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thaurisil's review against another edition
4.0
My mother gave this to me for my ninth birthday, but I never finished it. I tried to, but I guess then, as now, I was not an adventure novel type of person. I found this again recently while spring cleaning and I was determined to finish it, and I am glad I did as I actually like the book.
The plot goes that Allan Quatermain (“Macumazahn” to the natives), an elephant hunter, accompanies Sir Henry Curtis (“Incubu”) and Captain John Good (“Bougwan”) on a trip to King Solomon’s mines in search of Sir Henry’s lost brother, George alias Neville. After an argument with his brother, George travelled to find diamonds in the mines, and the three Englishmen go in search of both George and the diamonds. They pick up three African servants, including Umbopa, a tall well-built native that Quatermain finds mysterious on account of his dignity and refusal to treat the white men with reverence. Following a map by an ancient Portuguese, they cross a sweltering desert and an icy mountain, barely surviving dehydration and cold respectively. Two of their servants die on the way. They reach Kukuanaland, where they narrowly escape murder by the natives by pretending to be “white men from the stars”, aided by Good’s movable false teeth, eye-glass and “beautiful white legs”, as well as their guns. With the help of Infadoos, the king Twala’s half-brother, they discover that Umbopa is really Ignosi, the rightful king of Kukuanaland. Ignosi’s father was originally king but was killed by Twala, his brother, and Ignosi and his mother entered exile. After witnessing a witch-hunt led by Gagool, an extremely old woman and the king’s aide, where men that the king dislikes are killed, Ignosi gains the following of half the army, helped by the Englishmen who pretend to put out the moon (actually a lunar eclipse). Thus follows a war. Ignosi’s followers are outnumbered but win the war on account of their having the Greys, the best regiment, and Sir Henry, who turns out to be the mightiest warrior. Twala’s troops flee and Sir Henry kills Twala in a one-on-one battle. Ignosi is king and orders Gagool to bring the white men to the mines, where they discover the place of Death, where all previous kings are preserved as stalactites, and find the diamonds. They are then trapped with the diamonds as Gagool lowers the huge rock that acts as a gate, but not before Foulata, a native girl whom the men saved from death and consequently started a romantic relationship with Good, is killed by Gagool and Gagool is killed by the rock. The men eventually find an escape route and leave Kukuanaland. They are led on a shortcut to an oasis, where they find George, who is now lame and has been unable to leave the oasis for two years. All four eventually return to England.
Contrary to other reviewers, I was actually quite impressed with the final message of racial tolerance. It is true that the author illustrates the racism that was prevalent in the minds of white men in Africa at that time. Quatermain treats the natives as slaves and expects them to behave as slaves. Foulata’s dying speech is that she is “glad to die because [she] know[s] that [Good] cannot cumber his life with such as [she is], for the sun may not mate with the darkness”. The white men save the Africans from an oppressive ruler. But for a writer of that era, the author shows impressive sensitivity to the strengths of the natives, such as bravery and dignity, and Ignosi’s farewell message is a total rejection of colonialism. Though Africans are still slaves in Quatermain’s mind, as they were to most white men at that time, there are signs that Quatermain partially respects them, and this perhaps reflects the author’s own experience in Africa.
The author’s experiences were further reflected in his use of many native terms, which was refreshing. It was pretty realistic in that the author did not pretend to know the true cultural state of Africa, but instead made it clear that what was portrayed was the perspective of a white man living in Africa.
What I felt was lacking, which is perhaps the reason why I dislike plot-based adventure stories, was characterization. The characters were largely two-dimensional: Sir Henry is brave, Captain Good is neat and Quatermain is timid. Yet I really liked the book. Perhaps it was the straightforward retelling of events, which nevertheless suited Quatermain’s character, or perhaps it was that the plot was simply exciting.
