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Allan Quatermain #6
Child of Storm
In this sequel to Marie, Allan Quatermain helps his Zulu friend Saduko in a crazy battle to win 100 cattle for the dowry of his love Mameena. However, the beautiful and mysterious Mameena, known as the "Child of Storm," seduces Allan and tries to engage him in marriage.
Excerpt from Child of Storm
Dear Mr. Stuart,
For twenty years, I believe I am right in saying, you, as Assistant Secretary for Native Affairs in Natal, and in other offices, have been intimately acquainted with the Zulu people. Moreover, you are one of the few living men who have made a deep and scientific study of their language, their customs and their history. So I confess that I was the more pleased after you were so good as to read this tale the second book of the epic of the vengeance of Zikali, "the Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born," and of the fall of the House of Senzangakona - when you wrote to me that it was animated by the true Zulu spirit.
I must admit that my acquaintance with this people dates from a period which closed almost before your day. What I know of them I gathered at the time when Cetewayo, of whom my volume tells, was in his glory, previous to the evil hour in which he found himself driven by the clamour of his regiments, cut off, as they were, through the annexation of the Transvaal from their hereditary trade of war, to match himself against the British strength.
Excerpt from Child of Storm
Dear Mr. Stuart,
For twenty years, I believe I am right in saying, you, as Assistant Secretary for Native Affairs in Natal, and in other offices, have been intimately acquainted with the Zulu people. Moreover, you are one of the few living men who have made a deep and scientific study of their language, their customs and their history. So I confess that I was the more pleased after you were so good as to read this tale the second book of the epic of the vengeance of Zikali, "the Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born," and of the fall of the House of Senzangakona - when you wrote to me that it was animated by the true Zulu spirit.
I must admit that my acquaintance with this people dates from a period which closed almost before your day. What I know of them I gathered at the time when Cetewayo, of whom my volume tells, was in his glory, previous to the evil hour in which he found himself driven by the clamour of his regiments, cut off, as they were, through the annexation of the Transvaal from their hereditary trade of war, to match himself against the British strength.
374 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1913
63 people are currently reading
602 people want to read
About the author
H. Rider Haggard
1,584 books1,095 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 25, 2023
This is my third Sir Henry Rider Haggard novel this year which I intended as a dedication to reading several of the 60-plus Haggard works I own. Thematically, it is very similar to the two previous works (Allan's Wife and Marie) because it involves Allan Quartermain's interactions with women, African Zulu culture, and his abilities as a Big Game hunter. Here, there is a Helen of Troy trope where disparate factions of men preen, fight, cajole over the affections of Mameena a gorgeous femme fatale type (the Child of Storm in the title.) Because Mameena is aware of her beauty and recognizes this to be her "only" (her word not mine) asset in the patriarchal society prevalent in the Zulu nation, she negotiates her favors which of course creates difficult, tenuous dramatic situations between the males. Although Quartermain attempts to extricate himself from involvement numerous times, he is consistently asked to be a witness and finds himself more than just witness to the events. The fact that he is a white hunter puts him in the unique position of being considered both an authority and an intrusion. Quartermain always seems to love the indigenous cultures although navigating them is not always a simple thing. Another fascinating and classic work IMHO.
August 14, 2021
যখন হ্যাগার্ড গ্রোগ্রাসে গিলতাম।
April 11, 2018
Half of SRC Spring 2018 task 30.4-3 (Mass Market Paperback has 344 pages)
(Not sure the second half, but need 256pp and either "0nly 345 rating" or "#3, 4, or 5 in a series" AND not children AND not comics [drat]!)… also, don't forget, this is a Golden Oldies book, too.
(Not sure the second half, but need 256pp and either "0nly 345 rating" or "#3, 4, or 5 in a series" AND not children AND not comics [drat]!)… also, don't forget, this is a Golden Oldies book, too.
