King Solomon's Mines, Allan Quatermain, She

by H. Rider Haggard

Book Overview

These three great novels of African adventure continue to be favorite reading of those who love a thrilling tale. Perhaps the reason that they continue to be part of the public imagination, delighting each new generation afresh, is that they are filled with qualities close to the human heart: adventure, discovery, desire for immortality, terror, the search for the primitive . . . for what is unadorned by civilization. As Kipling said of Haggard's...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486206432
• ISBN13: 9780486206431
• Release Date: June 1951
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 656 Pages
• Weight: 1.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Jungle Adventure - Powerful Women

All three novels follow exploits of explorer Allan Quartermain. All three novels, although most centrally She, include the powerful idea of the Woman a primal force seen through the eyes of a man not a feminist. Also all three are currently analyzed for racism, since they are written by a British person and set in Africa. But regardless of analysis all are action packed well written stories that are easy to read. Plot summaries: She - The title refers to She Who Must be Obeyed. In this novel Allan Quartermain is charged with looking after a deceased friend's nephew, Leo. They travel to Africa in search of a discovery that was also left to Leo - an advanced and hidden civilization in the heart of Africa. King Solomon's Mines - The sequel to She also stars Leo and Allan on another quest for a hidden and advanced civilization. This time the civilization is not ruled over by a powerful queen, but features warrior women. Allan Quartermain - Three explorers journey into the heart of Africa in search of the usual. This time they find a civilization ruled over by twin queens. Things get complicated when one of the explorers falls for a queen. Basically these are good fun adventure stories. I recommend reading She first, since it has been analyzed by Sigmund Freud, and generally is treated as serious. Like all of the stories She was written as entertainment. If you like that one it is worth it to read the other two novels so buying them together is cost effective. Even though the plots all deal with tough women rulers/warriors in the heart of Afica, they are different in the details and not at all repetitive.

Jungle Adventure - Powerful Women

All three novels follow exploits of explorer Allan Quartermain. All three novels, although most centrally She, include the powerful idea of the Woman a primal force seen through the eyes of a man not a feminist. Also all three are currently analyzed for racism, since they are written by a British person and set in Africa. But regardless of analysis all are action packed well written stories that are easy to read. Plot summaries: She - The title refers to She Who Must be Obeyed. In this novel Allan Quartermain is charged with looking after a deceased friend's nephew, Leo. They travel to Africa in search of a discovery that was also left to Leo - an advanced and hidden civilization in the heart of Africa. King Solomon's Mines - The sequel to She also stars Leo and Allan on another quest for a hidden and advanced civilization. This time the civilization is not ruled over by a powerful queen, but features warrior women. Allan Quartermain - Three explorers journey into the heart of Africa in search of the usual. This time they find a civilization ruled over by twin queens. Things get complicated when one of the explorers falls for a queen. Basically these are good fun adventure stories. I recommend reading She first, since it has been analyzed by Sigmund Freud, and generally is treated as serious. Like all of the stories She was written as entertainment. If you like that one it is worth it to read the other two novels. Even though the plots all deal with tough women rulers/warriors in the heart of Afica, they are different in the details and not at all repetitive.

Allan and She

H. Rider Haggard really knew how to write exciting adventure novels. These are "ripping good yarns". The characters are fully developed and the situations they find themselves in are very imaginative. All three stories here are about Englishmen discovering lost civilizations, but they are not at all repetitive. I found the character of Ayesha("She") to be one of the most fascinating female characters I ever read about. I could go on and on about the merits of these books, but i will just say that if you like adventure novels (and you don't have a predjudice against books written in a somewhat dated style), you should enjoy these stories.

Much Better Than the Movie Versions

I thoroughly enjoyed reading both KING SOLOMON'S MINES and ALLAN QUARTERMAIN. They offered more in the way of excitement and adventure than many current novels. Too, Haggard's chief character, Allan Quartermain, proves consistently to be a man of honor and courage. Quite the 19th century English gentleman. He is totally loyal to his friends Sir Henry Curtis and Captain Good, RN with many interesting asides into the personalities of each. All three are men of action, but AQ is the fabled "White Hunter" who is more at home in Africa than England. These are rousing good stories and not at all as stuffy as one would think, considering they were written during the Late-Victorian/Edwardian period. (I do have to admit that I was disappointed in SHE and couldn't get more than halfway through it.)

Dangerous women and mysterious lands

It might be a little bit too much of a good thing to read three H. Rider Haggard novels together in one go-- but it is such a good thing, that I didn't find it overpowering. Haggard writes with a richness of detail and sense of humor that are able to overcome any sense of datedness. Fine writing that captures the imagination._She_ is probably the strongest novel in the collection, with the introduction of Ayesha, the ultimate amoral femme fatale. Ayesha is immortal and rules her band of followers with an iron hand. When Ludwig Horace Holly and his ward appear in her forgotten nation, an ancient love triangle is revived. A meditation on the power of beauty and the violent nature of passion._King Solomon's Mines_ introduces the characters of Allan Quatermain, Sir Henry Curtis and Captain John Good as they go searching for King Solomon's legendary mines. The evil Gagool, wise woman and witch smeller, opposes them in their mission as they brave everything to find what they seek._Allan Quatermain_ continues the adventures introduced in the book before, with the friends restless for new adventure. Their searching takes among the Zu-Vendi, an isolated people of Persian descent. They are caught up in the warring between the beautiful twin queens Sorais and Nyleptha and love threatens even the bond between the adventurers themselves. Be aware that these books are a product of their time, and are written by a white man and set in Africa. They contain artifacts of prejudice that can offend.