Allan Quatermain

By: H. Rider Haggard

Narrated by: Bill Homewood

Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

We have met the intrepid hunter-tracker Allan Quatermain before, in H. Rider Haggard’s marvelous King Solomon’s Mines. This time, grieving from the tragic loss of his son, Quatermain longs to return to his beloved Africa. He sets out in search of a lost white tribe, the Zu-Vendis, ruled by two beautiful sister Queens. Once again, Quatermain’s companions are the indefatigable Sir Henry Curtis and Captain Good, and the magnificent Zulu warrior Umslopogaas. The journey is incredibly dangerous, and thrillingly told.

After a fantastic underground journey by canoe, our heroes are embroiled in a bloody civil war when both queens fall in love with the irresistibly handsome Curtis.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

Public Domain (P)2012 Naxos AudioBooks

Forgotten novels

What made the experience of listening to Allan Quatermain the most enjoyable?

It made feel as if I might be proud to be part of the British Empire

Who was your favorite character and why?

Quartermain of course because he held to the repressed ideals of the time.

Which scene was your favorite?

Rescuing the Missionaries daughter from the Masai

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A man of the Empire

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Bit tedious really.

I could not help visualising a scene in the office of Haggard's publisher where the publisher is saying
"Can't you do King Solomon's Mines 2 - The Return or something like that. That I can sell."
"All the same old stereotypes?" asks Haggard
"Of course. Oh - do you think you can fit a cowardly and stupid Frenchman in there as well. Everybody likes a cowardly Frenchman. Oooh Ooooh - I know - make him a chef"
"Not a problem" says Haggard as he gets up to leave.

And that's what he did. Same old stiff upper lip nationalism. Same set piece action scenes. Same over elaborate pointless descriptions with bizzare irrelevant details which go on and on and on.

Narration carefully chosen to be as pompous as the writing. And I usually like this stuff!!!!

4 of 7 people found this review helpful

A great omega for Quartermain

What made the experience of listening to Allan Quatermain the most enjoyable?

its an all around pleaser

What did you like best about this story?

Allan's line about trees, if I'm honest

What about Bill Homewood’s performance did you like?

He's emotes well and is diverse; but I personally didn't like his choice of voices for Curtis and Good

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

At the end, that's all I'll say

Any additional comments?

A ton of introspection; it makes you think... DEEP!

Tedhhchhc

Stuffed hip-hop cyber hubby cycle by Jimmy zest vigil catch haiku fest hook cub hi go chin eh to hmm ssh eek

0 of 5 people found this review helpful

Bit of a blood bath

Not for the faint hearted or very young, as there are some quite graphic descriptions of animals being hunted or dying, and plenty of war. A good old fashioned romping adventure however, but you must remember it was written in a time when the Zulu etc were 'savages' to the English.

Narrator is very good, even managed to add the clicking noises to the Zulu words. I would like to see how they were written. And his voices for different characters and accents were different and believable. If you know and love this book already, this is a good version, if you've never read the story, check it will be your sort of read before buying!

I liked it very much, but there were some passages which seemed to drag, such as lengthy descriptions of the country, its peoples, the mode of government, dress etc. would have found this more relevant if describing a place that actually exists rather than made up!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Brilliant Should be made into a BBC Dramatisation

Allan Quatermain, aloong with King Solomon's Mines are two of my top 10 best novels. This audio book is great and Bill Homewood does a great job creating the exciting atmosphere the story generates. The BBC made a dramatisation of King Solomon's Mines with Tim McInnenry and loads of great actors that make it absolutely amazing to listen to! My career requires me to drive many hours during the week, and I have lost count how many times I have listened and got lost in it.

As far as the sequel "Allan Quatermain" goes, I'd say it's on a par with K.S.M.'s in terms of story line - if anyone from the BBC is reading this who is involved in producing the audio dramatisations then PLEASE make this into your next project! Get all the original main cast from the K.S.M.'s (Quatermain, Sir Henry & Cptn Good) and do as good a job with this as you did first time round!

HARD GOING

Not one of Haggards most inspiring novels. The story is a bit thin for the length of the book. The reader invokes a difficult range of voices but without the drama to maintain the listeners attention listening becomes a bit tedious.

Still a cracking listen and read!

What made the experience of listening to Allan Quatermain the most enjoyable?

I first read this about 50 years ago and I found it ticked all the boxes for adventure and excitement, now some of Haggard's views might make readers cringe with its non-PC, but what a great old fashioned adventure.

What other book might you compare Allan Quatermain to, and why?

King Soloman's Mines or any books by Raphael Sabatini. Slightly old fashioned but such adventure. The reader gives many of the characters forboding menace and belief. Certainly not a character to cross!

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The battle scene when the Masai kidnapped the missionary's daughter. The reader gives Umslopogas the zulu such menace and confidence in victory. I loved the comment when on consideration he told Quatermein "I kill but do not murder. I kill in a fair fight, face to face!"

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I found Allan Quatermain very compelling and excellent company in the car and on some long rambling dog walks.

Any additional comments?

Look for many of the unintended humourous comments in the narration.