November 28, 2023
প্রথম খসরু চৌধুরীর অনুবাদে হ্যাগার্ডের 'অ্যালান কোয়াটারমেইন' পড়ি৷ বেশ ভালো লেগেছিল সেটা। এরপর লেখকের 'কুইন অব দ্যা ডন, মর্নিং স্টার, ক্লিওপেট্রা' ইত্যাদিও পড়েছি। কিন্তু কোনো বইই আর প্রথমবারের মতো তেমন মনে ধরেনি। এ বছর জুলু ট্রিলজির প্রথম বই 'মেরি' শেষ করেছি এক প্রকার জোর করে। সেদিক দিয়ে ট্রিলজির দ্বিতীয় বই কিছুটা এগিয়ে থাকবে। আয়তনে ছোট এবং বিরক্তির উদ্রেক করেনি।কিছু জিনিস বাদ দিলে বলা যায় 'সুখপাঠ্য'।
August 25, 2014
I'll admit, this book grew on me. But only towards the very end. In fact, mainly just in the last five chapters.
I found the story hard to relate to, and the continual reference to Zulu jargon was tiring as it seemed to always double back on itself, and simultaneously to tie in to absolutely no aforementioned background.
Having found this book on Goodreads, I now see that it is the second in a series. Perhaps several things would have made more sense if I had started the series properly. However, be things as they may, I will most likely not be reading the first book.
I can't say for sure though. I've grown rather fond of Allan Quatermain, Watcher-by-Night, white trader extraordinaire, user of odd metaphors, and master of backhanded racist comments. (I'm sure the writing is just a product of it's times/circumstances. Nevertheless, I was not fond of his references to the Zulus, although he was, for the most part, quite fond of them himself.)
So we'll just see where the future leads me. Perhaps Zikali himself has seen that I will read the series. If so, there is no use in trying to put it off. Have I wings wherewith to fly over the Tugela in wrath, as it well may be after the rains? Nay, I have not. All will come to its proper end.
I found the story hard to relate to, and the continual reference to Zulu jargon was tiring as it seemed to always double back on itself, and simultaneously to tie in to absolutely no aforementioned background.
Having found this book on Goodreads, I now see that it is the second in a series. Perhaps several things would have made more sense if I had started the series properly. However, be things as they may, I will most likely not be reading the first book.
I can't say for sure though. I've grown rather fond of Allan Quatermain, Watcher-by-Night, white trader extraordinaire, user of odd metaphors, and master of backhanded racist comments. (I'm sure the writing is just a product of it's times/circumstances. Nevertheless, I was not fond of his references to the Zulus, although he was, for the most part, quite fond of them himself.)
So we'll just see where the future leads me. Perhaps Zikali himself has seen that I will read the series. If so, there is no use in trying to put it off. Have I wings wherewith to fly over the Tugela in wrath, as it well may be after the rains? Nay, I have not. All will come to its proper end.
July 1, 2017
I hate to say it, but Child of Storm, while good, might might have been great if Allan Quatermain hadn't appeared as a character. The story, with its mix of politics, warfare and sex is excellent but would have been better served if it had been told through the perspective of the Zulus, in the manner of Nada the Lily, and not through the lens of a European character, even one as awesome as Macumazahn. Still, it's a first-rate adventure with enough intrigue to keep the reader interested.
January 10, 2022
হ্যানরি রাইডার হ্যাগার্ড মানেই এক অন্যরকম কিছু বা বিশেষ কোনো আকর্ষণ। তার প্রতিটি রচনা নানা ভাবে পাঠক হৃদয়কে আকৃষ্ট করেছে | ঠিক তেমনই সাম্প্রতিক সময়ে আমার পড়া তার আরো একটি বিশেষ গ্রন্থ হচ্ছে "চাইল্ড অভ স্টর্ম"| এ বইটির এক আলাদা বিশেষত্ব আছে আর তা হলো প্রথমে বইটি ড়লে মনে হবে যে এটি কোনো একটি শিকারভিত্তিক কাহিনী কিছুদূর এগোলেই পাঠক বুঝতে পারবে প্রেম, ভালোবাসা, বিশ্বাসঘাতকতা,বিরহ, চাতুরি এ সবকিছি মিলিয়ে এক রোমান্টিক আখ্যানের জন্ম দিয়েছেন লেখক যার মল আকর্ষণ হচ্ছে দূর্ধর্ষ শকারি অ্যালেন কোয়াটারমেইন|||||
October 29, 2018
Zululand prepares for a civil war in this tale of Allan Quatermain's adventures in southern Africa. It's an odd, but ensnaring, tale that is sometimes part anthropology, other times history, and full time mystery rooted in mysticism. Haggard goes to great detail at first in equating and then comparing the moral and ethical system of the Zulus with Western Europe. Of one thing he is sure, Zulus are but little different from Englishmen of times past in the motivations, cruelty, aspirations, jealousy, loves, and friendships that animate their lives.
