Rating: 
Summary: King Solomon's Mines
Review: This vigorous novel was written by an imaginative writer, H. Rider Haggard. He wrote an adventurous novel telling a story of a group of Europeans trying to find the legendary hidden mines of King Solomon. He writes the novel in a narrative way, in which he wrote the book in a journal form, written by the main character, Allan Quatermain. This makes the book more engaging, because the story incorporates the writer's feelings and thoughts as well as tells a very descriptive story of the significant events of their adventure. The author claims that he tells his story in "in a plain, straightforward manner" in the introduction. This book is easily read and enjoyable for people who like adventure stories.
Rating:
Summary: Annotated!
Review: What a revelation this edition of the revered classic is! It joins a weighty shelf of books I return to on a rainy night . I thought Danly's perceptions were RIGHT-ON!
Rating:
Summary: Witty, Fun, a Thoroughly Enjoyable Escapade
Review: While some have dismissed Rider Haggard's books as mere diaphonous or raffish trash, I find them a delightful melange of old-fashioned swashbuckling adventure (which this world could assuredly use more of, and the popularity of which is proven by the likes of 'Indiana Jones' and others) and witty parlance. True, he might not be Shakespeare or Homer, but in his own genre Rider Haggard's raconteur is just as good. Tales like these are hard to come by nowadays. And "King Solomon's Mines" is certainly a more attractive read than the vapid "Brothers Karamazov"!
Rating:
Summary: Adventure at Every Turn
Review: Within the pages of this novel is a tale of legend, treasure, adventure, friendship and warfare. H. Ridder Haggard twines all these components together in an intriguing fashion. Making it so close to reality that it seems likely to have happend long ago. The character, Alan Quatermain retells the journey taken in deep Africa with his comrades, reflecting on the irony of their many precarious situations. What I liked most was his observations of life and the matter-of-fact truth in it. How the characters were drawn to contemplate the value of life and what makes it worth living. Their quest does turn gruesome at points. But the author provides some very clever solutions to their perils, which sometimes are quite humorous.The last five chapters are the highlight of the book. These climaxes are expertly written and will keep you reading till the very end. The first few pages might seem confusing, but it makes perfect sense when reading it thru the second time. King Solomon's Mines is a novel with riveting, good vs. evil character development and it is a worthwhile read. I recommend it to anyone who likes a first-rate adventure. Out of all the different publications to choose from, I say consider a copy from Regnery Publishing, Inc. ... 1999. For it has an easy to read layout and print. It also has numerous typos and makes me wonder if that isn't directly from the 1885 original. Other than that, the book has a nice introduction to the author and his works. Giving some Hollywood film history of King Solomon's Mines along with other interesting notes. This really opens up the story to the reader, and makes it a memorable one.
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