Tag: H. Rider Haggard

Allan Quatermain

Allan Quatermain
Complete & Unabridged Classic Edition
by H. Rider Haggard

This 1887 sequel to “King Solomon’s Mines”, opens with “Hunter” Quatermain mourning the death of his only son, a medical student who died of smallpox while working in a hospital, and growing restive with the life of a wealthy English gentlemen. When his old companions, Sir Henry Curtis and Captain Good, appear unexpectedly at his door and express their longing to return to Africa and the adventures of the wilderness, Quatermain reveals his own intention to journey to an unexplored region in search of a fabled lost tribe of white men isolated from the rest of Africa.

Joined by the aging but still mighty Zulu warrior Umslopogaas, the company battles Masai warriors, finds and navigates an underground river, and discovers the land of Zu-Vendis hidden beyond a mountain range. The land is ruled by two sisters as queens, and the advent of Quatermain’s party sets in motion a chain of events leading to conflict and ultimately civil war, in which Quatermain and his companions play a major role. Continue reading “Allan Quatermain”

King Solomon’s Mines

King Solomon’s Mines
Unabridged Classic Authorized Edition
by H. Rider Haggard

When originally published in 1885 “King Solomon’s Mines” quickly became the best-selling book of the year, with the publisher working feverishly to print copies fast enough to meet demand. Ironically the book, which was written in less than four months and perhaps in as little as six weeks, had been rejected by numerous publishers who believed its novelty left it without commercial value.

It was both the first example of the popular “lost world” genre and the first English adventure novel set in Africa. The use of first-person subjective viewpoint and a narrative in familiar conversational style were radical departure from the ornate language and omniscient viewpoint of the books of the day. Continue reading “King Solomon’s Mines”

King Solomon’s Mines [Large Print]

King Solomon’s Mines
Unabridged Large Print Edition
by H. Rider Haggard

When originally published in 1885 “King Solomon’s Mines” quickly became the best-selling book of the year, with the publisher working feverishly to print copies fast enough to meet demand. Ironically the book, which was written in less than four months and perhaps in as little as six weeks, had been rejected by numerous publishers who believed its novelty left it without commercial value. Continue reading “King Solomon’s Mines [Large Print]”