Adventure is not my genre, I told myself as I read the various introductions to June’s Reading to Know Classics bookclub pick. But I’m reading along with the bookclub, so I’ll read Haggard’s King Solomon’s Mines.
Having read King Solomon’s Mines, I wonder why I decided that adventure wasn’t my genre. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of an English gentleman, a former British naval captain, and a white adventurer/elephant hunter traveling through South Africa in search of the former’s brother, who had not been heard of since he left on his quest to find the legendary diamond mines belonging to the ancient King Solomon.
Allan Quatermain, the adventurer and elephant hunter, is the book’s narrator – and he describes the action in down-to-earth style. Allan knows something of the mines, but he also knows that no man who has seen them has lived – so he’s circumspect as he begins this quest, leading the expedition north. He has received promise of a share of any findings, but has little hope of returning to civilization with diamonds in store. Instead, he carries on the expedition for the sake of his son, a medical student in London. As payment for his leading the expedition, Quatermain has arranged that, on the occasion of his death (which is almost certain), a generous stipend is to be paid to Quatermain’s son by the gentleman (or his estate). And thus he goes to what is almost certainly death.
What follows is a story of dangerous hunts, unexpected revelations, and even a battle. As adventure goes, this had a little bit of everything – but no single dimension was so emphasized that I got tired of the creepiness of a witch, the danger of the hunt, or the clash of steel against steel (actually, I don’t remember if the battle involved steel or wood – and I returned the book before I reviewed it – Gah!)
King Solomon’s Mines has officially made me rethink my earlier position that adventure is not my genre. Adventure done like this is definitely up my alley!
Rating: 4 stars
Category: Adventure
Synopsis: Three white men set out into the inner portion of South Africa in search of one of the men’s brothers – who had been searching for King Solomon’s legendary diamond mines.
Recommendation: This was good. Even if you don’t think adventure is your thing, it’d be worth giving it a try.
I read this as a part of Carrie’s Reading to Know Classics Book Club Check out what other bloggers are saying about this book at this month’s conclusion post.