Dawn

Dawn

H. Rider Haggard

Adventure / Historical Fiction / Fantasy

In talking about this novel, Haggard later said he was inspired to write the book while living in Norwood. He and his wife were attending a Church service when they saw sitting near them "a singularly beautiful and pure-faced young lady --- Afterwards we agreed that this semi-divine creature — on whom to the best of my knowledge I have never set eyes again from that day to this — ought to become the heroine of a novel. So then and there we took paper, and each of us began to write the said novel. I think that after she had completed two or three folio sheets my wife ceased from her fictional labours. But, growing interested, I continued mine, which resulted in the story called 'Dawn,'" Haggard never found out who the girl was but was sufficient inspired to write the first draft at Norwood in 1882, while studying for the Bar. The novel was originally called Angela, which was the first name of the heroine of the story; Angela was also the name of Haggard's eldest daughter.
Read online
  • 417
Jess

Jess

H. Rider Haggard

Adventure / Historical Fiction / Fantasy

The day had been very hot even for the Transvaal, where the days still know how to be hot in the autumn, although the neck of the summer is broken—especially when the thunderstorms hold off for a week or two, as they do occasionally. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Read online
  • 380


Long Odds

Long Odds

H. Rider Haggard

Adventure / Historical Fiction / Fantasy

A Detailed Biography Also Included at the Start.The subjects and historical periods that British action-adventure writer H. Rider Haggard tackled in his vast body of work ranged considerably, but one element remains a constant thread that unites his entire oeuvre: heart-racing adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you\'re looking for an engaging and entertaining read, try Haggard\'s Long Odds.
Read online
  • 366
The Mahatma and the Hare: A Dream Story

The Mahatma and the Hare: A Dream Story

H. Rider Haggard

Adventure / Historical Fiction / Fantasy

Sir Henry Rider Haggard KBE (1856-1925) was a Victorian writer of adventure novels set in exotic locations. After failing his army entrance exam he was sent to a private 'crammer' in London to prepare for the entrance exam for the British Foreign Office, for which he never sat. Haggard's father sent him to Africa in an unpaid position as assistant to the secretary to Lieutenant-Governor of Natal Sir Henry Bulwer. Heavily influenced by the larger-than-life adventurers he met in Colonial Africa, the great mineral wealth discovered in Africa, and the ruins of ancient lost civilizations in Africa such as Great Zimbabwe, Haggard created his Allan Quatermain adventures. Haggard also wrote about agricultural and social issues reform, in part inspired by his experiences in Africa, but also based on what he saw in Europe. Haggard is most famous as the author of the best-selling novel King Solomon's Mines (1885). Amongst his other works are She (1887), Allan Quatermain (1888), Eric Brighteyes (1891) and Ayesha (1895).
Read online
  • 331
Stella Fregelius: A Tale of Three Destinies

Stella Fregelius: A Tale of Three Destinies

H. Rider Haggard

Adventure / Historical Fiction / Fantasy

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Read online
  • 302
Allan Quatermain

Allan Quatermain

H. Rider Haggard

Adventure / Historical Fiction / Fantasy

Allan Quatermain is a novel by H. Rider Haggard. It is the sequel to Haggard\'s novel King Solomon\'s Mines. At the beginning of the book, Allan Quatermain\'s only son has died and he longs to get back into the wilderness. He persuades Sir Henry Curtis, Captain John Good, and the Zulu chief Umslopogaas to accompany him, and they set out from the coast of east Africa into the territory of the Maasai. While staying with a Scottish missionary, Mr. Mackenzie, they run into a group of Maasai who kidnap Mr. Mackenzie\'s daughter. The Maasai demand the life of Allan Quatermain as ransom, but he instead leads an attack on the Maasai, catching them by surprise and slaughtering them. The group then travel by canoe along an underground river to a lake (which turns out to be the sacred lake of Zu-Vendis) in the kingdom of Zu-Vendis beyond a range of mountains. The Zu-Vendi are a warlike race of white-skinned people isolated from other African races; their capital is called Milosis. At the time of the British party\'s arrival, they are ruled jointly by two sisters, Nyleptha and Sorais. The priests of the Zu-Vendi religion are hostile to the explorers as they had killed hippopotamuses — animals sacred to the Zu-Vendis — on their arrival, but the queens protect them. Both sisters fall passionately in love with Curtis, but Curtis loves only Nyleptha. Together with Nyleptha\'s rejection of the nobleman Nasta, the lord of a highland domain, a civil war breaks out. Sorais\' and Nasta\'s forces fight against those of Nyleptha, Curtis and Quatermain. After a battle in which Queen Nyleptha\'s forces emerge victorious despite being outnumbered, it turns out that Queen Nyleptha is threatened by the treachery of the priests, who plan to murder her in her palace before her army\'s return. Umslopogaas and one loyal warrior manage to save her by defending the main doorway of the palace, while killing the attackers including Nasta and the chief priest Agon, although both are mortally wounded. Defeated and jealous, Sorais takes her own life. Nyleptha and Curtis become queen and king, while Quatermain dies from a wound suffered in the battle.
Read online
  • 290
183