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King Solomon's Mines

Book 1 in the series:Allan Quatermain

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H. Rider Haggard's 'King Solomon's Mines' is a classic adventure novel set in uncharted Africa, following the English adventurer Allan Quatermain on a quest to find a lost friend and a legendary treasure. The story is filled with imaginative perils, exciting discoveries, and a sense of mystery that keeps the reader engaged. The writing style is described as addictive, entertaining, and easy to read, transporting readers to a different time and place with its vivid descriptions and captivating storyline.

Characters:

Characters display a mix of adventurous and complex traits, particularly Quatermain, who is noted for his nuanced portrayal.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characteristic of the Victorian era, combining immersive descriptions with a straightforward narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The story revolves around a quest for a mythical treasure, focusing on themes of adventure and bravery in uncharted territories.

Setting:

The setting immerses readers in 19th-century southern Africa, reflecting the era's colonial perspectives.

Pacing:

The pacing balances action with exploration, maintaining reader engagement effectively throughout the narrative.
IT Is A CURIOUS thing that at my age—fifty-five last birthday—I should find myself taking up a pen to try and write a history. I wonder what sort of a history it will be when I have done it, if I ever...

Notes:

King Solomon's Mines was written in 1885 by H. Rider Haggard.
The main character is Allan Quatermain, a trader and adventurer.
The story takes place in uncharted Africa, where Quatermain searches for a lost man and a mythical treasure.
The book is considered one of the first adventure novels and has influenced modern adventure fiction like Indiana Jones.
Haggard's work tackles themes like war and bravery, but is also criticized for its racism and outdated depictions.
Despite its issues, the novel is praised for its imaginative and exciting plot.
Allan Quatermain was a popular figure in his time, especially among young male readers.
The book portrays African tribal warfare and politics, drawing from Haggard's personal experiences in Africa.
King Solomon's Mines inspired numerous adaptations, including films and comics.
The language and racial elements in the book are reflective of Victorian attitudes, which can be uncomfortable for modern readers.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains outdated depictions and language regarding race, as well as themes that may be considered condescending or simplistic.

From The Publisher:

Allan Quatermain is a hunter. Lions, elephants, antelope. Fearless, he is the best big-game hunter in South Africa. And he is about to embark on the most dangerous hunt of his career.

His new employers, Sir Henry Curtis and Captain John Good, have a map-drawn by a dying Portuguese prospector. It reveals a route across the great desert, past a fearsome range of mountain, to the greatest treasure in all Africa-the lost diamond mines of King Solomon himself!

Inspired by true adventures, King Solomon's Mines is the unsurpassed classic of a journey into the unknown heart of the Dark Continent.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Ratings (8)

Loved It (5)
Liked It (2)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (27):

Read It (9)
Want To Read (12)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (5)

2 comment(s)

Did Not Like
1 week

Well at least I can say I read it. But sadly did not enjoy it. Very much a product of its time and there where a lot I didn't like to read about. But also I found it rather dull and boring. I think I borrowed another book by this author, so I should probebly read that as well but I don't really feel excited.

 
Liked It
1 month

This is a hard one to rate. It was written in 1885 by a white Englishman who had worked in the colonizing force in southern Africa, and it is just as racist, sexist, imperialist, and colonialist as that would lead you to expect. He just has no respect for people of African descent or the cultures of Africa, and when one of them does get a compliment it is extremely back-handed. But it's a compelling adventure tale, and the writing is much more straightforward than I expected -- I had braced myself for Dickensian levels of sentence complexity, and it's a lot more modern-feeling than that.

 

About the Author:

H. Rider Haggard is the author of KING SOLOMON'S MINES.

 
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