Child of Storm is built around the actual conflict for succession between the sons of Zulu Chief Panda, Prince Umbelazi and Prince Cetewayo. But Haggard introduces the fictional characters of Saduko, Quatermain's socially ambitious friend, and Mameena, a witch working under the influence of the wizard, Zikali, who has ambitions that stretch even beyond those of Saduko. What plays out is almost Shakespearean in its drama. Mameena is an iconic beauty, a Zulu Helen of Troy whose physical features seem a cross between African and European. But her character doesn't end there. She uses her sexuality to advance herself like a Cleopatra of the Zulu veld, going from one powerful man to another to gain influence. Meanwhile, she is also a schemer of diabolic proportions, an African Lady Macbeth, who fails in her mission to become the ultimate power behind the throne only by the slimmest of margins.
One of the better novels in the Quatermain series.
Child of Storm is built around the actual conflict for succession between the sons of Zulu Chief Panda, Prince Umbelazi and Prince Cetewayo. But Haggard introduces the fictional characters of Saduko, Quatermain's socially ambitious friend, and Mameena, a witch working under the influence of the wizard, Zikali, who has ambitions that stretch even beyond those of Saduko. What plays out is almost Shakespearean in its drama. Mameena is an iconic beauty, a Zulu Helen of Troy whose physical features seem a cross between African and European. But her character doesn't end there. She uses her sexuality to advance herself like a Cleopatra of the Zulu veld, going from one powerful man to another to gain influence. Meanwhile, she is also a schemer of diabolic proportions, an African Lady Macbeth, who fails in her mission to become the ultimate power behind the throne only by the slimmest of margins.
One of the better novels in the Quatermain series.
July 6, 2016
#6 in the Allan Quatermain adventure series. Another tale of a series of African adventures by Quatermain filled with dangerous near death situations and pitched battles. This is modeled somewhat after the Helen of Tray Greek saga. Adventurer Allan Quatermain helps his Zulu friend Saduko win 100 cattle to buy his true love Mameena ("Child of Storm"). She is an extremely beautiful and highly intelligent Zulu daughter of a lower level chief and she has ambitions to become the top female in all Zululand. She uses her beauty to "bewitch" males as she moves up the power ladder with the end result civil war and thousands of Zulu deaths. Story takes place between 1854 - 1858.
April 28, 2019
তিনি এমন এক লেখক যার কোনো গল্পই এক মুহুর্তের জন্যও বোরিং লাগেনি।
October 13, 2018
I enjoyed being enmeshed in the intricacies of clashing politics and personalities in nineteenth century Zululand. The fact that almost all the characters are Zulus makes it more interesting still. Edgar Rice Burroughs could write dozens of books set in Africa without the scantiest consideration for the inner life of any black African, but here the black Africans take centre stage.
If all this is not quite enough to acquit Rider Haggard of racism it still makes him more interesting and nuanced than most of his contemporaries. The Child of Storm is a Zulu woman of captivating personality. There is sexual chemistry between her and the English hero, Allan Quatermain. When I was last in Zululand in the 1980's sexual relations of any kind between white men and Zulu women were illegal and punishable by imprisonment. It is shocking that this should have been the case seventy years after the publication of this novel, but also remarkable that Rider Haggard should have written so frankly about what was considered a taboo. (Of course, he wasn't too frank - Quatermain and Mameena don't actually have sex...)
This is not great literature but it is enjoyable, easily digestible, and fast paced.
