Mondays Book Talk - King Solomon's Mines

Written by Ben Kesp

King Solomon’s Mines by Henry Rider Haggard 

An adventure story like no other that will transport you to a raw and savage time in a period when European explorers were mapping out the great and wild continent of Africa. This is one of Henry Rider Haggard’s fables which viewed native people as primitive and in need of salvation in contrast to the white Europeans who were superior to other human types. It was Haggard’s experience in a wild and unchartered Africa that gave the backdrop to King Solomon’s Mines. 

Henry Rider Haggard was raised in a well do family in Norfolk, England. He lived in the African continent for seven years and afterwards returned to England and remained living there from 1882 until his death in 1925. His writing career began when he returned to England and King Solomon’s Mines is one of his greatest works which was first published in 1885. 

The adventure story is set in Africa and follows Allan Quartermain, an elephant hunter and his companions as they cross mountains and deserts in search for the hidden treasures of the biblical King Solomon. They eventually arrive in a place called Kukuanaland, which is ruled by a dictatorial King. Quartermain and his companions are caught up in tribal war, face fierce hardships and finally must confront the evil witch Gagool who knows the secrets to the hidden treasures.

The book moves at a fast pace right from the beginning. It is an easy read and draws you into the adventure in a wild Africa. It is set in a time when hunting of animals is a common occurrence so expect some scenes of elephant and giraffe killing! This however is just a minor part of the story. The adventures are interesting and they will really pull you in to see what happens next especially when the characters are caught in the tribal warfare at Kukuanaland. 

The main characters in the book are Allan Quartermain, Sir Henry Curtis, Captain John Good and Umbopa (Ignosi). Each character is given a general rounding and not too much time is spent on the character development. The story sets out on the adventure of finding the treasure early on and pulls the characters along through the various events and hardships. Allan Quartermain who is narrating the adventure is the most detailed character as he often reflects back on his own life within the tale and gives insights into his companions.