Subject
Africa -- Fiction Books
Best books
Joseph Conrad
Heart of Darkness
"Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad is a novella published in 1899. Sailor Charles Marlow recounts his journey as a steamer captain for a Belgian company deep into the African interior. His assignment: to find Kurtz, an ivory trader who has mysteriously "gone native" at a remote station upriver. Conrad's tale explores European colonialism, power, and morality while questioning the boundary between civilization and savagery. The novella provides a dark meditation on imperialism, drawing unsettling parallels between London and Africa as places shrouded in darkness.
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Tarzan of the Apes
"Tarzan of the Apes" by Edgar Rice Burroughs is a novel published in 1914. When an English nobleman's infant son is orphaned in the African jungle, he is adopted and raised by apes. Named Tarzan, meaning "White Skin," he grows up torn between his ape family and his human heritage. His world changes dramatically when a new group arrives, including Jane Porter, the first white woman he encounters. This tale explores identity, civilization, and the conflict between nature and heredity.
G. A. (George Alfred) Henty
The Dash for Khartoum: A Tale of the Nile Expedition
"The Dash for Khartoum: A Tale of the Nile Expedition" by G. A. Henty is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book revolves around a dramatic and fictionalized account of the Nile Expedition, focusing primarily on the intertwined lives of two boys—Rupert and Edgar Clinton—who grow up as brothers but are caught in a mysterious mix-up regarding their true identities. This narrative explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and the moral implications of secrets, as both boys are thrust into a world where their heritage and futures hang in the balance. At the start of the novel, we meet Jane Humphreys, who is reflecting on the complications that have arisen from raising two babies—her own son and the equally indistinguishable son of Captain Clinton—after a fateful mix-up. Following the unexpected death of Jane's father, she initially accepted the marriage proposal of Sergeant Humphreys in a moment of desperation. As confusion ensues concerning the true identities of the children, the story unfolds with Jane's struggle between her responsibilities as a mother and her desire for wealth and social prestige, setting the stage for a complex examination of family dynamics, emotional turmoil, and the impact of upbringing on one's identity. The opening establishes a rich context for the social and familial conflicts that drive the ensuing action in this gripping tale.
H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard
King Solomon's Mines
"King Solomon's Mines" by H. Rider Haggard is a novel published in 1885. It follows adventurer Allan Quatermain as he leads an expedition into unexplored Africa to find a missing aristocrat's brother and locate the legendary treasure of King Solomon. The journey takes them across deadly deserts and into a hidden kingdom ruled by a ruthless king. There, they become entangled in ancient prophecies, witch hunts, and a brewing rebellion. Considered the genesis of the lost world literary genre, it captivates with perilous adventure and mystery.
H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard
She
"She" by H. Rider Haggard is a Gothic novel published in 1887. The story follows Cambridge professor Horace Holly and his ward Leo Vincey on a perilous journey into the African interior, where they seek a lost kingdom. There they encounter the Amahagger people and their mysterious ruler—a powerful white sorceress named Ayesha, known as "She-who-must-be-obeyed." Possessing immortality and supernatural powers, Ayesha has waited over two thousand years for her lost lover's return. A groundbreaking work that established conventions of the lost world genre.
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Jungle Tales of Tarzan
"Jungle Tales of Tarzan" by Edgar Rice Burroughs is a collection of twelve short stories published in 1919. Set during Tarzan's late teenage years in the African jungle, these tales explore his struggles between his human nature and ape upbringing. The stories follow his relationships with his ape tribe, encounters with neighboring cannibals, confrontations with dangerous animals, and his search for understanding about God and identity. Each adventure reveals the ape-man navigating love, jealousy, vengeance, and survival in the wild.
Joseph Conrad
Heart of Darkness
"Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad is a novella published in 1899. Sailor Charles Marlow recounts his journey as a steamer captain for a Belgian company deep into the African interior, where he must find Kurtz, an ivory trader who has "gone native." The story examines European colonialism, power, and morality, questioning the difference between "civilised people" and "savages." Conrad draws stark parallels between London and Africa as places of darkness, creating a critique of imperialism that continues to provoke discussion.
Jules Verne
Five Weeks in a Balloon Or, Journeys and Discoveries in Africa by Three Englishmen
"Five Weeks in a Balloon" by Jules Verne is an adventure novel published in 1863. Dr. Samuel Fergusson, his manservant Joe, and professional hunter Richard Kennedy set out to cross unexplored Africa in a hydrogen balloon with a revolutionary altitude-control mechanism. Their journey from Zanzibar to Senegal aims to link the expeditions of famous explorers while searching for the source of the Nile. The travelers face hostile tribes, environmental dangers, and dramatic conflicts as they navigate the mysterious continent through perseverance and fortunate timing.
H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard
Allan Quatermain
"Allan Quatermain" by H. Rider Haggard is a novel published in 1887. This sequel to "King Solomon's Mines" follows the legendary explorer as he ventures deep into uncharted African territory with his companions. Seeking escape after personal tragedy, Quatermain discovers the hidden kingdom of Zu-Vendis, ruled by two rival sisters. What begins as exploration transforms into deadly conflict when forbidden love and political intrigue ignite a devastating civil war in this lost civilization.
H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard
She and Allan
"She and Allan" by H. Rider Haggard is a novel published in 1921. The story brings together two of Haggard's most famous characters: the immortal sorceress Ayesha and adventurer Allan Quatermain. Seeking to communicate with the dead, Quatermain journeys north to find a mysterious white queen who rules a hidden kingdom. Accompanied by the warrior Umslopogaas, he ventures into unknown territory where he encounters cannibals, ancient ruins, and the veiled Ayesha herself, whose supernatural powers may hold the answers he seeks.
Jules Verne
Cinq Semaines En Ballon
"Cinq Semaines En Ballon" by Jules Verne is a novel published in 1863. Dr. Samuel Fergusson and two companions embark on a daring balloon voyage across unexplored regions of Africa, from Zanzibar to Senegal. Using an innovative altitude-control mechanism, they aim to connect territories mapped by different explorers while traversing lakes, deserts, and legendary cities. The three adventurers face multiple dangerous encounters as they journey over a continent still shrouded in mystery for European explorers of the era.
Unknown
Stories by English Authors: Africa (Selected by Scribners)
"Stories by English Authors: Africa" by Arthur Conan Doyle et al. is a collection of short stories likely composed during the late 19th century. This anthology features narratives that explore various experiences and encounters in Africa, showcasing diverse characters and settings while blending elements of adventure, mystery, and colonial perspectives. The opening of the volume introduces "The Mystery of Sasassa Valley" by Arthur Conan Doyle, focusing on the character Tom Donahue, nicknamed "Lucky Tom." The story begins with an ominous atmosphere as Donahue and his friend Jack Turnbull recount their arduous journey in Cape Colony and the legend surrounding the haunted Sasassa Valley. The narrative unfolds as they delve into a thrilling ghost story, which spurs Tom's obsession with a mysterious light seen in the valley, ultimately leading to both intrigue and unexpected consequences in their quest for answers. The tension builds as the characters prepare to confront the supernatural enigma that may ultimately change their fortunes.
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