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Allan Quatermain #3
Maiwa's Revenge; Or, The War of the Little Hand
Maiwa is a woman who is set on revenge, And what Maiwa wants, Maiwa gets!
102 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1888
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574 people want to read
About the author
H. Rider Haggard
1,604 books1,105 followersSir Henry Rider Haggard, KBE was an English writer of adventure novels set in exotic locations, predominantly Africa, and the creator of the Lost World literary genre. His stories, situated at the lighter end of the scale of Victorian literature, continue to be popular and influential. He was also involved in agricultural reform and improvement in the British Empire.
His breakout novel was King Solomon's Mines (1885), which was to be the first in a series telling of the multitudinous adventures of its protagonist, Allan Quatermain.
Haggard was made a Knight Bachelor in 1912 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1919. He stood unsuccessfully for Parliament as a Conservative candidate for the Eastern division of Norfolk in 1895. The locality of Rider, British Columbia, was named in his memory.
His breakout novel was King Solomon's Mines (1885), which was to be the first in a series telling of the multitudinous adventures of its protagonist, Allan Quatermain.
Haggard was made a Knight Bachelor in 1912 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1919. He stood unsuccessfully for Parliament as a Conservative candidate for the Eastern division of Norfolk in 1895. The locality of Rider, British Columbia, was named in his memory.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 24, 2024
I always feel I have to begin my review of an H. R. Haggard novel (novella in this case) with qualifying statements. Maiwa's Revenge was published in 1888, well over one hundred years ago. The world of 1888 was very different from the world of 2022. That may sound pedantic, but I have seen a few rather irksome reviews where people are dismissive of the content, and have chosen to get offended by either the antiquated language, the misogynistic themes, and the cavalier hunting practices.
IMHO Haggard wrote some wonderful classic adventures. Although I have some issues with the pervading colonialism that drives some of the Quatermain narratives (I'm a Puerto Rican that lives on the island), I choose to focus on the escapist nature of these stories. Generally the stories have serious undertones and this one is no different.
Maiwa is the daughter of a tribal chief and she is given as a bribe to another chief in an attempt to save her village, but although she is raised as a princess, she is little more than a symbol of status, a token to be manipulated by her husband. He treats her poorly and she looks to Allan Quatermain for help. I love this story. It is exceptional, paradigmatic, and has longevity. Those are my three criteria for a classic, and so ergo, I award the title of classic to this very fine book.
I subtract 1 star for some relevant critique of the storytelling device which is a big flaw in my mind. Quatermain is not the narrator of the story. Someone else is the narrator who listens as Quatermain tells the story. It is a very clumsy way of telling the story. Trigger Warning for misogyny, colonialization of Africa, and avaricious hunting.
IMHO Haggard wrote some wonderful classic adventures. Although I have some issues with the pervading colonialism that drives some of the Quatermain narratives (I'm a Puerto Rican that lives on the island), I choose to focus on the escapist nature of these stories. Generally the stories have serious undertones and this one is no different.
Maiwa is the daughter of a tribal chief and she is given as a bribe to another chief in an attempt to save her village, but although she is raised as a princess, she is little more than a symbol of status, a token to be manipulated by her husband. He treats her poorly and she looks to Allan Quatermain for help. I love this story. It is exceptional, paradigmatic, and has longevity. Those are my three criteria for a classic, and so ergo, I award the title of classic to this very fine book.
I subtract 1 star for some relevant critique of the storytelling device which is a big flaw in my mind. Quatermain is not the narrator of the story. Someone else is the narrator who listens as Quatermain tells the story. It is a very clumsy way of telling the story. Trigger Warning for misogyny, colonialization of Africa, and avaricious hunting.
May 28, 2018
Another short novel (I'm guessing novella-length) of Allan Quatermain telling one of his African adventures. In this case, it's ostensibly the story how he gets embroiled in the conflict between two African tribes and helps a woman (Maiwa) get her revenge on her terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad husband (chief of one of the tribes). And that stuff is done well enough, if you can get past the Victorian attitudes towards African natives, etc. (Which, to be fair, Haggard lived for a time in Africa, so was relatively enlightened for a man of his time & station; and that also means that his portrayal of Africa has a certain verismilitude, unlike Edgar Rice Burroughs other authors I could mention, much as I love their work.)
