Allan and the Holy Flower [Hardcover]

H. Rider Haggard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2003

Short excerpt: I do not suppose that anyone who knows the name of Allan Quatermain would be likely to associate it with flowers and especially with orchids. Yet as it happens it was once my lot to take part in an orchid hunt of so remarkable a character that I think its details should not be lost.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: IndyPublish.com (May 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1404358366
• ISBN-13: 978-1404358362
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,679,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A TREMENDOUSLY ENTERTAINING YARN, May 30, 2001

By 

s.ferber (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Allan and the Holy Flower (Works of H. Rider Haggard) (Paperback)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good later yarn by Haggard, September 5, 2005

By 

Extollager (Mayville, ND United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Allan and the Holy Flower (Works of H. Rider Haggard) (Paperback)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story full of excitement and suspense!, January 21, 2005

By 

C. L. D. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Allan and the Holy Flower (Works of H. Rider Haggard) (Paperback)

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.