An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List
332: King Solomon's Mines
May 15, 2023
Description
Books Referenced
Author: Henry Ryder Haggard
Context:
Main subject of the episode - described as 'one of the best-selling novels of the Victorian age' published in 1885
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Context:
Mentioned as published in 1883, described as a tremendous hit that inspired Haggard to write King Solomon's Mines after a bet with his brother
Author: Hartley
Context:
Mentioned as 'Hartley's great novel' - the setting Brandon Hall was based on Ryder Haggard's childhood home
Author: Henry Ryder Haggard
Context:
Mentioned as a sequel to King Solomon's Mines that Haggard wrote quickly after his first success
Author: Henry Ryder Haggard
Context:
Described as another bestseller by Haggard published in 1887, called 'another absolutely foundational text in our kind of popular imagination'
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Context:
Mentioned in comparison to King Solomon's Mines - Tolkien was described as 'a massive fan of Haggard' and similarities in quest structure noted
Author: Joseph Conrad
Context:
Referenced when discussing the idea of blank spaces on maps and Africa as 'the heart of darkness'
Author: Conan Doyle
Context:
Mentioned as being influenced by the tradition established by She and King Solomon's Mines
Author: Bram Stoker
Context:
Mentioned in context of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, referencing 'Mina Harker from Dracula'
Author: Alan Moore
Context:
Described as 'a comic book' featuring Alan Quartermain and other late 19th century literary heroes