If all this is not quite enough to acquit Rider Haggard of racism it still makes him more interesting and nuanced than most of his contemporaries. The Child of Storm is a Zulu woman of captivating personality. There is sexual chemistry between her and the English hero, Allan Quatermain. When I was last in Zululand in the 1980's sexual relations of any kind between white men and Zulu women were illegal and punishable by imprisonment. It is shocking that this should have been the case seventy years after the publication of this novel, but also remarkable that Rider Haggard should have written so frankly about what was considered a taboo. (Of course, he wasn't too frank - Quatermain and Mameena don't actually have sex...)
This is not great literature but it is enjoyable, easily digestible, and fast paced.
November 4, 2022
The book was OK, it got a bit boring with all the Zulu laws and court sessions. Honestly, Mameena was the OG femme fatale LOL!
Some issues with racism toward the so-called "savages" from Alan. The plot was great, loved how Mameena tried to hide her witchery throughout the story.
Summary: *spoiler alert*
Allan Quatermain travels to Zululand, to meet his friends, Umbezi a small chief, and Scowl his servant and friend. Umbezi had a wife he called the Worn-Out-Old-Cow, who despised his daughter, Mameena because she thought she was a witch. Allan grew curious and asked to know more about Mameena, which Umbezi obliged since he would like her to marry this rich white man. He told Allan that Mameena was gorgeous, she was nicknamed Child of Storm for being born on the night of a great storm. Saduko, loves Mameena and he believes she loves him back. Umbezi asked for 100 cattle and he'll think of Saduko for his daughter. Saduko speaks to Allan and asks him to go with him to steal cattle, but first, they must go to Zikali, a wizard, to see what their fate will be. They go there and he says that they shall encounter a buffalo with a cleft horn and that he will injure Allan very badly. He also warns Allan about Mameena, that she's a dangerous one and he should be careful. At night Allan, Saduko and Scowl went to the tribe and stole the cows, when suddenly a group of buffalos ambushed them and indeed a buffalo with a cleft horn injured Allan in the stomach, fighting him in a mud puddle, and then ran away. Scowl cried thinking Allan was dead, but they took him back to the tribe where he was treated and got well pretty quickly. In the hut where Allan rested, Mameena entered to take care of him, what a lovely woman she was, she was copper-skinned. They engaged in conversation and she confessed to loving Allan but started crying because she was brown-skinned and he was white, and in the culture, their blood shouldn't mix. He comforted her and she kissed him, but then she said they shall only be friends because she shouldn't stain his white blood with her black blood.
Saduko came back with the 100 cattle, only to find out Umbezi married Mameena to Masapo, a chief from another tribe since he brought 120 cattle and Mameena claimed to love him. Saduko was furious and went to Panda, the big chief of said tribe, to ask him to give Mameena to him instead, but Panda refused and gave Saduko his daughter instead, a gorgeous woman called Nandie. Allan leaves Zululand only to return a year later, he encounters Mameena who confesses to him that she does not love her husband, and loves him instead. But Allan refuses anything with Mameena since she's a married woman. He met Saduko and found out he had a baby boy with his wife Princess Nandie. They held a reunion at Saduko's house to welcome Allan, and Mameena with Masapo was there too. Masapo couldn't help but see Saduko looking at Mameena with loveable eyes, he turned to leave because he was mad and accidentally struck Nandie, making her fall back and causing the child to fall out of her arms and hitting his head on a pebble causing his head to bleed. Saduko got furious and struck Masapo, telling him to leave his house. Mameena said she will follow her husband and as expected, Saduko said he needed to have some air. Allan went out only to find both of them kissing behind a wagon. Allan went straight to his hut as if he had seen nothing.
In the morning Saduko asks Allan to hurry to his hut to help his poor little baby, whom he thinks had been bewitched by Masapo. When Allan saw the baby he knew he could do nothing, it was slowly dying by the poison he supposed. After a while, the baby died, and Saduko wanted revenge. He held a trial against Masapo. They called Zikalo to sniff out the killer, he stopped in front of Mameena and sniffed her, he smelled the scent of the poison in her hair. She took the fillet that bound her hair and the cloak she wore. Standing in front of the crowd naked. There was nothing in her person, but in Masapo however, they found a bag with powder, Masapo declared it was not poison, but instead a powder he used to clean his nails. The wizard brought a dish with milk and poured some of the powder in it, called for a dog, and let the dog eat it. The dog started to have the red rash the baby had and started foaming in the mouth, after 10 horrible minutes the poor creature died. The crowd yelled to kill him, and they did, Masapo clung to Allan and begged to help him, claiming it was Mameena, and that she was the witch, not him. But they took him away and killed him.