The plot goes that Allan Quatermain (“Macumazahn” to the natives), an elephant hunter, accompanies Sir Henry Curtis (“Incubu”) and Captain John Good (“Bougwan”) on a trip to King Solomon’s mines in search of Sir Henry’s lost brother, George alias Neville. After an argument with his brother, George travelled to find diamonds in the mines, and the three Englishmen go in search of both George and the diamonds. They pick up three African servants, including Umbopa, a tall well-built native that Quatermain finds mysterious on account of his dignity and refusal to treat the white men with reverence. Following a map by an ancient Portuguese, they cross a sweltering desert and an icy mountain, barely surviving dehydration and cold respectively. Two of their servants die on the way. They reach Kukuanaland, where they narrowly escape murder by the natives by pretending to be “white men from the stars”, aided by Good’s movable false teeth, eye-glass and “beautiful white legs”, as well as their guns. With the help of Infadoos, the king Twala’s half-brother, they discover that Umbopa is really Ignosi, the rightful king of Kukuanaland. Ignosi’s father was originally king but was killed by Twala, his brother, and Ignosi and his mother entered exile. After witnessing a witch-hunt led by Gagool, an extremely old woman and the king’s aide, where men that the king dislikes are killed, Ignosi gains the following of half the army, helped by the Englishmen who pretend to put out the moon (actually a lunar eclipse). Thus follows a war. Ignosi’s followers are outnumbered but win the war on account of their having the Greys, the best regiment, and Sir Henry, who turns out to be the mightiest warrior. Twala’s troops flee and Sir Henry kills Twala in a one-on-one battle. Ignosi is king and orders Gagool to bring the white men to the mines, where they discover the place of Death, where all previous kings are preserved as stalactites, and find the diamonds. They are then trapped with the diamonds as Gagool lowers the huge rock that acts as a gate, but not before Foulata, a native girl whom the men saved from death and consequently started a romantic relationship with Good, is killed by Gagool and Gagool is killed by the rock. The men eventually find an escape route and leave Kukuanaland. They are led on a shortcut to an oasis, where they find George, who is now lame and has been unable to leave the oasis for two years. All four eventually return to England.
Contrary to other reviewers, I was actually quite impressed with the final message of racial tolerance. It is true that the author illustrates the racism that was prevalent in the minds of white men in Africa at that time. Quatermain treats the natives as slaves and expects them to behave as slaves. Foulata’s dying speech is that she is “glad to die because [she] know[s] that [Good] cannot cumber his life with such as [she is], for the sun may not mate with the darkness”. The white men save the Africans from an oppressive ruler. But for a writer of that era, the author shows impressive sensitivity to the strengths of the natives, such as bravery and dignity, and Ignosi’s farewell message is a total rejection of colonialism. Though Africans are still slaves in Quatermain’s mind, as they were to most white men at that time, there are signs that Quatermain partially respects them, and this perhaps reflects the author’s own experience in Africa.
The author’s experiences were further reflected in his use of many native terms, which was refreshing. It was pretty realistic in that the author did not pretend to know the true cultural state of Africa, but instead made it clear that what was portrayed was the perspective of a white man living in Africa.
What I felt was lacking, which is perhaps the reason why I dislike plot-based adventure stories, was characterization. The characters were largely two-dimensional: Sir Henry is brave, Captain Good is neat and Quatermain is timid. Yet I really liked the book. Perhaps it was the straightforward retelling of events, which nevertheless suited Quatermain’s character, or perhaps it was that the plot was simply exciting.
old_odd_biscuit's review against another edition
2.0
If you can stomach the 19th century colonial perspective, there is some good storytelling ability on display here.
As an adventure story, this is hugely influential and gives us many elements of the now familiar 'ancient lost treasure' narrative. A rugged, experienced hero is recruited to go on a quest for a fabled historical treasure. There is an old map and we must follow the footsteps of a previous seeker who is now missing, and whose fate we will discover. There is an elaborate way to open a hidden door to the treasure's resting place, and villains you must have at your side with always the danger that they will take the upper hand. I won't detail the last act but you will recognise many more elements of what happens in it from a number of modern works.
It was written in 1885 but, the style of writing is surprisingly modern. There is nothing of Conan Doyle's ornate language here. Except, obviously, the characters talk like you would expect 19th century colonial types to ("By Jove!" "Great Heavens!" and all that.) Standing out to me is the way in which Haggard uses call backs to a gag about Captain Good's "beautiful white legs", which seems strangely familiar in light of today's scriptwriting.