The thing I found most difficult to take -- in this short (100 page) novel that's supposed to be about Maiwa taking her revenge, the full first half (4 chapters out of 8) is Quatermain recounting with great glee an elephant hunt in which he took down three elephants with three shots.
So. Make of that what you will.
The thing I found most difficult to take -- in this short (100 page) novel that's supposed to be about Maiwa taking her revenge, the full first half (4 chapters out of 8) is Quatermain recounting with great glee an elephant hunt in which he took down three elephants with three shots.
So. Make of that what you will.
February 8, 2025
(1888). Third Quatermain tale. Very straightforward—really a quick exercise in action writing, the challenges mounting with hardly a rest from buffalo to rhino to elephants to all-out Zulu war. It’s Haggard stripped down, without the longueurs, but also without the eeriness or poetry.
Quote: “Luckily I retained my presence of mind, like the man who threw his mother-in-law out of the window, and carried the mattress down-stairs, when a fire broke out in his house.”
Allusion: “Then there were 'times,' as the Irish servant-girl says in the American book.” What book could this be?
Quote: “Luckily I retained my presence of mind, like the man who threw his mother-in-law out of the window, and carried the mattress down-stairs, when a fire broke out in his house.”
Allusion: “Then there were 'times,' as the Irish servant-girl says in the American book.” What book could this be?
December 1, 2016
হাতি শিকারের উপর মনোজ্ঞ বর্ণনা দেয়া হয়েছে । বেশ ভাল লেগেছে । অবশ্য এলান কোয়াটারমেইনের সব গুলো শিকার কাহিনীই বেশ ভাল ।
October 19, 2018
No lost civilizations or ancient cities appear in Maiwa's Revenge. And neither are there seers with unlimited lifespans or tribal magicians. It is a straight out adventure that combines two storylines. It verges on realism--maybe even a little more, as it even seems to edge towards literary naturalism. (Some passages are downright grisly.) For, if anything, the two connecting stories, one of a hunt for buffalo, rhinos, and elephants and another of a war between two rival African kingdoms, anticipate the sort of tales that Jack London would relate in his Alaskan and South Seas short stories. Haggard is influenced by Darwin, and the hand of fate and the determination of the natural environment filter into the struggles between man and beast and competing chiefs.
This is a good tale. It's short and can be read over the course of a couple of hours. In form, it's much like Haggard's earlier novel, Allan Quatermain, where an initial adventure--the hunt, in this case--leads to a jumping off into an even grander exploit--where Allan sides with a native Chief and his daughter against a neighboring tyrant. Thrown in, too, is the rescue of a White hostage--another recurring theme in Haggard's works.
This is a good tale. It's short and can be read over the course of a couple of hours. In form, it's much like Haggard's earlier novel, Allan Quatermain, where an initial adventure--the hunt, in this case--leads to a jumping off into an even grander exploit--where Allan sides with a native Chief and his daughter against a neighboring tyrant. Thrown in, too, is the rescue of a White hostage--another recurring theme in Haggard's works.
April 14, 2014
Don't read MAIWA'S REVENGE unless you're OK with hunting. The first half of this novella basically consists of Allan Quatermain gunning down every animal in sight, then heading off in search of more. Quatermain is devoted to collecting elephant tusks--not the most sympathetic of career choices these days, and often he kills simply for sport. How non-PC!
Other people might be annoyed by the way Quatermain belittles his native helpers and uses them for cannon fodder. A true product of his times, Quaterman is by no means the most culturally sensitive guy around.
The second half of the novella gets into the actual "revenge" part of the story. If you like large-scale battle scenes, then this oughta be right up your alley.
Other people might be annoyed by the way Quatermain belittles his native helpers and uses them for cannon fodder. A true product of his times, Quaterman is by no means the most culturally sensitive guy around.
The second half of the novella gets into the actual "revenge" part of the story. If you like large-scale battle scenes, then this oughta be right up your alley.
April 5, 2023
This is absolutely an Allan Quatermain side-story or short story and doesn't really try to be anything other than a bit of a flippant diversion. It fulfils that task perfectly adequately and it's fun spending time with the character as he recounts an ambitious Elephant hunt (probably the main purpose of the book, in fact) and then a mini-war between two African tribes which felt like a place we've already been with this character and that was simply less fleshed out. Amusing is Allan's awareness of his own obsession with ivory, half joking that he travels to fight the Matuku tribe in order to get their ivory rather than to rescue his fellow white man (more important than the black princess Maiwa's actual revenge, you understand - look, we know Haggard by now) from 6 years of brutal torture - the irony with which Haggard laces his text does show a keen awareness that maybe his own attitudes may be starting to date.
