King Solomon’s Mines
By H. Rider Haggard
Genre: Action
Publication: 1885
Number of Pages: 292, Puffin Edition
Plot:
Allan Quartermain, a hunter and trader in South Africa, meets Sir Henry Curtis and Captain Good. Sir Henry tells him that he had a dispute with his brother over some land. In his anger, Sir Henry refused to give any land to his brother. His brother went to Africa in search of fortune and went missing. Sir Henry wants to find his brother with the help of Allan. Allan knows the surrounding country well and agrees to help them.
The trio, and their servants Khiva, Ventovogel and Umbopa, journey across deserts and mountains in Africa. They come to a land cut off from the rest of the world. The land is ruled by the evil king Twala and equally evil with doctress Gagool. The king teats the people of the land badly and kills them as sacrifices.
The trio discover Umbopa’s background. This leads to a war between Twala’s army and the trio and their supporters. After the war, the trio force Gagool to take them to the diamond mines, a cave filled with diamonds.They think that the diamonds will make them rich men. However, all previous visitors to the mines have never returned…
Recommendation:
The language and behaviour is an indicator how old fashioned the book is. I would not recommend this book as I did not like the language and gory descriptions of war.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Review of the Book "Three Men In A Boat"
Thee Men In A Boat
By Jerome K Jerome
Genre: Humour
Publication: 1889. Prion Edition 1999
Number of Pages: 245, Prion Edition
Plot:
Three friends – George, Harris and Jerome decide that they are suffering from many diseases and feel tired and overworked. They conclude that they need to get away from the city. George suggests a restful week on the river. So they make arrangements for a boating trip.
While they are boating, they realise that camping out, rowing, sculling and various other outdoor activities are not their cup of tea. While on the trip, they have hilarious experiences and adventures. In the end, they discover that their trip was not like they thought it would be.
Setting:
The story is set in Victorian times. It is set in South England, around London.
Highlights:
I liked the book because the characters had a lack of common sense and got themselves into awkward situations.
Recommendation:
While the descriptions of scenery and Mother Nature and God are not captivating, the narratives and fixes they get themselves into are definitely worth a reread. I would recommend the book to those who like subtle humour.
By Jerome K Jerome
Genre: Humour
Publication: 1889. Prion Edition 1999
Number of Pages: 245, Prion Edition
Plot:
Three friends – George, Harris and Jerome decide that they are suffering from many diseases and feel tired and overworked. They conclude that they need to get away from the city. George suggests a restful week on the river. So they make arrangements for a boating trip.
While they are boating, they realise that camping out, rowing, sculling and various other outdoor activities are not their cup of tea. While on the trip, they have hilarious experiences and adventures. In the end, they discover that their trip was not like they thought it would be.
Setting:
The story is set in Victorian times. It is set in South England, around London.
Highlights:
I liked the book because the characters had a lack of common sense and got themselves into awkward situations.
Recommendation:
While the descriptions of scenery and Mother Nature and God are not captivating, the narratives and fixes they get themselves into are definitely worth a reread. I would recommend the book to those who like subtle humour.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Review of the book "Swiss Family Robinson"
Swiss Family Robinson
By Johann Wyss
Genre: Action / Adventure
No. of pages: 344 (Grosset and Dunlap Edition)
Plot
A Swiss family decides to live in a colony abroad. Unfortunately for them, the ship carrying them runs into a storm. The ship gets wrecked and everyone except the family escapes in life boats.
The family makes a vessel out of wood and sails to to the nearby island. Over the course of the next few days, they bring livestock, seeds and hardware from the wreck. The family builds three houses for themselves. They live in a tree-house in summer and dwell in a cave in winter. They explore the island and discover new plants and berries that are useful. They are very successful in cultivating their own food. They also have many encounters with wild animals and manage to domesticate some.
Over time, the family comes to love the island and name in New Switzerland. They also discover another person shipwrecked on the island.
One day, a ship arrives and suddenly the family is faced with a difficult decision: to leave the island and return to civilisation or to stay on.
