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One of the best-selling novels of the nineteenth century, King Solomon’s Mines has inspired dozens of adventure stories, including Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Tarzan books and the Indiana Jones movies. Vivid and enormously action-packed, H. Rider Haggard’s tale of danger and discovery continues to shock and thrill, as it has since it was first presented to the public and heralded as "the most amazing book ever written.”
The story begins when renowned safari hunter Allan Quartermain agrees to help Sir Henry Curtis and Captain John Good search for King Solomon’s legendary cache of diamonds. Eager to find out what is true, what is myth, and what is really buried in the darkness of the mines, the tireless adventurers delve into the Sahara’s treacherous Veil of Sand, where they stumble upon a mysterious lost tribe of African warriors. Finding themselves in deadly peril from that country’s cruel king and the evil sorceress who conspires behind his throne, the explorers escape, but what they seek could be the most savage trap of all—the forbidden, impenetrable, and spectacular King Solomon’s Mines.
Benjamin Ivry is the author of biographies of Arthur Rimbaud, Francis Poulenc, and Maurice Ravel. His poetry collection Paradise for the Portuguese Queen appeared in 1998.
Haggard admitted he wrote King Solomon’s Mines in six weeks, a quickness that surprised his writer friends like Andrew Lang and Robert Louis Stevenson. The latter sent Haggard a letter cautioning him about excessive haste. Yet the famed Belgian-born detective storywriter Georges Simenon (19031989) often wrote entire books even faster. The French novelist Stendhal (Marie Henri Beyle, 17831842) typically completed novels in a matter of weeks. Speed in writing per se is not necessarily a threat to quality; adventure writers in particular can be like the journalists of whom the noted critic Karl Kraus (18741936) wrote, "They write worse when they have time.” Pacing was essential for Haggard, who claimed that writing a text fast helped to energize it, making it irresistibly readable. He described his approach with typical dash in his autobiography, The Days of My Life (1926; see "For Further Reading”): "Such work should be written rapidly and, if possible, not rewritten, since wine of this character loses its bouquet when it is poured from glass to glass.”
The speed of writing translates to speed of reading, with as few impediments as possible to the reader’s momentum. Although there are a number of exotic words in King Solomon’s Mines that require annotation, their frequency decreases as the book advances, and Haggard often provides his own, perfectly serviceable translation of local terms. As a result, the reader does not need to pause to understand the reference, but can plunge ahead to find out what happens next, which is essential for the enjoyment of a real page-turner like King Solomon’s Mines.
Despite Haggard’s speed and occasional carelessness about details, King Solomon’s Mines shows some real control of structural and stylistic elements, which is part of its lasting power. To cite one stylistic aspect used coherently throughout the book, Haggard used italics almost always to convey the horror of death, such as when an elephant picked up a servant "and tore him in two” (p. 62). In a cave discovered along his trip, Quatermain finds that a servant who was alive the night before is now "stone dead” (p. 96). These italics denoting urgent shock in relation to death recur throughout the story, like underlining in a letter excitedly dashed off to a friend.
One of Haggard’s goals, as expressed in "About Fiction” (Contemporary Review, February 1887), was to create an interesting book, as he felt the Anglo-American novel had declined into a series of dull domestic dramas. Haggard alluded to William Dean Howells (18371920), who wrote novels like A Woman’s Reason (1883), A Modern Instance (1882), and The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885), as an example. By focusing on the imaginative and fantastic domains, Haggard aimed at exciting the reader in the way that he felt naturalistic nineteenth-century fiction had ceased to do. In this goal he succeeded brilliantly, as generations of readers have conceded.
In King Solomon’s Mines, with a dour feeling of fatalism, the elephant hunter Allan Quatermain agrees to join a dangerous treasure hunt. Quatermain is presented as an amateur author, whose first statement at the beginning of the book is one of modesty, of being aware of his book’s "shortcomings.” As narrator, Quatermain dithers over lore and legends that he might have included in King Solomon’s Mines had he "given way to [his] own impulses” (p. 5). Authorship as a form of discipline and control is also expressed at the end of the story, when Quatermain announces, "And here, at this point, I think that I shall end this history” (p. 317). The reader is reminded that the story does not end by itself; the writer ends it. Control and consciousness were keywords for Quatermain as an author—and quite possibly for Haggard as well.