February 24, 2016
Not to be outdone around his own table on his specialist subject of hunting anecdotes, especially by a teller of such obvious "yarns" like Captain Good, Alan Quatermain entertains his like-minded guests with the tale of one of his most dangerous and audacious expeditions.
Dragging his reluctant native servants into territory forbidden to hunter's by Wambe, the chief of the largest local tribe, Quatermain faces buffalo, a livid rhinoceros and a trio of rampant bull elephants before entangling himself in an all-out tribal war.
I only read King Solomon's Mines for the first time two years ago as part of my continuing efforts to make up for some of the childhood reading I missed out on. To be polite, let's just say that I found it hadn't weathered the test of time very well.
This is more in keeping with the Quatermain character which has passed down the ages though: a man who always rejects the notion that he is in any significant way courageous; confident in his marksmanship, his stern handling of the awed natives and with his innate sense of "c'est la vie" fatalism.
Clearly his blood-lust for big game is unlikely to make him much of a hero for today's school children as he was with their Victorian counterparts, but his honesty, modesty and (comparative) respect for the natives (another quality missing in Solomon's) are commendable enough.
I actually found myself mildly enjoying this short novel, with it's strong heroine and smattering of colorful Zulu words and phrases, such as "Fate walks around loose in Wambe's country."
Quatermain revenged - or at least somewhat redeemed - for my scathing earlier review!
Dragging his reluctant native servants into territory forbidden to hunter's by Wambe, the chief of the largest local tribe, Quatermain faces buffalo, a livid rhinoceros and a trio of rampant bull elephants before entangling himself in an all-out tribal war.
I only read King Solomon's Mines for the first time two years ago as part of my continuing efforts to make up for some of the childhood reading I missed out on. To be polite, let's just say that I found it hadn't weathered the test of time very well.
This is more in keeping with the Quatermain character which has passed down the ages though: a man who always rejects the notion that he is in any significant way courageous; confident in his marksmanship, his stern handling of the awed natives and with his innate sense of "c'est la vie" fatalism.
Clearly his blood-lust for big game is unlikely to make him much of a hero for today's school children as he was with their Victorian counterparts, but his honesty, modesty and (comparative) respect for the natives (another quality missing in Solomon's) are commendable enough.
I actually found myself mildly enjoying this short novel, with it's strong heroine and smattering of colorful Zulu words and phrases, such as "Fate walks around loose in Wambe's country."
Quatermain revenged - or at least somewhat redeemed - for my scathing earlier review!
May 3, 2012
A woman scorned. . .
September 6, 2014
This is book three of the Quatermain series and I have loved then all.
April 26, 2017
বেশ ভাল।হ্যাগার্ড এর অনেক বই এর মত ভয়াবহ বোরিং না।কোয়ারটারমাইন থাকলে বই বেশিরভাগ সময়ই সুখপাঠ্য হয়।
August 4, 2021
[Around 3.5 to be specific.]
Maiwa's Revenge, the fourth book from Haggard's hunter Quatermain series tells the story of Quatermain's early hunting life and his involvement with two inimical tribe, pointing the wise ingenious woman Maiwa.
Quatermain's death in Haggard's second book "Allan Quatermain" made him realise the implicit mistake he made by killing probably one the best characters ever made in the history of afro-adventure phenomena. So he decided to make prequels and wrote the third book regarding Allan's wife Stella Carson. It was a success as well, like the previous two. Thus he started writing prequels frequently on hunter Quatermain's vigorous life.
Maiwa's Revenge is a story different from the usual angle of Haggard's constant, ordinary adventure-seeking writings. Rather it’s something more compound and comes in a reverse gear. The story begins with a campaign where Quatermain starts for hunting ivories in a distant land amidst the atrocious South African land. His uncertain fate fetches him to a situation he was never prepared for and there he met Maiwa, the key figure of the story. Together they set for a new journey from there under some circumstances. The story contains several war under Quatermain's custody between Afro tribes. I must say Haggard is a man with such amazing imagination capabilities that will make anyone baffled to his utter surprise. But some parts of the story made me feel out of place. Again the collaboration between his hunting and Maiwa's entrance was quite orderless. I found that part of the story inefficiently arranged. Otherwise I am a big fan of the character Allan Quatermain.