Setting
The story is set at sea and on New Switzerland, a tropical island.
Recommendation
Some parts of the book were dull and did not bear relevance to the story, while others are re-readable. I would recommend this book for people who like slow adventure and those who like biology and science.
By Johann Wyss
Genre: Action / Adventure
No. of pages: 344 (Grosset and Dunlap Edition)
Plot
A Swiss family decides to live in a colony abroad. Unfortunately for them, the ship carrying them runs into a storm. The ship gets wrecked and everyone except the family escapes in life boats.
The family makes a vessel out of wood and sails to to the nearby island. Over the course of the next few days, they bring livestock, seeds and hardware from the wreck. The family builds three houses for themselves. They live in a tree-house in summer and dwell in a cave in winter. They explore the island and discover new plants and berries that are useful. They are very successful in cultivating their own food. They also have many encounters with wild animals and manage to domesticate some.
Over time, the family comes to love the island and name in New Switzerland. They also discover another person shipwrecked on the island.
One day, a ship arrives and suddenly the family is faced with a difficult decision: to leave the island and return to civilisation or to stay on.
Setting
The story is set at sea and on New Switzerland, a tropical island.
Recommendation
Some parts of the book were dull and did not bear relevance to the story, while others are re-readable. I would recommend this book for people who like slow adventure and those who like biology and science.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Review of the book "Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief"
Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief
By Rick Riodan
Genre: Fantasy
Publication: 2005
Number of Pages: 375, Puffin Edition
Plot
The story starts when twelve year old Percy Jackson vaporizes his math
teacher on a school trip. But more trouble is in store for Percy when
he and his mother get attacked by a monster while on vacation.
His mother takes Percy to a camp for half bloods. In the camp, Percy
realizes he is a half God. Poseidon, God of the sea, claims Percy as
his son. But then Zeus, God of the sky, accuses Poseidon of using
Percy to steal his lightning bolt. Chiron, the camp's activities
director, sends Percy and his two friends Annabeth and Grover to
recover the bolt from Hades, God of the underworld, who is through to
have stolen the bolt.
While traveling to the underworld, they encounter monsters, strange
casinos and a cafe owner who turns people into statues. They have
limited time to complete their quest, failing which a war of the Gods
could break out.
Setting
The story is set in the USA and fictional places like Olympus,
Halfblood Hill and the Underworld. It is set in modern times.
Recommendation
The book was unputdownable. There are parts that are worth rereading.
I recommend this book for those who like fast paced, adventurous and
mysterious books. I also recommend it to people who like a light,
casual style of writing. People who like Greek mythology will enjoy
this book too. Children in the age group 10 to 15 years are likely to
enjoy this book.
By Rick Riodan
Genre: Fantasy
Publication: 2005
Number of Pages: 375, Puffin Edition
Plot
The story starts when twelve year old Percy Jackson vaporizes his math
teacher on a school trip. But more trouble is in store for Percy when
he and his mother get attacked by a monster while on vacation.
His mother takes Percy to a camp for half bloods. In the camp, Percy
realizes he is a half God. Poseidon, God of the sea, claims Percy as
his son. But then Zeus, God of the sky, accuses Poseidon of using
Percy to steal his lightning bolt. Chiron, the camp's activities
director, sends Percy and his two friends Annabeth and Grover to
recover the bolt from Hades, God of the underworld, who is through to
have stolen the bolt.
While traveling to the underworld, they encounter monsters, strange
casinos and a cafe owner who turns people into statues. They have
limited time to complete their quest, failing which a war of the Gods
could break out.
Setting
The story is set in the USA and fictional places like Olympus,
Halfblood Hill and the Underworld. It is set in modern times.
Recommendation
The book was unputdownable. There are parts that are worth rereading.
I recommend this book for those who like fast paced, adventurous and
mysterious books. I also recommend it to people who like a light,
casual style of writing. People who like Greek mythology will enjoy
this book too. Children in the age group 10 to 15 years are likely to
enjoy this book.
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