Subject
British -- Africa -- Fiction Books
Best books
Robert E. (Robert Ervin) Howard
The Moon of Skulls
No description available.
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.
Robert E. (Robert Ervin) Howard
The hills of the dead
No description available.
Edgar Rice Burroughs
The illustrated Tarzan book no. 1 : $b Picturized from the novel Tarzan of the apes
"The illustrated Tarzan book no. 1 : Picturized from the novel Tarzan of the…" by Edgar Rice Burroughs is a pictorial adaptation of a classic adventure novel, created during the late 1920s to early 20th century. This book belongs to the genre of adventure fiction and is notable for its extensive use of illustrations—about 300 in total—to bring the story to life in a strip or graphic form. The narrative follows the legendary origins and early life of Tarzan, a young English lord raised by apes in the African jungle, highlighting themes of survival, identity, and the clash between nature and civilization. The story recounts how Lord and Lady Greystoke, stranded by mutinous sailors in the jungle, meet their fate, leaving their infant son to be adopted by Kala, a gentle ape. Growing up as "Tarzan," the boy learns the ways of the wild, discovering his human lineage through the abandoned cabin and teaching himself to read and write. The plot traces his coming-of-age among the apes, his encounters and conflicts with jungle animals and native tribes, and his eventual meeting with Jane Porter and other castaways. Romantic tension develops between Tarzan and Jane as he repeatedly saves her, navigating the divide between his wild upbringing and human origins. The narrative culminates in Tarzan's discovery of his noble birth, his selfless decision to safeguard Jane’s happiness—even at the cost of his own—and his return to his beloved African home, weaving together adventure, romance, and a search for belonging.
Louis Tracy
The Message
"The Message" by Louis Tracy is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set against the backdrop of yachting at Cowes, where the main character, Arthur Warden, engages in a seemingly innocent encounter with a young woman named Evelyn Dane. However, their interactions soon become intertwined with darker elements, including the appearance of the notorious Portuguese slave trader Miguel Figuero and sinister connections to West Africa. At the start of the book, Warden finds himself captivated by the beauty of Cowes and the activities surrounding its regatta week. He engages in lighthearted banter with a local tradesman, illustrating his charismatic nature. The narrative escalates when he encounters Evelyn, who seeks his help in locating a yacht. Their slight flirtation is interrupted by Warden’s unsettling recognition of Figuero, prompting a complex blend of intrigue and potential danger as the story unfolds, hinting at deeper mysteries involving the enigmatic calabash they discover that carries a message from a tumultuous past.
R. Austin (Richard Austin) Freeman
The golden pool : $b A story of a forgotten mine
"The golden pool : A story of a forgotten mine" by R. Austin Freeman is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows Richard Englefield, a weary English bank clerk who seizes a chance to ship out as purser on the brig Lady Jane and is drawn into West African trading, local legends, and hints of hidden gold. Guided and sometimes misled by sailors, merchants, and colonials—including Captain Bithery and the dignified trader Pereira—he stumbles on stories of a sacred treasure and a “forgotten” mine that promise peril and discovery. The opening of the story traces how a misplaced matchbox leads Englefield into a tavern brawl, a hasty rescue of a surly shipmaster, and an impulsive offer to sail as purser to the West African coast. After a fair voyage, he helps establish trade at Quittah, learning the rhythms of buying and selling palm oil, rubber, and copra, while hearing unsettling tales: a Hausa merchant’s talk of a king’s treasure house and “many blind men,” and Pereira’s account of fetish-guarded gold at the Aboasi pool. A Sunday trip inland reveals a mission graveyard and a scarred, eyeless Krepi man who seems a former Ashanti slave, deepening the mystery. Sent down the coast to Adena, Englefield meets the smooth Olympio, endures a fiery local feast, and in a secret compartment of an old sea chest discovers the faded journal of Captain Barnabas Hogg—an artifact that hints his own quest is only beginning.
Robert Gore Browne
The Crater
"The Crater" by Robert Gore Browne is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story explores themes of love, loyalty, and the complexities of human relationships, particularly against the backdrop of colonial Africa. The narrative introduces Norah, a woman caught between the expectations of her marriage to Archie Sinclair, a dutiful but reticent husband, and her rekindled connection with the charismatic Dick Ward. At the start of the novel, tensions arise aboard a ship traveling off the East Coast of Africa, where Ross, a fellow passenger, prepares to share an intriguing tale about Norah Sinclair. As their conversation unfolds, Ross sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Norah's past, revealing her beauty, adventurous spirit, and her longing for more than the isolated life she's endured on a farm with Archie. The opening portion paints a vivid picture of Norah's inner turmoil as she grapples with her marriage and her attraction to Dick, who represents a tantalizing escape from her mundane reality. As the plot develops, readers are drawn into Norah's struggles and the profound implications of her choices, setting the tone for a compelling exploration of love and desire amid the harsh realities of life in Africa.
