Customer Reviews

Allan and the Holy Flower (Works of H. Rider Haggard)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the 14 books that H. Rider Haggard wrote (starting with "King Solomon's Mines") depicting the adventures of Allan Quatermain, great English hunter in the wilds of mysterious Africa. I was a little worried when I started this book, as it took around 1 1/2 whole pages to get going, but then the next 394 pages proved just as action-packed, fast-moving and entertaining as can be. The story concerns an expedition for a very rare orchid, and the search for the kidnapped wife of one of Quatermain's friends. There are any number of tremendous battle scenes, and before all is said and done, we have run up against a giant gorilla god, cannibals, slave traders, a very suspenseful lake chase, evil wizards, a hidden volcanic sanctuary...and on and on. And for fans of Quatermain's Hottentot sidekick, Hans, let me add that this great character has rarely been shown in a more humorous or heroic light. Haggard's imagination seemed to be working overtime on this book, and despite an occasional inconsistency here and there (e.g., in one spot he writes that the Mother of the Flower is always eaten by her followers, and later on he writes that they are buried), the result is one tremendously entertaining yarn. What an incredible movie this would make, if done faithfully! It is a real shame that this book has been out of print for so long and is so hard to find now. It is well worth searching out.

Probably many people who have read widely in Haggard's works would agree with C. S. Lewis, who said that Haggard's later books are better written than the earlier ones, but have less mythopoeic power. My reading of 16 of the novels (so far) bears out the truth of Lewis's comment. Haggard himself claimed that his best work was done early one (say, King Solomon's Mines, She, Nada the Lily, Allan Quatermain, Eric Brighteyes, etc.) - - although it's been reported that he thought the relatively late Child of Storm was his best single book. (I don't know of any Haggard readers who would agree with that.)

Anyway, Allan and the Holy Flower proved to be a fine entertainment. I rate it 3 stars because it isn't on the level of other books by Haggard; but as a "good yarn" it's well worth reading.

Haggard proved to me again that he is one of the greatest adventure novelists ever. His use of character development and scenery and culture is absolutely captivating. There is nothing predictable in the book, which is very refreshing. There is nothing I dislike more than a novel that is easy to predict what happens next.
By the time you've read an hour's worth, you're hooked, and loving and feeling for nearly every character in the book. Because of this and King Solomon's Mines, I intend to find and read every Haggard book I can get my hands on.

I thoroughly enjoyed this rousing adventure tale, and rate it 5 stars. The author is quite a talented writer, and this book did not seem a bit dated to me even though it is an older book. I would highly recommend it for all readers who enjoy great African adventure stories.