Haggard’s protagonist Quatermain describes himself as a 55-year-old man who has survived the job of elephant hunter much longer than most of his colleagues. Quatermain explains at the start of his tale, "I am a timid man, and don’t like violence,” (p. 7) and near the end, after many heroics, he reiterates, "I never had any great pretensions to be brave” (p. 286). Such self-definitions are repeated throughout the book until the narrative itself begins to seem like a means of self-definition. The effort to write, as well as the events narrated, define the narrator.
There may not be much progression of character in King Solomon’s Mines, but Quatermain rings true precisely because of his lack of grandiose pretensions. Quatermain’s self-deflating tone may include something of Haggard’s own ironic self-regard. When Haggard traveled to Africa in 1914 and his photo was plastered on the local newspaper Natal Witness, Haggard noted in his diary that his image looked "exactly like that of the mummy of Rameses the Second,” a recently disinterred Pharaoh. This lack of vanity or vaingloriousness is unusual in a generation of writers on Africa that included such egomaniacs as Sir Richard Burton, translator of The Arabian Nights.
Anonymous
Posted July 8, 2007
My only regret is that I waited thirty-seven years to read this amazing adventure. Unlike most contemporary fiction, the author made me feel as though I were experiencing the story instead of just reading it. Treat yourself to some true story telling.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The main character Allan Quatermain unexpectedly falls into the exploration of a unknown civilization in Africa on a quest to find a missing adventurer and possibly King Soloman's treasure.
The explorers soon find themselves amidst African kings, tribal warriors, and an elderly sinister seer. The book is filled with adventure and is regarded as one of the best books ever written.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 6, 2007
Sometimes a classic is a classic just because it provides so much entertainment to readers over the years. This is just a good fun read. Don't look for any deep social comment, Just take it as a fun entertaining story in which every guy can think 'I am Allan Quartermain.' This has obviously been the inspiration for so many of the adventure stories that have been written since KIng Solomons Mines publication in the the late 19th century. Just read it, and have fun.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 13, 2005
King Solomon's Mines is a very thrilling book, and contains a number of scenes and ideas that have clearly inspired many other authors and creators. Indeed, the archetype of the cynical, hard-bitten adventurer was created by Haggard, and even modern day heroes such as Indiana Jones owe a great deal of inspiration to Haggard's Alan Quartermain. Unfortunately, like most books from the era that deal with Africa, there is a fair amount of racist/imperialist stereotypes and ideas. However, readers who can overlook these regrettable concepts will find an exciting, rousing and inventive read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The start of the Lost World style of fiction, a precursor to the pulp novels to come later - it's a good adventure. A significant portion is taken up with a rather detailed account of military maneuvers in a civil war the heroes find themselves in the middle of, not quite the two-fisted daring that Allan Quartermain holds in the public mind's eye.
Historically, from a literary point of view, it's very interesting to see the early elements of adventure pulp novels planting their seeds. From a strict story point of view, the narrative occasionally bogs itself down recounting bland details, but still the adventure keeps itself apace and concludes grandly.
King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard is a novel first published 1885. This novel is the first to feature adventurer Alan Quatermain.
The adventurer and white Hunter Alan Quatermain is approached by Sir Henry Curtis and his friend Captain Good to lead an expedition into the heart of Africa to find Curtis' brother. The brother was in search of the fabled King Solomon's Mines.
Quatermain, who is in a possession of a map to the mines which he never taken seriously, agrees to go but don't think they'll return alive. The adventurers brave heat, cold, dessert and jungle on their arduous journey.
King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard is an easy to read, fast paced and light read. The important thing to remember when reading books such as this is not to take them too seriously.
This is a simple tale, filled with swashbuckling adventures and explorations galore. Some of the book simply drags, other parts are offensive in today’s terms (which I don’t hold it against the book) and some parts are simply funny. I especially found the pompous attitude of some of the characters (mostly Quatermain) hilarious.
""How is it, O strangers," asked the old man solemnly, "that this fat man (pointing to Good, who was clad in nothing but boots and a flannel shirt, and has only half finished his shaving), whose body is clothed, and whose legs are bare, who grows hair on one side of his sickly face and not on the other, and who wears one shining and transparent eye– how is it, I ask, that he has teeth which move of themselves, coming away from the jaws and returning of their own will?"
Haggard’s tale is certainly written to target the Britain of the times, colonial is big, Africans are belittled and the white hunter is all but god among men. Many other adventure stories, sans the racism, have used this formula where the hero can overcome any odds and still keep a good attitude and calm disposition.