Hume Nesbit
The Empire Makers: A Romance of Adventure and War in South Africa
"The Empire Makers: A Romance of Adventure and War in South Africa" by Hume Nesbit is an adventure novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around three main characters—Ned Romer, Clarence Raybold, and Fred Weldon—who embark on a journey to South Africa. Their quest leads them into the heart of conflict between the British Empire and the Boer Republic, reflecting the historical tensions of the time. At the start of the narrative, a preface sets the historical context by expressing the complexities of imperialism in South Africa. The opening chapter introduces Ned Romer as a charismatic and athletic school captain who dreams of adventure. Alongside his friends, he faces personal challenges, including the recent death of Fred’s father, which propels them toward the uncertain future of becoming explorers. Soon, the trio decides to venture into Africa together, solidifying their camaraderie and ambition for adventure. As they prepare for their journey, themes of burgeoning responsibilities, friendship, and the moral implications of imperialism begin to emerge, setting the stage for what promises to be an epic adventure intertwined with historical commentary.
John Masefield
Multitude and Solitude
"Multitude and Solitude" by John Masefield is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Roger Naldrett, a playwright, who grapples with the harsh realities of artistic failure as he witnesses the disastrous reception of his work. The narrative delves into themes of artistry, societal expectations, and personal disillusionment. The opening of the novel introduces Roger as he watches the second act of his tragedy unfold in a theater. Despite the cold reception of the first act, he experiences a mix of emotional detachment and empathy for the actors struggling on stage. Roger observes the audience's disdain and his own conflicted feelings toward his art. Throughout this segment, we also learn about his friend John O'Neill and the strain their friendship faces amid Roger's failures. The scene effectively sets a tone of introspection and a critique of contemporary artistic struggles, exploring the tension between individual creativity and collective reception.
Edgar Wallace
The Keepers of the King's Peace
"The Keepers of the King's Peace" by Edgar Wallace is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in the backdrop of British colonial rule in Africa, focusing on the exploits of Lieutenant Tibbetts, affectionately nicknamed "Bones." The narrative combines elements of adventure and wit, featuring themes related to power, relationships, and the clash between indigenous cultures and colonial forces. At the start of the book, we are introduced to a village in the Congo where a woman named M'lama gains a reputation for her healing abilities, which she uses to enact miraculous cures. Tensions arise when the chief of government spies hears of her powers and decides to investigate. Simultaneously, Lieutenant Tibbetts is depicted as a humorous yet clumsy officer who grapples with his duties and the impending arrival of his superior’s sister, Patricia. The opening sets the stage for both the magical elements associated with M'lama and the comedic adventures of Bones, hinting at the engaging interplay between supernatural occurrences and colonial bureaucracy that will unfold throughout the novel.
W. Somerset (William Somerset) Maugham
The Explorer
"The Explorer" by W. Somerset Maugham is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Lucy Allerton, a woman burdened by her family's financial decline, particularly due to her father's reckless spending and gambling. As Lucy grapples with the memories of her once-prosperous family estate, Hamlyn's Purlieu, she is determined to reclaim her family's dignity and secure a future for her younger brother, George. At the start of the novel, we find Lucy standing on a desolate beach, reflecting on her turbulent past and the impending loss of her family's legacy. Maugham introduces the reader to her elaborate thoughts about the sea and her deep connections to the Solent, emphasizing the emotional turmoil that accompanies her memories. As the narrative unfolds, the reader learns of Lucy's struggles to maintain her family's home against her father's financial negligence and the pressures of societal expectations. The opening sets the stage for a poignant exploration of themes of identity, loss, and resilience as Lucy strives to navigate the complexities of her family's decline and her own aspirations for the future.
Harold Bindloss
The League of the Leopard
"The League of the Leopard" by Harold Bindloss is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set in West Africa, it appears to focus on themes of adventure, danger, and the quest for fortune. The opening introduces several key characters, particularly Carsluith Maxwell, who seems to be drawn into perilous circumstances involving mysterious local tribes, specifically the Leopards, and the legacy of his compatriot's dangerous pursuits in search of gold. At the start of the narrative, we find ourselves in a hot and oppressive West African factory where trader Niven lies dying, haunted by fever and the weight of a troubling legacy connected to his partner Lyle. As Niven recounts his harrowing past involving a beset expedition into dangerous territory dominated by a secretive group known as the Leopards, Maxwell, his companion, listens intently. This encounter not only foreshadows Maxwell's potential journey into the perilous lands of the Leopards but also positions him within a conflict that merges personal ambition with ancient tribal rivalries. The tone is somber and filled with tension as Niven's fate intertwines with Maxwell's burgeoning resolve to confront the dangers that lie ahead.
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