H. Rider Hagard in general

King Solomon's Mines - H. Rider Haggard

If H. Rider Haggard wasn't one of those George Orwell characterized as "good bad writers" - and very likely he was - he definitely should have been. Orwell meant by that the writers who are compelling despite their faults, or even perhaps because of their faults. They aren't perfect technicians or grammarians or stylists, but they come near to perfection as story-tellers. Though not all the time. Not all of Haggard's book have lasted very well, but at least two of them will probably survive as long as popular literature does. Those two are *She* and *King Solomon's Mines*, which is the story of three white men who discover an ancient black ...

King Solomon's Mines - H. Rider Haggard

If H. Rider Haggard wasn't one of those George Orwell characterized as "good bad writers" - and very likely he was - he definitely should have been. Orwell meant by that the writers who are compelling despite their faults, or even perhaps because of their faults. They aren't perfect technicians or grammarians or stylists, but they come near to perfection as story-tellers. Though not all the time. Not all of Haggard's book have lasted very well, but at least two of them will probably survive as long as popular literature does. Those two are *She* and *King Solomon's Mines*, which is the story of three white men who discover an ancient black ...

King Solomon's Mines - H. Rider Haggard

This was the first book I read by Rider Haggard, when I was about 10! I still love it now, showing that it is suitable for all ages. Like Allan Quatermain and She, this novel is an adventure story following explorers into the depths of Africa. Once again, they discover a hidden kingdom which becomes ravaged by civil war. The characters in the book are well-drawn; Allan Quatermain is the grizzled old hunter, worldweary and cynical with a heart of gold. Curtis is an English squire, athletic and strong. Good is the comedy character, a vain naval officer who insists on shaving and wearing his monocle even in Africa. Haggard's depiction of race is interesting. While ...

King Solomon's Mines - H. Rider Haggard

This was the first book I read by Rider Haggard, when I was about 10! I still love it now, showing that it is suitable for all ages. Like Allan Quatermain and She, this novel is an adventure story following explorers into the depths of Africa. Once again, they discover a hidden kingdom which becomes ravaged by civil war. The characters in the book are well-drawn; Allan Quatermain is the grizzled old hunter, worldweary and cynical with a heart of gold. Curtis is an English squire, athletic and strong. Good is the comedy character, a vain naval officer who insists on shaving and wearing his monocle even in Africa. Haggard's depiction of race is interesting. While ...

She - H. Rider Haggard

I've already reviewed "Allan Quatermain" by Rider Haggard, so I thought I would continue the tradition! She is an African adventure story. A Cambridge Don, Lawrence Holly and his ward, Leo Vincey, travel into the heart of Africa where they find a seemingly immortal white queen ruling a tribe of cannibals. The plot is gripping, like "Allan Quatermain". The story is truly eerie. The Amahaggar people live in caves hollowed out of mountains by a prehistoric race who also possessed skills akin to Egyptian mummification techniques. However these mysterious techniques are much more effective than the Egyptians' and result in bodies being ...

She - H. Rider Haggard

I've already reviewed "Allan Quatermain" by Rider Haggard, so I thought I would continue the tradition! She is an African adventure story. A Cambridge Don, Lawrence Holly and his ward, Leo Vincey, travel into the heart of Africa where they find a seemingly immortal white queen ruling a tribe of cannibals. The plot is gripping, like "Allan Quatermain". The story is truly eerie. The Amahaggar people live in caves hollowed out of mountains by a prehistoric race who also possessed skills akin to Egyptian mummification techniques. However these mysterious techniques are much more effective than the Egyptians' and result in bodies being ...