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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “This is the first novel I have read as a young girl, I've read it over and over again a lot of times, I bought a new edition because mine was worn out, I love it!! I always wonder why didn't they make it into a movie (A new adaption I mean)?!? It's the best fantasy novel ever!!!” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“H. Rider Haggard is most known for King Solomon's Mines, but She is a close second. Haggard's own lost love (one Mary Elizabeth Jackson, aka "Lilly") seems to play a huge part in his writing of the powerful, amazingly beautiful She-who-must-be-obeyed, also known as She, also known as Ayesha. Haggard, knowing very little outside of Britain except for Africa, sets his story in the darkness of Africa to produce a thrillingly terrifying and believable set of circumstances that our beloved narrator, Holly, his adopted son, Leo, and Leo's caretaker, Job, set out to adventure.
Diane F wrote this review 5 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The story begins with legend and mystery, delivered upon the wings of a potsherd and generational lineage to which Leo Vincey is inextricably interwoven. It demands that Leo travel into Africa to discover that which is other relatives could not, or failed to accomplish. And of course, the unexplainable "She" is at the forefront of the mystery: a strange, yet beautiful woman who can avoid death, is thousands of years old, and rules over a civilization of a very uncivilized character.
Written in the late 1800s by Haggard, there was a rampant curiosity for adventure and the unknown. Most people had never traveled outside of Britain and so, to be transported on the wings of fiction to a very tangible place was an addictive drug. What's more is that Haggard has an ability to seamlessly mesh truth with fiction to make it more believable. For example, he says, as the author, that what he is about to recount was given to him through a direct correspondence with Holly, who deemed it worthy of publication if Haggard saw fit. Holly, as narrator but clearly a manifestation of Haggard's mind, compares widths and heights to commonplace icons in Britian, making it easier to find scope and believability throughout the entire novel.
Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it), in today's age, Haggard's writing is very controversial. Racism and Sexism play a very heavy hand in the She tale. For example, Ayesha is white, and so are the travelers, and they are both rather revered while the black natives are deemed barbaric, trivial, and even so far as stupid. All of the main characters are strong white people, with the exception of Job which we can forgive because of his traditional upbringing in England. Such suggestions that whites would "taste" better to the African mosquitoes suggest that whites are superior even down to heir blood. It's clear that Haggard, despite his insurance claims that it's just a different style of CULTURE down in Africa that makes them that way, and Haggard's audience are still very racist. The one exception is Billali, an old man that's part of the Amahaggar (the indigenous) tribe who is calm, relaxed, and friendly as opposed to openly aggressive or passively hostile like the rest of the group.
It doesn't stop there. Feminism has not a smear of ink in this book. I would even argue that the sexism that Haggard portrays (perhaps because of his own lost love, and Holly's as well) is worse than the racism portions. Ayesha is at the forefront of the 'ism'. To not give anything away, Ayesha's last scene in the novel is horrendously sexist to the point that a reverse Darwin's evolutionary theory occurs. Throughout the story, however, she demonstrates her inability to rule and her dependability to decide fates and outcomes through her emotions and not logical reasoning. More often than not the female brain is akin to something "disordered" and difficult to understand. Haggard constantly refers to females as the "fairer sex" which suggest a heap of male dominance over females. Ayesha is carefree about death and uses her beauty to manipulate men. Clearly, in this context, a woman would be incapable of ever ruling over vast numbers of people, especially where men are concerned, that they must be kept beneath men so that fair judgment and proper ruling can ensue. The list could continue, but that's for your own time and effort with this book.
In short, it's a great book to pull elements of racism and sexism from and to prove the hubris-like affliction that England was tainted with during the eras of their rule upon the world. However, there are some fantastic things that also came of this story. Most notably, influence on later stories and even so much as motion pictures. To quickly name a few, there was a heavy influence upon Tolkien, who shaped Galadriel (and even Shelob) from the powerful, beautiful, yet profoundly dangerous image of Ayesha. Another is the influence towards the Indiana Jones movies, who also borrowed from King Solomon's Mines. Haggard's underground tunnels, lost relics, ancient magics, and conclusive endings that seal off the curious item(s) from ever being touched again is nearly equal in the storytelling of our favorite hat-bearing archeologist.
All in all, the amazing depth of this story is profound, and it's an easy read, too! It's very accessible, but you can go to great lengths to draw out the hidden meanings and obvious 'isms' from the text on more than one occasion. A great story, laden with meaning, and worth every second of your time.”
“A father goes to a friend with a mystery and the date of his death. He bequeaths his son and requests that he be told of the mystery on his 18th birthday. Really enjoyed reading this, it was a very different from a lot of stories that I have read. The mysticism of Africa is really brought to life and embodied through the beautiful 'She'.”
Sherri L wrote this review Monday, April 2, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ Easily, Haggard's best. The story is of two people who reach the interiors of Africa and meet "She"- one who must be obeyed. ”
Saranga S wrote this review Thursday, December 8, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Amanda L said: 3 stars
1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die Shelf wrote this review Tuesday, November 1, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Ludwig Holly and Leo, his best friend's son who he adopted, journey to Africa in an attempt to determine if there's any truth in the story Leo's father told on hid deathbed about his family's history. They discover a savage tribe of people who are ruled by "She-who-must-be-obeyed," the most beautiful (and seemingly immortal) woman ever. A classic adventure novel.
Parts of this book really sucked me in, but other parts were just boring. I liked it better than the other Haggard novel that I've read (Cleopatra), but it was just ok.”
“The story is set up to be viewed as the factual tale of the adventures of Holly and Leo as they search for the mysterious island of She, the women who killed Leo's ancestor and is said to live forever.
Ovid wrote this review Thursday, October 20, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This started out a little slow, but the narrative explored some interesting topics in a very engaging and lyrical fashion.
The major theme in this work is death and is peppered with images of the supernatural, philosophy, and ideas of love.”
“"She" is an intertwining of 19th and 20th century ethnographic and adventure style writing. And like early ethnographers, this author offers thick, extensive descriptions of "foreign" worlds. And also like early ethnographers, there's an abundance of racist and misogynistic worldviews woven throughout this book. Still, if modern readers can place "She" in its period, then they will find a touch of wisdom, intrigue and adventure in the story. In fact, at times, I sensed the author was even calling into question the very racism and misogyny highlighted by the characters. ”
Kelly A wrote this review Monday, October 17, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Ludwig Holly and Leo, his best friend's son who he adopted, journey to Africa in an attempt to determine if there's any truth in the story Leo's father told on hid deathbed about his family's history. They discover a savage tribe of people who are ruled by "She-who-must-be-obeyed," the most beautiful (and seemingly immortal) woman ever. A classic adventure novel.
Amanda L wrote this review Wednesday, October 12, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Parts of this book really sucked me in, but other parts were just boring. I liked it better than the other Haggard novel that I've read (Cleopatra), but it was just ok.”
“4.5 STARS A rip roaring adventures - if you like the Lost World by Doyle or Indian Jones you will love this novel!”
Kris wrote this review Thursday, November 3, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Another interesting adventure from H. Rider Haggard. It was especially interesting noting parts that clearly influenced writers like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and John Mortimer.”
Jerseygirl / Mrs. Constance (Oodles) Oxford-Whapdoodle, B.C., D.C. wrote this review Tuesday, August 30, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
