Red Eve

by H. Rider Haggard

This is the story of the beautiful Eve Clavering, known as “Red Eve” for her many scarlet dresses. Only Eve’s longtime lover, a merchant’s son named Hugh de Cressi, can save her from a bleak fate in this gripping novel set during the tumultuous reign of King Edward III.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction, British Literature, English Literature, Ebooks, Historical Romance

266 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1911

About the author

Sir 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.

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For his 37th work of fiction, H. Rider Haggard, the so-called "father of the lost-race novel" and an expert at writing historical adventure tales as well, decided to go back to the Dark Ages. "Red Eve," which Haggard wrote in a six-month period from 1908-1909, was ultimately published in 1911, and turns out to be yet another winner from this wonderful storyteller. In it, we meet Hugh de Cressi, a merchant's son who is in love with "Red Eve" Clavering, a high-born cousin of his, in the year 1346. Eve is in love with him, too, but is being wooed by the traitorous knight Sir Edmund Acour. When Acour realizes that he can't win the affections of his intended in the traditional manner, he slips her a love philtre and weds her while she is doped up. It will now take an act of papal intervention to annul this marriage, and before that can happen, Hugh and his squire, the death-faced Gray Dick, get called by King Edward III to perform many acts of service. Thus, they travel around Europe and, like a pair of medieval Forrest Gumps, are witness to some of the key historical events of the 14th century. They are present at the Battle of Crecy, arrive in Venice just in time for the great earthquake of 1347, witness firsthand the ravages of the Black Death, and go to the papal city of Avignon to seek an audience with Pope Clement.

But this isn't just an historical adventure novel. Haggard loved injecting otherworldly fantasy elements into even his most realistic fictions, and in "Red Eve," the plague, and death itself, are personified in a character named Murgh, who we first meet in Cathay and later in Venice, just as the Black Death commences. A quite imposing personage, Murgh delivers some very interesting disquisitions on the nature of death and dying, which could be boiled down to the Blue Oyster Cult mantra "don't fear the reaper." But "Red Eve" features some other very interesting characters as well, most notably Gray Dick, another in a long line of fascinating Haggardian sidekicks, this one having almost supernatural abilities with the longbow; and Sir Andrew Arnold, Hugh's godfather and one of the original Knights Templar, deadly with a blade and yet almost saintlike in demeanor. Besides the historical tableaux that Haggard leads us through, we are also treated to an archery contest, a jousting match, numerous duels to the death, some tender love scenes and at least two huge battles. Haggard has been accused (unfairly, I feel) of occasional anti-Semitic references in his works (most notably the characterization of Jacob Meyer in "The Spirit of Bambatse"), but in "Red Eve," not only are the Jews of Avignon shown in an heroic light, but Gray Dick delivers some telling commentary on the foolishness of holding all Jews to blame for a crime that was committed over a thousand years ago that brought about "the salvation of mankind."

"Red Eve" is not a perfect book--some words are spoken that weren't in use in 1346; "angel coins" are seen trading hands, although they didn't come into being until 1465--but it is still a remarkably entertaining page turner. Those readers seeking a red-blooded historical adventure with a dash of the otherworldly thrown in will not find a book much better than this one. And the Hodder & Stoughton edition that I just read, dating back at least 80 years or so, has several full-color plates that only add to the pleasure.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love H. Rider Haggard the black plague and romance then you are sure to love this novel.

[Sazid Shahriar · Rating 2 out of 5]

"হ্যাগার্ডের বই না" এটা ভেবে পড়লে হয়তো ভালো লাগবে।
হিউ ডি ক্রেসি তথা কাহিনির মেইন প্রোটাগোনিস্ট আনফরচুনেটলি একটা ইমোশনাল, দিলদরিয়ে, ""পাগলু, বিরক্তিকর একটা ক্যারেক্টার ছাড়া কিছু না।

এই বইয়ের সেরা অংশটাই হল রিচার্ড আরচার ওরফে গ্রে ডিক। তার জন্য আর মধ্যযুগের পটভূমির জন্যই এক আর এক করে দুই তারা।

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adventure/ romance that follows the struggles of a sturdy 14th century member of the minor gentry to win his love and fulfill a mission set by his king. It opens in February, 1346 in England with two lovers since childhood, cousins whose well to do families are feuding, attempt to flee together to avoid her being forced into a marriage with a French noble who is also plotting against the English king. That is the beginning of the lovers’ tale that bridges the Far East and Europe, the Black Plague and a mystical figure who brings death.

