Book Review: King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard

‘King Solomon’s Mines’ is certainly a dream book for a growing kid. Full of adventures and mysteries just like movies. It got all the ingredients – powerful characters, mysterious Zulu people, an antique land, impassable desert, and mountains that demand hardship to cross them. And at the end lies a glorious treasure.

Three people, less on imperialism instinct, set on an expedition; one of them is just interested to find his lost brother who had gone missing in an attempt to make fortune from King Solomon’s diamond Mines, while the other two are out to make fortune. The novel reflects imperialism, African culture in the form of Kukuanaland, value of knowledge, virtues of bravery, race relations, greed and materialism, the hunger for power and the victory of good over devil.

Throughout the novel, the characters travel a lot and come across number of difficulties – that keeps the book a riveting read. Their route guide is a map drawn by a Portuguese trader, Jose da Silvestra, who died three hundred years ago. To reach their destination they win over scorching heat, walk miles and miles at nights, struggle for water and survival, encounter strange but timid Zulu tribe people, fight with the cruel king – Twala and Gagool a witch of Kukuanaland, and also get confined in the cave full of diamonds and jewels. But somehow, using their knowledge of science and hunting experience they come out and set back on their route home through a less difficult route. En route they meet a lost person, the lost brother of one of them, and his servant.

Over all, it’s a flawless novel. Full of action and twists. People of all ages can enjoy this great work. One of the masterpieces in English language by H. Rider Haggard.

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