Lovers of "She" beware. This follow-up to the classic adventure novel stretches the implausibilities of the original beyond the "suspension of disbelief" barrier, and stretches your patience as well. Leo and Holly follow clues to the snowy reaches of central Asia in search of a reincarnated Ayesha. You will feel just as tired as them as you slog your way through this book. Don't expect the same wonderful experience you received from reading "She." It has similar, but somehow tiresome, adventures laid out. Reread "She" instead.
This is the sequel to "She," which Haggard published in 1905, 18 years after the first book.
Although the title character seemed pretty definitively dead after the first book, still, she had vowed to return with her dying words, and, since then the characters of the beautiful young Leo and his mentor Dr. Horace Holly, have been wandering through Asia, seeking spiritual enlightenment, knowledge - and the return of that supernaturally beautiful immortal woman.
It wouldn't be much of a story if she didn't come back in some form - and, of course, she does.
The book is relatively free of the overtly offensive stereotypes and racial issues that were rather obtrusive in the first book, although it is still decidedly non-feminist, from a modern perspective - but in my perception, the Buddhist monks of "Ayesha" get a fairer (and more respectful) shake than the African cannibals of "She."
Overall, an entertaining adventure story, mixed with a deal of philosophy that ranges from interesting to annoying, depending...
Still, definitely worth reading... it was funny, because although some of the writing in this book did feel dated at times, it reminded me more of adventure-fantasy from the 70's than something more than half a century older.
Although the title character seemed pretty definitively dead after the first book, still, she had vowed to return with her dying words, and, since then the characters of the beautiful young Leo and his mentor Dr. Horace Holly, have been wandering through Asia, seeking spiritual enlightenment, knowledge - and the return of that supernaturally beautiful immortal woman.
It wouldn't be much of a story if she didn't come back in some form - and, of course, she does.
The book is relatively free of the overtly offensive stereotypes and racial issues that were rather obtrusive in the first book, although it is still decidedly non-feminist, from a modern perspective - but in my perception, the Buddhist monks of "Ayesha" get a fairer (and more respectful) shake than the African cannibals of "She."
Overall, an entertaining adventure story, mixed with a deal of philosophy that ranges from interesting to annoying, depending...
Still, definitely worth reading... it was funny, because although some of the writing in this book did feel dated at times, it reminded me more of adventure-fantasy from the 70's than something more than half a century older.
