Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake (1948) by Hugh Lofting is the final completed novel in the beloved Doctor Dolittle series, posthumously published after Lofting’s death in 1947. This grand adventure reunites readers with the kind-hearted, animal-speaking doctor as he embarks on his most perilous quest yet: to save his old friend, Mudface the giant turtle, and uncover an ancient secret buried beneath the titular hidden lake.
The story unfolds as Mudface recounts a biblical-scale flood legend (echoing Noah’s Ark), revealing how he and other animals survived the deluge. Dolittle, with his trusty animal companions—including Polynesia the parrot and Chee-Chee the monkey—braves treacherous jungles and human adversaries to protect Mudface from hunters seeking his longevity secrets. Lofting’s signature blend of whimsy and warmth shines, though darker undertones reflect the author’s postwar disillusionment.
A poignant capstone to the series, Secret Lake weaves myth, ecology, and adventure, celebrating Dolittle’s timeless creed: that all creatures deserve kindness and a voice.
