The original and best Rider Haggard (King Solomon's Mines - H. Rider Haggard)

Member Name: rose_haire

Product:	King Solomon's Mines - H. Rider Haggard
Date:	07/12/00 (75 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: exciting plot

Disadvantages: bad style occasionally

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 he shares the prejudices of his era he respects the culture of the African people, and is able to respect Ignosi, the central African character. His depiction of the African landscape is also interesting. The land itself is feminised as the male explorers conquer it. Male friendship is very important and even takes on a homoerotic dimension.

The storyline is typically full of twists and turns, and the moment of the discovery of King Solomon's Mines themselves is amazing. This book is a classic and deserves to be widely read.

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