Long Odds

Name: Long Odds
Author: H. Rider Haggard

By H. Rider Haggard

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Adventure

About This Book

A hunter recounts a hazardous African venture in which he travels into fever-haunted bush to trade for ivory, encounters deserted homesteads, and finds families felled by disease. He explores a silent kraal, rescues a nearly dead elder, and measures the grim practicalities of survival amid heat, mist, and decay. The narrative alternates vivid travel episodes with reflective observances about loneliness, mortality, and the toll of frontier life. The account closes with the narrator noting the teller's restless ambition and an unresolved departure on a subsequent, more perilous search.

About the Author

H. Rider Haggard

H. Rider Haggard was a British author and adventurer, best known for his pioneering works in the genre of adventure fiction. His most famous novel, "King Solomon's Mines," published in 1885, is often credited with establishing the template for the modern adventure story. Haggard's writing frequently explores themes of exploration and colonialism, particularly in Africa, where he spent significant time. His characters often embark on perilous journeys, facing both physical and moral challenges. In addition to his adventure novels, Haggard wrote historical fiction and essays, contributing to the literary heritage of the late 19th century. His works, such as "Allan Quatermain" and "She," remain influential in the adventure genre.