The period racism is horrendous but reportedly less so than other works even written later than this. It is so bad that in an early scene in which the party finds desperately needed water, I was truly surprised that the white men do not insist on drinking first and making their black companions wait until after. What, I suppose, do we expect from a book written in the 1880's that is specifically about rich white men in Africa? We should remember that even the still beloved Sherlock Holmes shows up poorly in the one story of his in which he has significant interaction with a black man.
As an adventure story, this is hugely influential and gives us many elements of the now familiar 'ancient lost treasure' narrative. A rugged, experienced hero is recruited to go on a quest for a fabled historical treasure. There is an old map and we must follow the footsteps of a previous seeker who is now missing, and whose fate we will discover. There is an elaborate way to open a hidden door to the treasure's resting place, and villains you must have at your side with always the danger that they will take the upper hand. I won't detail the last act but you will recognise many more elements of what happens in it from a number of modern works.
It was written in 1885 but, the style of writing is surprisingly modern. There is nothing of Conan Doyle's ornate language here. Except, obviously, the characters talk like you would expect 19th century colonial types to ("By Jove!" "Great Heavens!" and all that.) Standing out to me is the way in which Haggard uses call backs to a gag about Captain Good's "beautiful white legs", which seems strangely familiar in light of today's scriptwriting.
The period racism is horrendous but reportedly less so than other works even written later than this. It is so bad that in an early scene in which the party finds desperately needed water, I was truly surprised that the white men do not insist on drinking first and making their black companions wait until after. What, I suppose, do we expect from a book written in the 1880's that is specifically about rich white men in Africa? We should remember that even the still beloved Sherlock Holmes shows up poorly in the one story of his in which he has significant interaction with a black man.
pabbo's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
a12345m's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
wast's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting story from the 2nd half of the book.
It is interesting to see how the savages express themselves in Old English.
It was hard for me to read about killing masses of animals.
It is interesting to see how the savages express themselves in Old English.
It was hard for me to read about killing masses of animals.
siren224's review against another edition
5.0
روايه مغامره من الدرجه الاولي واكثر ما اعجبني فيها انها خلتني اسافر معاها لمدن الاساطير
بصراحه روايه رائعه جداا للهروب من الواقع
بصراحه روايه رائعه جداا للهروب من الواقع
dragonwasrobot's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
prusche's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
lise_haag's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
kba76's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Vague recollections of having read this - and other such stories - as a child, but reading it again as an adult was quite a different experience. Not a good one I have to say.
From the time we meet Quatermain he’s presented as an honourable gentleman, someone to trust. But when he is enlisted to help find the missing brother who went in search of Solomon’s treasures, his priority is to secure the fortune of his son. He offers snippets of information, but clearly holds back until in a position to benefit from what he knows. His obsession with the superiority of the white man and the naïveté of those he encounters is something that is hard to overlook.
The beginning of the journey focuses on the hunting experiences where little respect is shown to the environment they are in. When crossing the desert and saved by the knowledge of the native inhabitants, our characters exploit what they see as weaknesses to show their perceived superiority. The descriptions of anyone not a British gentleman are reductive and, quite frankly, offensive.
When they get to the fabled King Solomon’s Mines I’d never been so hopeful that they would befall a grisly death! Unfortunately, that was not the case and the smugness shown upon their safe return - having just happened to stumble across the missing man they had been searching for - just made me resent these characters even more.
From the time we meet Quatermain he’s presented as an honourable gentleman, someone to trust. But when he is enlisted to help find the missing brother who went in search of Solomon’s treasures, his priority is to secure the fortune of his son. He offers snippets of information, but clearly holds back until in a position to benefit from what he knows. His obsession with the superiority of the white man and the naïveté of those he encounters is something that is hard to overlook.
The beginning of the journey focuses on the hunting experiences where little respect is shown to the environment they are in. When crossing the desert and saved by the knowledge of the native inhabitants, our characters exploit what they see as weaknesses to show their perceived superiority. The descriptions of anyone not a British gentleman are reductive and, quite frankly, offensive.
When they get to the fabled King Solomon’s Mines I’d never been so hopeful that they would befall a grisly death! Unfortunately, that was not the case and the smugness shown upon their safe return - having just happened to stumble across the missing man they had been searching for - just made me resent these characters even more.