A good basic story which some what drags on.

[Trounin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Не будь на свете женщин, чем тогда могли заниматься мужчины? Или… о чём тогда писать Райдеру Хаггарду? На страницах очередного произведения описывались приключения, связанные с необходимостью разрубить узел злосчастного брака. Некогда произошло неприятное — без приличествующих ухаживаний и подвигов — было пленено сердце прекрасной Евы, чьё лицо часто пылало алым жаром. Не по своей воле, а по причине одурманивания, Ева связала судьбу с неприятным человеком, с которым обязана жить до старости или пока не вмешается смерть. Ежели она желает найти спасение — потребуется позволение папы римского. Дабы совершить требуемое, придётся объехать половину Европы, столкнувшись с самыми примечательными событиями своего времени.

(c) Trounin

[Matt Kelland · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved Haggard's adventure stories as a kid, and the Quatermain novels still stand up, but this was unreadable. It reads like a bad translation from Latin, with sentences like "Then wish I death most vile to he who durst upon me his hand impious lay." I couldn't get through it.

[Robert Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the title character and wish she had more of a role in the events of the book, but otherwise I really liked this one. Great fight scenes, great mythical elements, great villains. Very little not to love.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. Different from his African gold mine adventures, this was set in the time of Edward III, with plague, war, some fantasy, and a sort of Romeo Juliet plot.

[CynthyB · Rating 4 out of 5]

H. Rider Haggard has got to be one of the best story-tellers of all time! All previous of his books I've read took place in Africa. _Red Eve_ provided a decided change of scenery, taking the reader to (not so) "Merry" Old England, Italy and France of the 14th century. I am not particularly excited about the black plague, but I loved this historically fictionalized tale of a valiant knight, Sir Hugh de Cressi, his loyal friend, Grey Dick, a death-faced archer, and the woman "Red Eve" whom he loved.

Haggard has refined the art of vividly recreating a past time and place, with its sights, sounds, and flavors. His characters range from the lowest of the low to the truest and noblest--flawed humans, with depth of character. I loved the ever-shifting balance between Hugh's more compassionate character and Dick's revengeful nature. I admire Haggard's skillful use of his metaphorical character, Murgh, to accent the darkness, fear, and loathing people feel for death, while also hinting that his purposes prove to also serve a form of good that most are blind to.

This was the ninth of Haggard's books that I've read, and I've found that Rider Haggard always weaves a suspenseful, riveting adventure using his amazing command of language (without the use of vulgarities) that keeps me coming back for more.

[Garick Cooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars. This is what might happen if Ivanhoe and "The Masque of the Red Death" had a love child--except that Haggard is not the equal of either Scott or Poe. I have read several novels by Haggard by this time (I can think of eight offhand, including She), always with the feeling that the next one will be the one where he really nails it and produces the novel that he only hints at elsewhere. By this time, I think I have come to the realization that that hope will never materialize. Ultimately, Red Eve was another disappointment. Purported to be one of his better novels, it starts off well enough, with a duel that culminates in a manhunt. There is lots of action, and some really fine set pieces. But the central premise is flimsy, the climax is ridiculous, and Haggard makes some odd choices along the way. For example: he chooses to describe Death (or Murg) in painstaking detail, down to his shoes and jewelry. And why does Death, who is apparently rescued from some Venetian toughs by our protagonists, need their assistance, anyway? He is Death, after all. Far gorier than anything by Sir Walter Scott, the bodies of men and animals pile up. (If you like horses, you may want to skip this one.) All leading to a laughable denouement.

[Steve C · Rating 5 out of 5]

The edition I have of this book I would NOT recommend as it has multiple errors in print, no page numbers, and missing chapter numbers. The edition is from Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. Avoid it at all costs.

Having said that, the book is very good. As with Haggard novels, the adventure is exciting and the characters are identifiable. This and the Saga of Eric Brighteyes are both very entertaining and at points, page turning. The story line is fascinating and highly recommend for enjoyment reading. There are a number of characters in the book but you can really identify with Hugh, Eve, and the Archer. Again, highly recommended.

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the 14th Century at the time of the great Venice quake, the beginning of the Hundred Years War, and the start of the spread of the plague, the fictional characters move from England to France to Italy and back. Given my limited knowledge of the time the historical personages and battle descriptions seem correct and complete. The picture of the plague is grim.

The story of Hugh, Grey Dick, Red Eve, and Fr. Andrew is engaging and I enjoyed the read.

[ManjuPriyaKTT]

Nice book to read

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