Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Synopsis
<p><i>King Solomon’s Mines</i> was published in September 1885, becoming an immediate best seller by tapping into people’s excitement for the unknown: in this case, the unexplored regions of Africa.</p> <p><a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/h-rider-haggard">Haggard</a> wrote the novel in a very short period, between six and sixteen months, on a bet with his brother to try to match <a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/robert-louis-stevenson">Robert Louis Stevenson’s</a> <a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/robert-louis-stevenson/treasure-island"><i>Treasure Island</i></a>. In the process he created a new literary genre known as the “Lost World” genre, which would later influence other writers like <a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/arthur-conan-doyle">Arthur Conan Doyle</a> and <a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/h-p-lovecraft"><abbr>H. P.</abbr> Lovecraft</a>.</p> <p>The book tells the tale of Allan Quatermain, an adventurer and hunter, who is approached by Sir Henry Curtis and Captain Good to help them find Curtis’ lost brother, who went missing while trying to find the fabled King Solomon’s Mines.</p> <p>This book has spawned multiple adaptations in the form of movies, comics, and TV shows.</p>
Is King Solomon's Mines appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 10 and up.
Classic adventure with colonial-era attitudes and moderate action violence including battles and deaths. Contains period-typical racist language and stereotypes about African peoples that require historical context discussion.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include death, violence, and colonialism (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Kids who love treasure hunts and dangerous expeditions into uncharted territories will enjoy this thrilling quest for legendary diamond mines.