Haggard goes into great details about which supplies Quatermain and his crew took on their adventures, including the type of wagons and even immunizing cattle. I couldn’t decided if these were simply tedious details to ensure some semblance of authentic or just sheer bragging of the author.
This is not a book for politically correct minded people, the protagonist’s description of Africans and animals usually has a negative connotation to them. Quatermain continually dismisses the native population as beneath him and/or other Europeans. As this is not unexpected, it is still somewhat amusing to read how people thought a few decades ago.
The book’s premise is that Quatermain is telling this story to his son – some sort of a fireside story. While it’s a nice introduction, it does of course ruins the mystery of whether or not he will survive.
The characterization in the novel is not much t
Anonymous
Posted March 12, 2012
One of my favs
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Posted February 6, 2012
I Also Recommend:
This book is incredible. You feel that you are actulally in the story. Its full of adventure and it keeps you hooked. H. Rider Haggard is an amazing writer and you really should check out his other books, or you could just buy mobilerefernce complete collection.
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Posted January 16, 2012
Wish i could give it one million stars
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Posted October 10, 2011
No one can beat the old books written so long ago. A great adventure and a great book.
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Posted October 7, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It's a classic adventure story that a lot of more modern books/movies are based on. If you like adventure stories, you won't be disappointed.
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Posted June 7, 2011
Some words mispelled, but hey, it's free. A great story. Very exciting
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Posted June 2, 2011
Bn rip off
0 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 31, 2011
Still a classic, maybe not to everyones taste.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Should you be familiar with the Stewart Granger/Deborah Kerr movie version of this novel. As Al Jolson told my grandmother: "You ain't seen anything yet", or in this case read.
The quest for the legendary diamond mine of King Solomon revolves around finding out what happened to the younger brother of Sir Henry Curtis. H. Rider Haggard's novel takes the reader from a chance meeting on board a ship off the coast of Africa to the far interior of what was once known as the Dark Continent. The reader will find adventure enough as men are torn apart by bull elephants, fight the thirst of the desert sun, climb the twin peaks known as Sheba's Breasts in a quest for diamonds that could destroy the World's economy, if the legend is true. Led by the Elephant Hunter Allan Quartermain. Dr. Good and Sir Henry Curtis are joined by the mysterious Zulu servant who seems to know more about their journey and its destination then they do. Reader enjoy a story written in the 1880's that is as fresh as an Indiana Jones adventure today.
Thrilling, original, tragic and inspirational. It quickly became one of my favorites. This tale of man vs. nature, and man vs. man exemplifies our mortality, as well as our morality. The pages hold a few surprises, and a few adventures to interest any reader: family devotion, grisly war, hidden treasure, fearsome beasts, loyal friendship and much more. If you've only ever heard of Allan Quartermain from the [mediocre] film League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, I recommend giving this book a try.
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Posted January 31, 2011
This story is a classic, still as entertaining today as it was when it was written. The problem lies with the google books copy here. Many of the words and punctuation marks are misinterpreted and in the middle of pages, the headers and footers from the old copy, including the wrong page numbers pop up. I have read several of the free google downloads and found the quality of this one to be worse than others. You can still follow the story along but it would be worth the 99 cents to get a clean copy.
I never understood why google books didn't have some kind of system where readers could flag or report errors. What is the point of digitally preserving scanning errors for future generations?
5668521
Posted January 20, 2011
This was an exciting fast paced adventure that would please anyone who enjoys Indiana Jones or other similar movies.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Seghetto
Posted November 5, 2010
This book is undoubtedly a classic that started the whole Lost World craze. I got kind of bored reading it. The writing was pretty good, and the plot was really entertaining. Some of the travel parts just dragged on.
For much of the book I found myself wondering what was so exciting. There are a few humorous parts, like Good walking around with his pants off and being worshiped as a God.
The end notes helped with the context of the story.
Anonymous
Posted September 19, 2010
This was like being in a Indiana Jones film, only much before his time. The preview to this classic novel was very interesting and informative on H. Rider Harrard's life and career. His characters were charming and brave in this harrowing account of his journey to King Solomone's Mines. I love to read historical fiction but never thought I would find such an exciting story in this classical novel. Appreciated the notes at the end relating the fiction to real life people, places and events.
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Overview
King Solomon's Mines, by H. Rider Haggard, is part of the Barnes & Noble Classics series, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of Barnes & Noble Classics: