King Solomon's Mines (Tor Classics)

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, with a surprising (to us) 19th C philosophy
Review: "...What is a gentleman? I don't quite know, and yet... I've known natives who are... and I have known mean whites... who are not." -- Allan Quartermain, "King Solomon's Mines"

As the most popular best-seller of the Victorian age, this story, which presents us with an African who is superior to Europeans, is a bit of a surprise! But this isn't just a ripping yarn, it's also a poignant consideration of cultures in conflict in late 19th century Africa.

Allan Quartermain is the author's alter-ego, a somewhat self-deprecating man from a British upper-class background who has made his life in Africa. He is skeptical about European pretensions to superiority and the novel mocks the "Lord Jim" conception of the European worshipped by natives as a god. It is interesting that Robert Louis Stevenson shared this idea, since this novel was written as a direct challenge to Stevenson!

Quartermain and his companions are seeking the lost brother of Sir Henry Custis, who disappeared seeking the mythic diamond mines of King Solomon. They soon encounter Sir Henry's spiritual brother; Umbopa, "a tall, handsome-looking man." It is the second time Quartermain has encountered Umbopa, whom he met during the Zulu War; Umbopa's intelligence then was greater than that of the British officers, as Quartermain recalls uncomfortably! Umbopa has a secret that leads directly to the novel's surprising climax, and to the decision that the surviving companions make at the novel's end.

Haggard sets out to explode racial stereotypes and does, and while there is a good deal of violence in the book, it is never glorified. Although it inspired such fantasy writers as Edgar Rice Burroughs and Abraham Merritt, this adventure is rooted in a real understanding of, and respect for, other cultures. Even today it is a worthwhile read that is far more than just an adventure story.

Rating:
Summary: The Dark Continient
Review: "King Solomon's Mines" is an excellent adventure, a classic ranking with Edgar Rice Burroughs "Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle". Allen Quartermain is hired by Mr. Curtis and Cpt. Good to find Curtis's long lost brother who disapeared in an uncharted part of Africa, looking for the mythic Solomon's dimond mines. Along the way they become involved in some lost tribes' civil war, and then become victoms of their own greed. This novel is a likley sourse of the Indiana Jones adventures of today. Although the characters are a bit older than we imagine heros to be (they are all in they 50s and 60s), they are much more able bodied than you would think. This is just a great classic pulp adventure that (as stated above) inspired Indiana Jones, Conan the Cimmerian, and Tarzan. Enjoy. It is, however, not like the movie that Richard Chamberlin stared in the 80s, so be warned.

Rating:
Summary: If you are thinking Debra Kerr you will be shocked.
Review: I grew up on the movie so it was quit a shocker to read the book. As stated in the beginning there are no petticoated women in this book. It is a men's adventure written by a man for men. You can not miss the hand of H. Rider Haggard as he has a unique sense of humor that pops up at the strangest times. He may be a little verbose but every word has a use. And as with written stories this one is much more intricate than the movie adaptations. You will find many assumptions of the time such as any complex construction must have been built by white people and natives on their own may turn savage.

The story is told first person by Allan Quartermain. Nevil is off to make his fortune by finding King Solomon's lost diamond mines. Allan sends him a map to help. This is the last anyone heard from Nevil. Turns out that Nevil is really the estranged brother of Henry Curtis. Sir Henry Curtis now wants to make amends and he with his friend Captain John Good, bribe Allan Quartermain to take them across an endless desert and trough impassible mountains to an adventure that will hold you to the very end. Along with them is their self imposed helper Umbopa who carries a secret of his own.

If you get a chance to also hear the recording, an added plus is narration by John Richmond; He brings the characters to life and adds to the mystique that this story has been passed down.

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.