Saduko married Mameena and she became sisters with Nandie, but it was obvious he gave more attention to Mameena than Nandie, and that made her jealous and sad. She did not trust Mameena, because she felt she had something to do with her baby's death. They fought a lot and one-day Mameena left a letter saying she will not deal with this anymore and went off with Umbelazi, the son of Panda. Umbelazi goes to fight some tribe and dies a few days later after Mameena met him and kissed him. This was the proof they needed that she was a femme fatale. The king held a trial to convict Mameena of killing the child, leaving Saduko and running off with another man, and bewitching his son. A witness said he had seen Mameena creep into the hut of Saduko and sprinkle some powder on the baby's bed. Panda sent her off to be executed but she asks him to give her permission to kiss Allan one last time, and she does, but between their kisses, she swallowed something, which we later found out was poison given to her by Zikali. She leaped forward and died, that was the end of Mameena, the child of storm, the og femme fatale.
Allan left Zululand and came back after 5 years, hearing that Saduko was dying, he went to see him at his hut and all he could hear was Saduko yelling Mameena's name, he claims he could see her, and that she had been haunting him for a while. Saduko dies after seeing Mameena mocking him, and cursing at him.
Some issues with racism toward the so-called "savages" from Alan. The plot was great, loved how Mameena tried to hide her witchery throughout the story.
Summary: *spoiler alert*
Allan Quatermain travels to Zululand, to meet his friends, Umbezi a small chief, and Scowl his servant and friend. Umbezi had a wife he called the Worn-Out-Old-Cow, who despised his daughter, Mameena because she thought she was a witch. Allan grew curious and asked to know more about Mameena, which Umbezi obliged since he would like her to marry this rich white man. He told Allan that Mameena was gorgeous, she was nicknamed Child of Storm for being born on the night of a great storm. Saduko, loves Mameena and he believes she loves him back. Umbezi asked for 100 cattle and he'll think of Saduko for his daughter. Saduko speaks to Allan and asks him to go with him to steal cattle, but first, they must go to Zikali, a wizard, to see what their fate will be. They go there and he says that they shall encounter a buffalo with a cleft horn and that he will injure Allan very badly. He also warns Allan about Mameena, that she's a dangerous one and he should be careful. At night Allan, Saduko and Scowl went to the tribe and stole the cows, when suddenly a group of buffalos ambushed them and indeed a buffalo with a cleft horn injured Allan in the stomach, fighting him in a mud puddle, and then ran away. Scowl cried thinking Allan was dead, but they took him back to the tribe where he was treated and got well pretty quickly. In the hut where Allan rested, Mameena entered to take care of him, what a lovely woman she was, she was copper-skinned. They engaged in conversation and she confessed to loving Allan but started crying because she was brown-skinned and he was white, and in the culture, their blood shouldn't mix. He comforted her and she kissed him, but then she said they shall only be friends because she shouldn't stain his white blood with her black blood.
Saduko came back with the 100 cattle, only to find out Umbezi married Mameena to Masapo, a chief from another tribe since he brought 120 cattle and Mameena claimed to love him. Saduko was furious and went to Panda, the big chief of said tribe, to ask him to give Mameena to him instead, but Panda refused and gave Saduko his daughter instead, a gorgeous woman called Nandie. Allan leaves Zululand only to return a year later, he encounters Mameena who confesses to him that she does not love her husband, and loves him instead. But Allan refuses anything with Mameena since she's a married woman. He met Saduko and found out he had a baby boy with his wife Princess Nandie. They held a reunion at Saduko's house to welcome Allan, and Mameena with Masapo was there too. Masapo couldn't help but see Saduko looking at Mameena with loveable eyes, he turned to leave because he was mad and accidentally struck Nandie, making her fall back and causing the child to fall out of her arms and hitting his head on a pebble causing his head to bleed. Saduko got furious and struck Masapo, telling him to leave his house. Mameena said she will follow her husband and as expected, Saduko said he needed to have some air. Allan went out only to find both of them kissing behind a wagon. Allan went straight to his hut as if he had seen nothing.
