Dated but still influential

What made the experience of listening to King Solomon's Mines the most enjoyable?

Toby Stephens' reading. I tried reading this book in my teens (in the 1980s) but ground to a halt through boredom. I tried again in 2013 but was suffering from depression and couldn't finish any book. I nearly gave up on the audio last week, but persisted, thanks to Stephens' enthusiasm, diversity of voices for the characters, and the fact that it does get interesting again about halfway through.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Haggard's respect for other cultures. Don't get me wrong, he is a product of his time, and there are some "let's laugh at the gullible [black people]" moments. By way of example, the hoary old chestnut of the convenient eclipse gets a look in here (forgivable as it has been used this way in real life). Let's hope a few black astronomers get to laugh at Haggard for thinking the darkness lasts a full hour, or for thinking that there will be moonlight on the night after a total solar eclipse. The book also repeats an unquestioned maxim that black and white couples cannot marry.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The exploration of the actual mines. Anyone who has played Tomb Raider is going to feel at home! But it's more the journey than particular scenes.
There are a number of scenes which were probably much better received in 1885 than in 2015, notably the half-shaven Good scene (which was apparently blatant plagiarism).

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. As I say, I had to force myself to continue. A fairly early scene, in which our heroes massacre a herd of elephants, is not great for character identification.

Any additional comments?

If you're interested in the Lost World genre, it's good to get this one under your belt, as it was the first.

4 people found this helpful

An African adventure

Chose this audiobook as I had never read the original story. A simple adventure that is a little dated now but still worth listening to. Nicely narrated by Toby Stephens.

4 people found this helpful

King Solomon's Mines

Excellent listening. Brought back memories of reading the book many years ago. Gripping story that kept my interest throughout.

3 people found this helpful

Great African Adventure Story Of Its Time.....

What did you like most about King Solomon's Mines?

Apparently Africa was largely undiscovered at the time of this books publication, so this novel captured the imagination of the public. It is a fantastic African adventure story, perhaps written for buys. There is much travel and adventure, hunting of large game and war with warriors. Mystical tribes, black magic and Indiana Jones style exploration of ancient mines.

Not for the faint hearted, scenes of hunting and war are graphically explained.

By today's standards it also has more than its fair share of racism and sexism.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I quite liked the real Villian of the story, the mother of all witch doctors, Gagool. She adds a certain interest to the story by her total cruelty.

What about Toby Stephens’s performance did you like?

Toby Stephens performs this brilliantly. The middle of the book got a bit tedious at times and he kept me engaged.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Well I drove home listening to the last two hours and got so engrossed I missed my junction turn off on the motorway! The start and ending is brilliant, the middle is not so great but stick with it, the end is well worth the wait.

Any additional comments?

Read and enjoy keeping its historical context and time in mind.

2 people found this helpful

Treasure indeed

Where does King Solomon's Mines rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

About 3rd

Who was your favorite character and why?

Quartermain , He had real hopes aspirations and weakness

Which character – as performed by Toby Stephens – was your favourite?

Sir Henry Curtis but all were excellent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I will when I get time but it will be played often as I love this kind of adventure

Any additional comments?

This was so well done and well read ,Toby Stephens voice was just right and I can thoroughly
recommend the recording ,You could almost smell the pipe tobacco, hear the echo of the caves and see the massed ranks battling it out.

2 people found this helpful

OF ITS TIME

Not very politically correct but is a 'ripping yarn'. More blood than a blood bank but still a good tale.

4 people found this helpful

So,so and dated...

Bought for my husband who usually enjoys a good ripping yarn but sadly this failed to hold his attention. Partly because we forgot when it was written and the descriptive paragraphs of the elephant hunt. He has enjoyed other novels written by this author and he would listen to other books narrated by Toby Stephens.

1 person found this helpful

Non PC but ......

I read this as a child and had never thought of the audiobook. However, I was at a loose end and bingo. I had forgotten that not only is this a "ripping adventure" but its actually very amusing, I really enjoyed the picture of Good half shaven, false teeth and no trousers, and well written. OK, non-PC in some of the words and attitudes, but if you accept it as of its time then you can sit back and enjoy. Toby Stephens does it full credit, although at one point one of the African characters does sound a little Asian to my ears, but he gets it back on track pretty quickly. All in all, if you can suspend your disbelief then you will have a good time.

3 people found this helpful

Not what I was expecting, and that's no bad thing

Was interested to read the apparent first African adventure story and given film characterisations of Quartermain, I assumed a one dimensional tough talking, hero who does whatever it takes to get the gold and the girl. I'm pleased he reminds me more of the old drunken Barrister from 'The Fast Show', wondering how the devil he reluctantly ended up with frightful adventures, exotic beasts and darned foreigners. Another narrator may have gone for the harder edge, but lost the British humour and absurdity. Felt the story itself sagged in the middle but glad I have read it.

Good story, very well told

Thoroughly enjoyable old school British adventure, really enjoyed the narrator's style. Surprisingly there wasn't much of it about the mines! Thought would be a bit more Indian Jones-y :) but still good.