In King Solomon’s Mines, its protagonist, Allan Quatermain, must have been Indiana Jones’ grandfather. The two heroes have much in common.
High Point: It’s an uncommonly entertaining adventure with a few twists and surprises.
Low Point: The typical 19th century view towards disparate races.
Author: H. Rider Haggard
Publication Date: 1885
Genre: Fiction
In H. Rider Haggard’s King Solomon’s Mines, its protagonist, Allan Quatermain, must have been Indiana Jones’ grandfather. The two heroes have much in common.
The story of King Solomon’s Mines takes place in the 1880s—about 50 years before Indiana—as Quatermain is hired to help find a friend’s long-lost brother somewhere in the wilds of Africa. This plot bares only a small resemblance to the 1950 movie starring Deborah Kerr and Stewart Granger. The book is much more creative, and much more fun.
It’s told in the first-person perspective of Quatermain, and it’s an easy read.
Be aware, though, that the book does reflect the racial attitudes of the late 19th century. Even so, its characters—regardless of race—show considerable respect and affection for one another, and there is even a love interest between two of them.
King Solomon’s Mines provides a few hours of fun escape—especially since Quatermain can out-Indiana Indiana.
Movie/TV Adaptation
King Solomon’s Mines (1937); King Solomon’s Mines (1950); King Solomon’s Mines (1985)
Sources For This Book
Free eBook (Project Gutenberg): King Solomon’s Mines
Free Audiobook (LibriVox): King Solomon’s Mines
Available to Purchase: AbeBooks, Biblio, Thriftbooks