Maiwa's Revenge, the fourth book from Haggard's hunter Quatermain series tells the story of Quatermain's early hunting life and his involvement with two inimical tribe, pointing the wise ingenious woman Maiwa.
Quatermain's death in Haggard's second book "Allan Quatermain" made him realise the implicit mistake he made by killing probably one the best characters ever made in the history of afro-adventure phenomena. So he decided to make prequels and wrote the third book regarding Allan's wife Stella Carson. It was a success as well, like the previous two. Thus he started writing prequels frequently on hunter Quatermain's vigorous life.
Maiwa's Revenge is a story different from the usual angle of Haggard's constant, ordinary adventure-seeking writings. Rather it’s something more compound and comes in a reverse gear. The story begins with a campaign where Quatermain starts for hunting ivories in a distant land amidst the atrocious South African land. His uncertain fate fetches him to a situation he was never prepared for and there he met Maiwa, the key figure of the story. Together they set for a new journey from there under some circumstances. The story contains several war under Quatermain's custody between Afro tribes. I must say Haggard is a man with such amazing imagination capabilities that will make anyone baffled to his utter surprise. But some parts of the story made me feel out of place. Again the collaboration between his hunting and Maiwa's entrance was quite orderless. I found that part of the story inefficiently arranged. Otherwise I am a big fan of the character Allan Quatermain.
July 3, 2017
Maiwa's Revenge, which was serialized in Harper's Monthly in July and August 1888, is an interesting story comprised of two distinct parts as told by Allan Quatermain to Sir Henry Curtis and Captain Good of King Solomon's Mines fame. The first part concerns an ivory hunt and the shooting of a Cape buffalo, a rhinoceros and three large tuskers. The second part involves Allan's involvement in a tribal war of revenge. Allan, as narrator, is a senior citizen living on his shooting estate in Yorkshire and his tone is uncharacteristically mercenary and imperial. He is still the great Macumazahn but isn't as likeable in as he is in other books. Perhaps his tone is one of self-conscious braggadocio and done for the enjoyment of his comrades. Boys will be boys, after all. Let's just say that his tall tale certainly trumps Good's own dubious hunting tale. Taken in that light, all is forgiven. Regardless, as with all Haggard stories, there is more than enough going on to allow the reader a pleasant afternoon diversion.
September 23, 2021
A novella-length of the third book in the "Allan Quatermain" series. It centered around the story of Quatermain and his old pals, hunting wild fowls before he proceeded to tell his story about one of his adventures in Africa, involving shooting down three elephants with three bullets, helps to rescue his long lost friend, John Every, and lend a hand to the fierce, but strong-willed Maiwa to defeat her cruel husband, who had slaughtered their child.
I do not have many things to say about it since I thought that the second book was the perfect finish to the series. So I do not have high hopes for how H. Rider Haggard intended to pull off the rest of the series. Firstly, the book was written in the first POV of one of Quatermain's friends, whom I still have no clue as to their identity, which then switches to Quatermain's POV. I do not really care much for the current adventure, which half of the book focused on the hunting of the elephants. Needless to say, I have higher hopes for the next series in the book, Allan Quatermain's wife.
I do not have many things to say about it since I thought that the second book was the perfect finish to the series. So I do not have high hopes for how H. Rider Haggard intended to pull off the rest of the series. Firstly, the book was written in the first POV of one of Quatermain's friends, whom I still have no clue as to their identity, which then switches to Quatermain's POV. I do not really care much for the current adventure, which half of the book focused on the hunting of the elephants. Needless to say, I have higher hopes for the next series in the book, Allan Quatermain's wife.
August 30, 2018
Всему миру полагается одна история. Где бы не происходили события, они имеют одинаковую возможность произойти в любой точке на планете. Почему бы подобию исландских саг не случиться в землях зулусов? На юге Африки обитали не менее сильные духом люди, готовые биться за честь и достоинство. Имелись и мужественные женщины, мстящие мужьям за непотребное к ним отношение. Но дабы об этом рассказать, нужен предлог. Хаггард возродил Аллана Квотермейна, позволив ему сообщить историю об удачной охоте на слонов. Как-то само собой получилось так, что повествование значительно расширилось, вместив больше, нежели изначально было обещано.