In the morning Saduko asks Allan to hurry to his hut to help his poor little baby, whom he thinks had been bewitched by Masapo. When Allan saw the baby he knew he could do nothing, it was slowly dying by the poison he supposed. After a while, the baby died, and Saduko wanted revenge. He held a trial against Masapo. They called Zikalo to sniff out the killer, he stopped in front of Mameena and sniffed her, he smelled the scent of the poison in her hair. She took the fillet that bound her hair and the cloak she wore. Standing in front of the crowd naked. There was nothing in her person, but in Masapo however, they found a bag with powder, Masapo declared it was not poison, but instead a powder he used to clean his nails. The wizard brought a dish with milk and poured some of the powder in it, called for a dog, and let the dog eat it. The dog started to have the red rash the baby had and started foaming in the mouth, after 10 horrible minutes the poor creature died. The crowd yelled to kill him, and they did, Masapo clung to Allan and begged to help him, claiming it was Mameena, and that she was the witch, not him. But they took him away and killed him.
Saduko married Mameena and she became sisters with Nandie, but it was obvious he gave more attention to Mameena than Nandie, and that made her jealous and sad. She did not trust Mameena, because she felt she had something to do with her baby's death. They fought a lot and one-day Mameena left a letter saying she will not deal with this anymore and went off with Umbelazi, the son of Panda. Umbelazi goes to fight some tribe and dies a few days later after Mameena met him and kissed him. This was the proof they needed that she was a femme fatale. The king held a trial to convict Mameena of killing the child, leaving Saduko and running off with another man, and bewitching his son. A witness said he had seen Mameena creep into the hut of Saduko and sprinkle some powder on the baby's bed. Panda sent her off to be executed but she asks him to give her permission to kiss Allan one last time, and she does, but between their kisses, she swallowed something, which we later found out was poison given to her by Zikali. She leaped forward and died, that was the end of Mameena, the child of storm, the og femme fatale.
Allan left Zululand and came back after 5 years, hearing that Saduko was dying, he went to see him at his hut and all he could hear was Saduko yelling Mameena's name, he claims he could see her, and that she had been haunting him for a while. Saduko dies after seeing Mameena mocking him, and cursing at him.
August 31, 2022
Hija de la tempestad (Child of storm) es la segunda novela de H. Rider Haggard que sitúa a Allan Quatermain en el contexto de las guerras zulues del siglo XIX en la actual Sudáfrica.
Luchas por el poder, una belicosa mentalidad zulú, mujeres fatales, astutos hechiceros de sorprendente longevidad y un cazador blanco sobre el que pesa una suerte de maldición del destino, permitiéndole sobrevivir y tener una larga vida mientras contempla sin poder evitarlo como amigos y seres queridos abandonan este mundo, recorren las páginas de este apasionante clásico de las novelas de aventuras.
Como resulta habitual en Haggard, no recurre a estereotipar las sociedades tribales, sino a describirlas en toda su complejidad estructural y de valores morales, dando un tratamiento mucho más justo que muchos de sus contemporáneos.
No se si os pasa como a mi, que leyendo en la edad adulta presuntos libros juveniles, los disfruto incluso más que antes.
Luchas por el poder, una belicosa mentalidad zulú, mujeres fatales, astutos hechiceros de sorprendente longevidad y un cazador blanco sobre el que pesa una suerte de maldición del destino, permitiéndole sobrevivir y tener una larga vida mientras contempla sin poder evitarlo como amigos y seres queridos abandonan este mundo, recorren las páginas de este apasionante clásico de las novelas de aventuras.
Como resulta habitual en Haggard, no recurre a estereotipar las sociedades tribales, sino a describirlas en toda su complejidad estructural y de valores morales, dando un tratamiento mucho más justo que muchos de sus contemporáneos.
No se si os pasa como a mi, que leyendo en la edad adulta presuntos libros juveniles, los disfruto incluso más que antes.
