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2000ace 's review for:
She: A History of Adventure
by H. Rider Haggard
I read H. Rider Haggard for the sheer fun of his stories, and it would be hard to out-do this one. Ayesha, the ruler of a dark, mysterious kingdom, is a female character who represents (among other things) the destroyer side of the female psyche. Every woman who reads this book will find herself identifying with Ayesha at some point in the story. Along with the ability to nurture new life, woman is capable of implacable ferocity. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," is more than an adage, as Ayesha amply demonstrates.
This novel is significant because it was the first to use the idea of explorers stumbling across a lost world. This format became popular with other Victorian novelists, with good effect. Also, Ayesha is one of the most powerful female protagonists anywhere. The title is short for "She Who Must Be Obeyed," the honorific given to Ayesha by the people over whom she ruled. Although this story has been lampooned many times, including fictional character Horace Rumpole adopting She Who Must Be Obeyed to describe his wife Hilda, it still stands as a classic Victorian fantasy and adventure tale. It would also make a great beach book!
This novel is significant because it was the first to use the idea of explorers stumbling across a lost world. This format became popular with other Victorian novelists, with good effect. Also, Ayesha is one of the most powerful female protagonists anywhere. The title is short for "She Who Must Be Obeyed," the honorific given to Ayesha by the people over whom she ruled. Although this story has been lampooned many times, including fictional character Horace Rumpole adopting She Who Must Be Obeyed to describe his wife Hilda, it still stands as a classic Victorian fantasy and adventure tale. It would also make a great beach book!