(c) Trounin
(c) Trounin
June 15, 2023
Epic adventure at its best
Henry R. Haggard does not disappoint. His tales involving Alan Quartermain place great value on honor, bravery, truthfulness, and loyalty. These elemental standards apply equally to all the characters regardless of their ethnicity or importance to the story line. Heros and heroines display all the above qualities in addition to great loyalty, respect, and love for their fellow man. Haggard's stories make you strive to conduct yourself in a similar manner. Give your feelings for mankind a boost and enjoy a great read !
Henry R. Haggard does not disappoint. His tales involving Alan Quartermain place great value on honor, bravery, truthfulness, and loyalty. These elemental standards apply equally to all the characters regardless of their ethnicity or importance to the story line. Heros and heroines display all the above qualities in addition to great loyalty, respect, and love for their fellow man. Haggard's stories make you strive to conduct yourself in a similar manner. Give your feelings for mankind a boost and enjoy a great read !
September 30, 2025
Maiwa’s Revenge reflects both the thrills and flaws of colonial-era adventure fiction. The first half drags with relentless hunting scenes, making Quatermain seem more ruthless trophy-seeker than hero. His dismissive treatment of native companions further highlights the cultural insensitivity of the time. The latter half, focused on vengeance and large-scale battles, is more engaging but still steeped in dated values. Overall, the novella offers action but struggles to resonate with modern readers.
September 2, 2022
The author describes most brutal ways how Allan Quatermain slaughters different animals, it is most horrible and incredibly entertaining(there might be something wrong with me).
Allan's adventures are old school, I enjoy them a lot and this one was sweet and short.
There was one point in the story I was able to predict, but it did not make the story bad.
Allan's adventures are old school, I enjoy them a lot and this one was sweet and short.
There was one point in the story I was able to predict, but it did not make the story bad.
May 30, 2020
This one, the third in the series, is a great adventure of the Revenge of Maiwa. I really enjoyed the action and the fighting in this book.
April 10, 2021
Old fashioned adventure yarn by Haggard.
April 28, 2021
Good and captivating
Very interesting from start to finish giving a picture of that time life of Africa it's people and the white people.
Very interesting from start to finish giving a picture of that time life of Africa it's people and the white people.
July 16, 2025
Great story by great author with great narration by a great narrator...
January 10, 2021
The third book in the Allan Quatermain series. Entertaining.
April 20, 2023
This is a short novel charting more of Allan Quartermain’s hunting adventures through the wilds of Africa. If you haven’t come across these stories before, they’re excellent fast-paced thrill-rides through the African bush. The first half of the book has Allan telling the story of his epic pursuit of three bull elephants. He encounters lions and rhinos along the way (as he does in almost every story) and proves his unmatched skill as a hunter. This conquest leads him into conflict with Wambe, a tyrannical local chief. Maiwa, the chief’s wife helps Allan lead an army against him. These stories are always a lot of fun, full of adventure, humour and derring-do. I heartily recommend them.
June 28, 2016
#3 in the Allan Quatermain series and is a novella rather than a novel. Quatermain relates this adventure in an after dinner conversation with friends. It relates a years earlier hunting trip by Quatermain who encounters and helps a young woman, Maiwa, obtain revenge upon the man who killed her child. Includes a trek into the African wilderness, near death brushes with wild animals, an escaping battle with natives and then an all out battle between two tribes.
June 15, 2019
More of a novella, as it's very short, this one was pretty disappointing for me. The first half is an extremely boring hunting expedition that doesn't go anywhere fun or even interesting. The second half is where it picks up a little but more, focusing on Maiwa and her plight.
While the premise was pretty good, it just dragged and dragged. I think a longer, more intricately woven tale could have worked much better. Unfortunately, this one feels pretty skippable.
While the premise was pretty good, it just dragged and dragged. I think a longer, more intricately woven tale could have worked much better. Unfortunately, this one feels pretty skippable.
February 25, 2014
Yes the book is biased bigoted and completely out of touch with today's views however the book was written when these views were the norm. Although a short tale this story from 1888 slap bang in the Victorian era is a wonderful reflection of the times. These tales from Africa are amongst my favourite reads.
November 24, 2016
An extraordinary gent meets an extraordinary woman.
June 10, 2014
H. Rider Haggard wrote very readable adventure novels, here is another.
September 4, 2017
Quatermain becomes a much more intriguing character the more I read of him. Manly, savage, yet kind to women.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews