Ayesha : The Return of "She"

Rating:
Summary: Certainly lesser than "She," but still a mighty fun read!
Review: "The Return of She," although not as exciting or groundbreaking as the classic "She," is nevertheless a worthy sequel, and one that all admirers of Haggard's original story should enjoy reading. It is a direct continuation of the earlier book, and as such may be called required reading for all fans of Ayesha, Leo Vincey and Ludwig Holly. The novel contains many exciting scenes, including a great avalanche, the pursuit of the death hounds, Ayesha's reincarnation, and the climactic battle with Kalloon. The Dover edition comes with beautiful illustrations from the original 1905 edition that greatly enhance the text. In light of the fact that the overwhelming preponderance of Haggard's books are sadly out of print, this book becomes even more worthy an addition to any fan's library. Now when is somebody going to release "She and Allen" again???

Rating:
Summary: Haggard: a real avant-garde story teller
Review: Ayesha is a beautiful and imaginative masterpiece. The radical beauty of this book is not merely that it is a "good" or "bad" sequel of She, but that it is the work of an open-minded writer. The plot is full of super natural and pre "new age" exoticism as well that 19th century romanticism adventures. Its naiveté and simplicity make this book a very enjoyable one. The best moment of the book is a incredible obscure scene in which Ayesha has a meeting with her "servants", shadows and ghosts from beyond and the past. I recommend this book only to real admirers of this kind of pulp-literature and to eclictic readers.

Rating:
Summary: For those who loved "She" -- a disappointment.
Review: If you expect the same wonderful experience you received from reading "She", you will be disappointed by this book. Leo and party travel to Asia to search for Ayesha and experience similar, but somehow tiresome, adventures. Reread "She" instead.

Rating:
Summary: A failed sequel.
Review: One would suppose that Haggard felt confident with writing sequels considering the success he had with KING SOLOMON'S MINES and ALLAN QUATERMAIN. Unfortunately, the sequel to SHE is sub-par. Having read only 4 books by Haggard, I could hardly consider myself an expert on his writing, but the one aspect of his writing which I found so intriguing and entertaining was his descriptions of Africa and of the racist imperialist views of the Europeans in Africa. However, in AYESHA, the story takes place somewhere near China or Thibet or Russia (the exact location is never given, but only alluded to). Haggard has stepped out of an area in which he was comfortable, knowledgable, and successful. Unfortunately, by stepping out of the area in which he found the most success, he has fallen down and offered up only a meager tale which has to fight to hold the reader's interest.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific!
Review: Second in the trilogy of "She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed". Still terrific, still imaginative and thrilling. How does Haggard do it? The scenes and images he conjures up. The cliff-hanging(literally), Perils of Pauline adventures just fascinate. And yet again, the battle between the spirit and flesh, the mortality and divinity, of man. In this one, however, it began to slow about two-thirds of the way thru, as if Haggard were stretching at times. But then he roused himself magnificently to a thrilling finish! The scene of Ayesha and her army riding across the plain to save Leo is the stuff of movies. It is no less a book than the first, which is unusual for sequels. This one takes place in Tibet, rather than Libya, and Haggard foresees the importance of radium.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific!
Review: Second in the trilogy of "She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed". Still terrific, still imaginative and thrilling. How does Haggard do it? The scenes and images he conjures up. The cliff-hanging(literally), Perils of Pauline adventures just fascinate. And yet again, the battle between the spirit and flesh, the mortality and divinity, of man. In this one, however, it began to slow about two-thirds of the way thru, as if Haggard were stretching at times. But then he roused himself magnificently to a thrilling finish! The scene of Ayesha and her army riding across the plain to save Leo is the stuff of movies. It is no less a book than the first, which is unusual for sequels. This one takes place in Tibet, rather than Libya, and Haggard foresees the importance of radium.