I'm reading Rider Haggard's 1887 novel Allan Quatermain and greatly enjoying it! Quatermain is said to have been the basis for Indiana Jones, and here our hero and his companions are searching for a lost East African kingdom and facing all sorts of perils along the way. But there is plenty of stiff upper lip in evidence as they keep intact the English gentleman's fine reputation of honour and fearlessness. I've reached the point where the company must rescue a very plucky damsel in distress so I must go and read on!
Have you read any ripping yarns lately?
Does that come before or after King Solomon's Mines?
Posted by: Ros | 31 October 2009 at 02:11 PM
I think it's the sequel, Ros (more information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Rider_Haggard )
Posted by: Cornflower | 31 October 2009 at 04:25 PM
Not read any but bought Prester John the other day to add to my growing John Buchan collection.
Posted by: Mary McCartney | 31 October 2009 at 06:30 PM
King Solomon's Mines was one of the first 'grown-up' books I read when I was about 10 or 11, and I remember it fondly. I am looking forward to getting my hands on the sequel (forty years later).
Posted by: Mr Cornflower | 31 October 2009 at 08:36 PM
I think it vastly inferior to both King Solomon's mines and She. If you think it is very good and Mr C is also looking forward to it then I'm sure my views are most sensibly to be ignored by other readers.
Ripping yarns are no longer my thing (perhaps they never were) but having said that KSM is still a very entertaining book and should be read by all who love adventure.
May I point you towards The Man-eaters of Kumaon by "Gentleman" Jim Corbett? Not fictional but certianly ripping. Also Corbett changed from tiger (and other endangered mammals) hunter into one of the first to argue for their conservation and that earns him a star in my book.
Posted by: Dark Puss | 31 October 2009 at 09:31 PM
Yes! I am currently making my way through "Rupert of Hentzau", having finished rereading "The Prisoner of Zenda". So romantic. Sigh. My copy is from 1898 and has the original plates by Charles Dana Gibson, which I think adds tremendously to the ambience.
My husband is reading all the Quatermain novels on his iTouch, which he downloaded from Project Gutenberg. He was most anxious to relate the plot of "She" at breakfast this morning. I read it so long ago I've forgotten it all, so a treat awaits.
Posted by: Wendy Winkler | 01 November 2009 at 04:42 PM
Prester John - John Buchan - is in the same tradition, though without, as I recall, any damsels in distress. But some engaging Scottish scenes as well as South African ones!
Posted by: Lindsay | 01 November 2009 at 08:01 PM
Dear Cornflowers
Well what did you think of this book? Was grumpy DP correct (not likely) or is he once again vanquished by the forces of good taste and excellent literary judgement?
Posted by: Dark Puss | 17 December 2009 at 09:25 AM