A review by sams84
King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard

4.0

Despite this book having some seriously old fashioned stereotypes, particularly about the native South African tribes and women in general (none of whome were particularly flattering I must be honest) I actually really enjoyed this book. It is a good old fashioned adventure tale that finds our heroes heading into the unexplored heart of the South African desert in search of treasure (and Sir Henry's lost brother) and in the process Quartermain and his friends get embroilled in a tribal war and find themselves at odds with a powerful (yet withered hag of a) witch. Ultimately this is a story of discovery and friendship and finding what is truely valuable to a man (and woman). The writing is superb and wonderfully detailed, bringing the story to life in all its dusty glory, you can even feel the parched sensation of thirst as they trail through the baking desert heat. The ending is slightly anti-climatic but fits with the style of the book with Quatermain writing to his son in his own modest way. Overall a darn good read!