Adventure Annotation - King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard

King Solomon's Mines 

By H. Rider Haggard

Synopsis:

The elephant hunter Allan Quatermain is hired by Sir Henry Curtis to locate his lost brother George. George disappeared while searching for the location of the diamond mines of King Solomon of the Old Testament. They set off, north into Africa, with a 300 year old map and clues to the last known whereabouts of Sir Henry's brother. Their search takes them across a desert, up and over mountains and embroils them in a civil war of the Kukuana people.





Characteristics of Adventure:

Pacing

King Solomon's Mine moves at a fast-pace with brisk storytelling.

"We left Durban at the end of January, and it was in the second week of May that we camped near Sitanda's Kraal. Our adventures on the way were many and various, but as they were of the sort which befall every African hunter, I shall not -  with one exception to be presently detailed - set them down here, lest I should render this history too wearisome."

Characterization

The protagonist is the hero Allan Quatermain, a tough individual known for his hunting and survival skills, honesty and misplaced modesty.

"...for I do not like to be thought one of those silly fellows who consider it witty to tell lies, and who are for ever boasting to new comers of extraordinary hunting adventures which never happened."

Story Line

The story line includes copious action scenes that propel the plot forward. Quatermain and his crew engage in a dangerous quest (for treasure).

"Presently the smoke cleared and revealed - oh, joy! - a great buck lying on its back and kicking furiously in its death agony."

Tone/Mood

The tone of King Solomon's Mines is one of grim reality and occasional bleak humor. The heroes face death continually and risk their lives on adventure.

"Anyway, the slaughter will be awful, and as we have a reputation to keep up, we shall have to be in the thick of it."

Style/Language

Haggard uses colorful language, military jargon and the jargon of African big game hunting.

"Round his throat he fastened the leopard-skin cloak of a commanding officer, on his brows he bound the plume of black ostrich feathers, worn only by generals of high rank, and round his centre a magnificent moocha of white-ox tails."

Frame/Setting

The setting for King Solomon's Mines is the varied environment of south and south/central Africa; desert, mountains, jungle.

"Here were dense patches of lofty forest, there a great river wound its silvery way. To the left stretched a vast expanse of rich, undulating veldt or grass land on which we could just make out countless herds of game or cattle..."

Read-A-Likes:

• Allan Quatermain by H. Rider Haggard
• Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
• The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser