Audiobook · read by volunteers
Ayesha, the Return of She
H. Rider Haggard (1856–1925)
Read by fetchboi40369, Graham Redman, Lars Rolander (1942-2016), FirstKnight, Kristine Bekere, Jennie Hughes · 25 chapters · 13 h 01
About the book
Sixteen years have passed since Horace Holly and Leo Vincey last saw the mysterious queen Ayesha, and they have never stopped searching for her. Their quest takes them across the world, through avalanches, over glaciers and into the path of savage death-hounds, until they reach the remote kingdom of Kaloon. There, at the court, they find a land of strange customs and dangerous intrigue, and they learn that the object of their search may be closer than they dare to hope. H. Rider Haggard continues the story of She with vivid scenery, exotic ruins and a sense of mystery. The novel is rich in atmosphere and romance, and it is a satisfying sequel for anyone who loved the first book. A fine sequel for anyone who has already met Ayesha, and a good tale of exploration for anyone who has not.
Introduction
Henry Rider Haggard, born in 1856 and died in 1925, spent several years as a young man in southern Africa, working as an official in the colonial service. He drew on these experiences when he wrote King Solomon’s Mines in 1885, the book that made him famous and established the genre of the lost-world adventure. His next big success was She, published in 1887, which tells of a hidden city in Africa and its immortal queen.
Ayesha, the Return of She, appeared in 1905, eighteen years after She, as its sequel. It takes the story to the mountains of Central Asia, a setting that gave Haggard scope for dramatic landscapes and exotic scenes. The novel keeps the style of the first: a narrator who looks back on extraordinary events, a mixture of philosophy and adventure, and a heroine whose power and beauty remain a mystery.
This recording has twenty-five sections and runs for about thirteen hours. It is read by six LibriVox volunteers, who share the narration. If you have read She, this is a natural next step; if you have not, you can still enjoy it, though it is best to start with the first book. Both books remain among the most influential adventure stories of the Victorian age.
The story is full of dramatic episodes, from mountain crossings to a mysterious court, and Haggard enjoys describing the strange customs of the places his travellers visit. It has the energy of a classic adventure, but also a more reflective side, in its thoughts on love, loyalty and destiny. A rewarding companion for a long listening spell.
Public domain
H. Rider Haggard died in 1925: the work is in the public domain in Switzerland, more than 70 years after the author’s death.
The LibriVox volunteers dedicated this recording to the public domain.
Sources : LibriVox page · Files at the Internet Archive · Original text