She : A History of Adventure (Modern Library Classics)

Rating:
Summary: Five Stars for the Modern Library edition, but
Review: as to the Barnes & Noble edition, one might question the unjustifiable decision to eliminate the footnotes, which are a crucial part of Haggard's text and his illusion that the book is "real life."

Rating:
Summary: The-Book-That-Must-Be-Read
Review: I've heard about this novel for years, but never got around to
reading it. I'm sorry I missed it in my early teens, which would
have probably been the best age to read it. Even as an adult, I
find it an unforgettable read. A 2000-year-old woman, waiting
for the rebirth of the lover she had slain...some of the images
stay forever. What's a hot-pot? You'll always remember. Mummies
as torches, twitching embalmed corpses, the Fire of Eternal
Life. Haggard wrote in an eloquent style not seen today. This
is more than an adventure novel; it covers love, life, religion. I can see why it was a best-seller when it was first published.
It's always going to be read.

Rating:
Summary: The nature of woman revealed
Review: When it comes to women H. Rider Haggard has the inside track as revealed in this "Show and tell" novel. We see the workings and wonders of the nineteenth century mind. You may also find some interesting attitudes towards the other people in Holly's crew.
I have read some different versions of the book and found the Barns & Noble books New York (ISBN 0760752400) to have the best introduction (by Clifton Ganyard) that falls just short of Cliff's Notes in explaining Haggard's background and writings. The illustrations are the same as in the Modern Library version but are clearer and larger. You get to see the writing on a potshard that I have not taken the time to see if it is a real language. Of all the versions I prefer most the recording with narrator Fred Williams; at first he seems to be monotone and out of breath. Then as he approaches the adventure he picks up a bit. By the time he comes to the cliff hanger he is huffing and puffing. He actually has the sound and feel of some old person recalling a long past adventure.
Holly is visited by his dying friend in the middle of the night. He is sworn to secrecy and given a mysterious chest to hold onto and asked to take charge of the friend's son (Leo). When the time came to open the chest and find the contents, the adventure began. I will not relate the story as it is the unfolding that is a good part of the mystery. However if you are expecting an adventure story It is there but there is much more with philosophical discussions of science and society.
The story is over way too soon so be sure to get the next book "
Ayesha: The return of She."