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SHE : A History of Adventure - Literature Classics

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H. Rider Haggard

SHE : A History of Adventure - Literature Classics

language (Goldfish Classics Publishing Jan. 23, 2012)
SHE : A History of Adventure - Literature Classics, Complete Edition

ADDITIONAL CONTENT :
+ Active Table of Contents
+ The Author Biography
+ Annotations
- Plot Summary
- Characters Lists
- Legacy
- Adaptations

OVERVIEW:
She, subtitled A History of Adventure, is a novel by Henry Rider Haggard, first serialized in The Graphic magazine from October 1886 to January 1887. She is one of the classics of imaginative literature, and with over 83 million copies sold in 44 different languages, one of the best-selling books of all time. Extraordinarily popular upon its release, She has never been out of print. According to the literary historian Andrew M. Stauffer, "She has always been Rider Haggard's most popular and influential novel, challenged only by King Solomon's Mines in this regard".

SUMMARY:
A Cambridge University professor, Horace Holly, and his ward, Leo Vincey, together with their servant, Job, travel to Africa. They follow instructions on the "Sherd of Amenartas" left to Leo by his father. They travel to Africa and suffer shipwreck on the eastern shore of Central Africa. They survive together with an Arab, Mahomed, and journey into an unexplored part of the African interior, where they discover the lost kingdom of Kôr, inhabited by the primitive Amahagger people. The adventurers learn that the natives are ruled by a fearsome white queen, who is worshiped as Hiya or "She-who-must-be-obeyed". The Amahagger are curious about the white-skinned interlopers; She had warned them of their coming.

REVIEWS:

5 Stars Review :
Zobaer - Goodreads
This book was well written and the adventure well thought out. The level of detail that Haggard uses to describe the Amahagger's (the tribe Leo and Holly discover) were extraordinary. She is easily understood to be a sophisticated woman who has strong powers of life and death over her subjects. However, I found the book a little hard to read. The lengthy paragraphs that detailed the Amahagger society were not needed and slowed the pace of the book.
The best book i've ever read.
This book is very good if you like to read. The first few chapters can drag on and most would lose interest, however, once Holly, Leo, and Job embark on their adventure, the story is captivating.

Ting - Goodreads
A really good adventure tale in the best 19th century English tradition. The men are brave, strong, and forthright, the women are nubile and beautiful albeit subservient (apart from She), and the non-whites are barbaric and motivated by very uncivilized (i.e non-English) motives or demonstrate a lack of back-bone. It is a product of its time so if one is politically correct there are parts that will make you cringe and if you are a feminist, well suffice it to say, don't bother. A good read and very enjoyable. I couldn't put it down once I started it and highly recommend it to those who can suspend their delicate 21st century sensibilities.

Shahlal Ahmed - Goodreads
I think this is an excellent novel if one reads it for a certain purpose. For pure entertainment, I like it but would not highly suggest it for some. I actually wrote my college thesis on this book from the viewpoint of Haggard hating progressive women and instead beliving all women should be the "angel in the household." While She has power, she will always be under the thumb of the lover she lost. Likewise, Haggard always thought women should be under the thumb of their men. So, is it quite a sexist bit of work? Yup. Yet, it was still highly entertaining for me. This is a really fun adventure novel from the Victorian era...

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