King Solomon Mines edition by H Rider Haggard Sheba Blake Literature Fiction eBooks
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King Solomon's Mines is a popular novel by the Victorian adventure writer and fabulist Sir H. Rider Haggard. It tells of a search of an unexplored region of Africa by a group of adventurers led by Allan Quatermain for the missing brother of one of the party. It is the first English adventure novel set in Africa, and is considered to be the genesis of the Lost World literary genre. Allan Quatermain, an adventurer and white hunter based in Durban, in what is now South Africa, is approached by aristocrat Sir Henry Curtis and his friend Captain Good, seeking his help finding Sir Henry's brother, who was last seen travelling north into the unexplored interior on a quest for the fabled King Solomon's Mines. Quatermain has a mysterious map purporting to lead to the mines, but had never taken it seriously. However, he agrees to lead an expedition in return for a share of the treasure, or a stipend for his son if he is killed along the way. He has little hope they will return alive, but reasons that he has already outlived most people in his profession, so dying in this manner at least ensures that his son will be provided for. They also take along a mysterious native, Umbopa, who seems more regal, handsome and well-spoken than most porters of his class, but who is very anxious to join the party.
King Solomon Mines edition by H Rider Haggard Sheba Blake Literature Fiction eBooks
I enjoyed this book thoroughly, even though the protagonist, Alan Quartermain, slaughters elephants without compunction and has no use for women. You simply have to transport yourself back to the late nineteenth century to feel comfortable with Quartermain's worldview. Do that, and you're in for a great adventure story.Rider Haggard envisioned King Solomon's Mines as a boys' book, and its focus is on manly adventure. The plot revolves around a treasure hunt. What could be more boyish? The adventures include crossing a deadly desert and deadlier mountains, taking part in a bloody native uprising, and foiling the evil intentions of an ancient female witch doctor.
Quartermain considers the white man superior to the black man, exhibiting the racism of his time. But at the same time he admits he has encountered true gentlemen among the natives, and two of his most admirable characters are black -- the regal Umbopa and his uncle, the good old soldier Infandoos, both men of honor.
Quartermain's companions in the hunt for King Solomon's mines are lively characters. Sir Henry Curtis, sponsor of the expedition, looks like a Viking, is immensely strong and loves a good battle. Captain Good, former naval officer, is a fastidious dresser with beautiful false teeth, a monocle and very white legs, all of which impress the natives. He swears a lot and is susceptible to women. His attraction to a beautiful black girl is the only spot of romance in the book.
The heroes in this book experience many close calls. Quartermain's frank admission that he is not a brave man offers a nice contrast to the heroics of his brave companions, black and white.
This is a classic not to be missed by lovers of English literature. The introduction to the Penquin edition is excellent.
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King Solomon Mines edition by H Rider Haggard Sheba Blake Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews
This is the second series of books I’ve read by R. Rider Haggard, the first being the pair of ‘She’ or Princess Ayesha stories. I found the Ayesha stories more intriguing and my understanding is that ‘She’ was even more popular than Allan Quatermain when first published. Quatermain, however, has probably stood the test of time better and has been more influential. King Solomon’s Mines is regarded as the start of the “Lost World” genre that so many famous writers including Edgar Rice Burroughs and Arthur Conan Doyle carried on. Burroughs, in particular, should probably have paid Haggard royalties for using the Lost World genre in literally half or more of the Tarzan stories.
In the 1800’s writers didn’t create characters as much as they tended to use tropes. That’s why it’s so refreshing that Quatermain breaks stereotypes and confesses to being quite timid. In one of the climactic battles he’s knocked out and only awakes when the fighting has ceased. He is like the anti-Indiana Jones, a character who almost assuredly wouldn’t exist had in not been for Allan Quatermain. The mines of King Solomon very much have an Indiana Jones feel to it including a huge stone door activated by a secret lever.
A modern reader may find the story predictable and derivative but that’s likely because King Solomon’s Mines became the template for so many stories to follow. If I had one issue it would be that the story is told in the first person, which is common for stories from the era. The problem with first person narratives is that you KNOW that no matter what the danger is, the main character MUST survive since they are alive to tell the story. There is a tense scene where Allan and his cohorts are trapped in a seemingly inescapable trap but since he’s narrating we know he survives. Unless he’s telling the story from his eventual tomb.
This is more than just an influential story it’s also a well written story. This is the third book by Haggard I’ve read along with two of his Ayesha stories and I’m a little surprised his name isn’t better known. I’m sure his fans will be offended by my statement but I’m willing to bet that the average person on the street would not recognize R. Rider Haggard’s name. The Ayesha stories made more of a lasting impression on me but this first Quatermain novel is a great book.
I remember reading the Classics Illustrated graphic novel version of this great story when I was a kid, and I was delighted to see the original version on . A great classic adventure, with humor, suspense, bloody battles, and even horror. But, as it was with classic adventures, the good guys come out on top and wholesome values are emphasized. Allusions to the Old Testament are numerous.
This adventure yarn has stood the test of time. It has been made in to numerous film versions, one starring Stewart Granger and another starring Richard Chamberlain as Allen Quatermain. Some readers may only be familiar with the Quatermain character as he was portrayed by Sean Connery in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen film (but that was an entirely different story.) The story is entertaining enough and fairly well written although one cannot confuse author, Haggard with classical authors. Still, the story is fun and packed with numerous life or death scrapes. Modern readers need to remember that this book was written long before the civil rights movement and may jar readers with racist language.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly, even though the protagonist, Alan Quartermain, slaughters elephants without compunction and has no use for women. You simply have to transport yourself back to the late nineteenth century to feel comfortable with Quartermain's worldview. Do that, and you're in for a great adventure story.
Rider Haggard envisioned King Solomon's Mines as a boys' book, and its focus is on manly adventure. The plot revolves around a treasure hunt. What could be more boyish? The adventures include crossing a deadly desert and deadlier mountains, taking part in a bloody native uprising, and foiling the evil intentions of an ancient female witch doctor.
Quartermain considers the white man superior to the black man, exhibiting the racism of his time. But at the same time he admits he has encountered true gentlemen among the natives, and two of his most admirable characters are black -- the regal Umbopa and his uncle, the good old soldier Infandoos, both men of honor.
Quartermain's companions in the hunt for King Solomon's mines are lively characters. Sir Henry Curtis, sponsor of the expedition, looks like a Viking, is immensely strong and loves a good battle. Captain Good, former naval officer, is a fastidious dresser with beautiful false teeth, a monocle and very white legs, all of which impress the natives. He swears a lot and is susceptible to women. His attraction to a beautiful black girl is the only spot of romance in the book.
The heroes in this book experience many close calls. Quartermain's frank admission that he is not a brave man offers a nice contrast to the heroics of his brave companions, black and white.
This is a classic not to be missed by lovers of English literature. The introduction to the Penquin edition is excellent.
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