January 9, 2019
Находиться рядом с Квотермейном опасно, даже гибельно. А может всё согласно авторского на то желания. Теперь Хаггард повёл речь о женщине зулусских кровей, рождённую в бурю, ставшую воплощением этого стихийного явления. Она всегда неслась вперёд, неизменно сокрушая собственное окружение, ставя целью личное благосостояние. О чём же она могла мечтать? О лучшем из возможного. Для неё, прежде всего, пределом желаний было выйти замуж за местного вождя, а после и вовсе за правителя зулусов. Как-то на её пути встал Аллан, чтобы в дальнейшем оказаться очевидцем разыгравшейся драмы.
(c) Trounin
(c) Trounin
November 11, 2022
It felt like this book has two main characters Allan Quatermain and Mameena, Mameena being the Child of Storm. We follow Allan hunting, visiting witch doctors, getting stuck in conflicts. But Mameena is the source of all events in this story and mind you the events are mostly horrifying.
Mameena made think of a character from Three Musketeers, I do not remember her, but she too was a source of all different events.
Mameena made think of a character from Three Musketeers, I do not remember her, but she too was a source of all different events.
February 7, 2019
This one is total different Quatermain story a realistic one and may be a true story,we can barely see heroic Quatermain here but perfect combination of Love,Romance and war
May 30, 2020
The Sixth book, and sequel to Marie, this is the middle book of the Trilogy, Zulu Wars. I recommend you start with Marie first.
October 4, 2020
An interesting and entertaining read.
May 9, 2021
Better than 'Marie'. More action, more drama. The story takes years since A. Q. keeps coming back to the place of the story. Another interesting tale in the life of A. Q.
January 10, 2021
The sixth book in the Allan Quatermain series. Entertaining.
April 29, 2023
Another good story of drama and adventure. This is the third Allan Quartermain story I have read as an adult. I can see a common theme of the influence of a woman in a man's life. In this case Allan did not marry her, but he and she definitely considered it. In each of these stories, spoiler, the woman dies at the end of the story, inspite of Allan's efforts to save her.
I read "She" when I was in high school and now that I think about it "She" had a similar theme.
I read "She" when I was in high school and now that I think about it "She" had a similar theme.
June 15, 2019
I would put this one at a 3.5 out of 5. It tells a vastly different kind of tale than Marie or Allan's Wife, as Allan instead takes a backseat to the main conflict going on in this one. Rather than the central character, Allan is more of a side character who gets pulled into the political strife of other interesting villains.
I did find that it drags a bit at times, as this is one of the longer novels in the series, but it is all set up leading to a big finish with lots of battles and betrayals. As the more "proper" follow-up to Marie, it almost feels out of place, as though it's an unrelated novel that just happens to have AQ in it as an aside. It's definitely worth taking a look at, however, and shows how diverse Haggard's adventure stories can be.
I did find that it drags a bit at times, as this is one of the longer novels in the series, but it is all set up leading to a big finish with lots of battles and betrayals. As the more "proper" follow-up to Marie, it almost feels out of place, as though it's an unrelated novel that just happens to have AQ in it as an aside. It's definitely worth taking a look at, however, and shows how diverse Haggard's adventure stories can be.
August 10, 2025
So glad to have re-read this wonderful novel. Haggard seems to be the only author who is able to write with any sort of authenticity about the Zulus, despite some licenses taken. I have had to cease reading some authors simply because their writing is embarrassingly incorrect. Read the earlier book, MARIE, and then this sequel, and you will not be disappointed.
August 16, 2021
I usually really enjoy the Quatermain stories, but this one didn't work for me at all. It read more like a book of Zulu politics with Quatermain tagging along. No thanks.
We discuss this series further on this episode of Howe's Things: https://youtu.be/kCkGJh4Pp8I
We discuss this series further on this episode of Howe's Things: https://youtu.be/kCkGJh4Pp8I
January 8, 2013
Brilliant - the best one yet. Really enjoyed this Zulu tale. No wonder the Quatermain stories have remained popular.
November 6, 2013
Adveturous...!
June 22, 2015
A bit too much witch doctor stuff to be as good as other Allen Quartermain adventures. Still a good read.
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