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tiff_reads_ 's review for:
She: A History of Adventure
by H. Rider Haggard
Although I had heard relatively little of Haggard's She, it's certainly a novel that's had a great deal of impact on the cinema (I kept thinking of Indiana Jones as I read it) and on later fantasy novels (Lord of the Rings, Narnia, possibly Harry Potter).
Though the novel has those typically difficult Victorian qualities--being both racist and sexist--I absolutely loved it. She, a two thousand year old priestess of Isis, is the center of the action. Although her power and ambition is fascinating, what I think the novel portrays so well is the prevalence of masculine anxiety in Victorian England. Holly, the main narrator, notes his ward Leo Vincey's state when She (also called Ayesha, or "She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed") pushs him down: "He went staggering back towards me...utterly cowed, as if all the manhood had been taken out of him." The rise of woman as a threat to masculinity was a real danger in the minds of the Victorian audience--but I'm afraid I laughed anyway.
Regardless of Haggard's presentation of She as a goddess ultimately impotent without her "one true love," the novel is simply fascinating for its feminist, post-colonial, and psychological themes. Themes and critial theories aside, however, the novel is also a fast-paced, compelling narrative, complete with cannabalism, human torches, and immortality. Simply a great read on so many different levels.
Though the novel has those typically difficult Victorian qualities--being both racist and sexist--I absolutely loved it. She, a two thousand year old priestess of Isis, is the center of the action. Although her power and ambition is fascinating, what I think the novel portrays so well is the prevalence of masculine anxiety in Victorian England. Holly, the main narrator, notes his ward Leo Vincey's state when She (also called Ayesha, or "She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed") pushs him down: "He went staggering back towards me...utterly cowed, as if all the manhood had been taken out of him." The rise of woman as a threat to masculinity was a real danger in the minds of the Victorian audience--but I'm afraid I laughed anyway.
Regardless of Haggard's presentation of She as a goddess ultimately impotent without her "one true love," the novel is simply fascinating for its feminist, post-colonial, and psychological themes. Themes and critial theories aside, however, the novel is also a fast-paced, compelling narrative, complete with cannabalism, human torches, and immortality. Simply a great read on so many different levels.