgotten ancient pygmy race, rum runners posing as allies and survive numerous attempts on their lives by "unseen" enemies.

It was an easy read and I could see how this might have appealed to youthful readers a long time ago but given how dated the story has become this should really only be of value to fans of Doc Savage and those interested in discovering adventure novels on the 30s.

[Duane Olds · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very Johnny heavy story and not a bad little read.
Doc and his men sure do love going around in airplanes, it must be written in their contracts that they have to fly a plane at least once a day.

This issue gave us such literary gems such as:
'Doc Savage, man of miracles, mystery and adventure.' (that's whats on Doc's Tinder bio)

'He was Colonel John Renwick, M. S., C. E., D. S. C., C. M. H. and a lot of other things.' (try putting that on a business card)

'They found out just how queer an instant later.' (...ok, you have my attention now...)

"Shut up," Johnny said. "I'm trying to pump her." (insert your own joke here)

"Nerts to you," said Peabody.' (Hey, it's Nerts or nothing!)


Also, for those playing along at home, this issues superamalgamated count: 2

Oh well, on to the next one...

[Robert D · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this adventure, viking raiders from the past strike and make enough of a scene to cause Doc's aid, William Harper Littlejohn to investigate. His journey north quickly becomes perilous and he must radio for help. Then attempts are made on the lives of Doc Savages and 'Monk', meanwhile 'Ham' has been kidnapped. This leads Doc and his men to the arctic north where they encounter many secrets from the past and entangles him with a mysterious people that seek total isolation, and their slaves who are ruthless criminals that escaped and are returning with the means to recover all the Qui's hidden treasures.

[Stormcrow Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly typical Doc outing, though it's nice to have William Harper Littlejohn in the lead for a good chunk, especially since he and Long Tom are the two least developed characters of Doc's sidekicks.

The story isn't one of Doc's better adventures, but it's a quick read and fun for hardcore Doc fans. But I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for their first (or even their second) Doc book.

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the pulp era heroes few stand out above the crowd, Doc Savage is one of these. With his 5 aides and cousin he adventures across the world. Fighting weird menaces, master criminals and evil scientists Doc and the Fab 5 never let you down for a great read. These stories have all you need; fast paced action, weird mystery, and some humor as the aides spat with each other. My highest recommendation.

[Jeff Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this adventure. It was another lost civilization tale, which is always fun, but the standout point for me was that it concentrated on Johnny. Nice to see one of the Fab 5 other than Monk or Ham get some attention.

[Scott Combs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading these books, all 180+ of them. None are exceptionally well written nor remotely noteworthy but they just satisfy for a quick, mindless adventure. The characters are very predictable and the conflicts are repetitive. So, either you like them or you don't.

[Ed Wyrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Norse dragonship is sighted by a luxury yacht, then boarded and commandeered by Vikings. Ancient Viking knives and spears appear from nowhere in attacks against Doc Savage and his. few. First Johnny then Ham go missing. It's the beginning of another adventure for Doc Savage.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's always fun to be introduced to an adventure yarn. Kenneth Robeson creates imaginative plots for Doc Savage and his gang of great brains. This is #12 in the series. I plan to look up the earlier books.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

About average.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vikings attack a luxury yacht and invisible killers murder with alarm clocks. The explanations, however, turn out to be a lot less exciting than the set up, so not the best of the series.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Doc book I bought, as I remember.

[Ronald · Rating 2 out of 5]

read in summer of 1966

[Dale Rosso · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read, enjoy them no matter how old I get.