Elissa

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Elissa

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Set in ancient Zimbabwe and colonial Zululand, this collection blends historical romance with spiritual drama. H. Rider Haggard weaves tales of Phoenician traders, forbidden love, and the tragic Battle of Isandlwana, exploring themes of faith, destiny, and the clash between civilization and savagery.

Summary up to 500 words

H. Rider Haggard's *Elissa* presents two distinct narratives set against the backdrop of ancient and colonial Africa. The first story, *Elissa; or The Doom of Zimbabwe*, transports readers to a legendary Phoenician city, Zimboe, located in South Central Africa. Prince Aziel, a grandson of Solomon and a worshipper of Jehovah, arrives after a perilous journey to find the city of gold. There, he encounters Elissa, the high-priestess of Baaltis, whom he loves deeply. However, Elissa has renounced her pagan duties, refusing to sacrifice innocents to the goddess. As the city faces imminent invasion by the savage hordes of Ithobal, Aziel and Elissa attempt to flee. Their escape is thwarted by the priests, leading to a dramatic confrontation where Elissa faces the terrifying 'Cage of Death.' The narrative concludes with a poignant reflection on the mystery of the ruins and the tragic fate of the ancient empire, highlighting the clash between faith and fanaticism. The second story, *Black Heart and White Heart: A Zulu Idyll*, shifts to the Zulu War of 1879. It follows Philip Hadden, a white man hunted by Nahoon, a Zulu warrior driven mad by grief after his betrothed, Nanea, was killed by Hadden's ally, Black Heart. Pursued across the battlefield of Isandlwana, Hadden is cornered by Nahoon near the hut of the prophetess known as the Bee. Just as Nahoon is about to kill him, Nanea appears not as a ghost, but as a living woman, revealing she has been hidden by the prophetess. She saves her husband, restoring his sanity and their life together. The narrative serves as a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the complex moral landscape of the colonial era, blending historical events with romantic fiction.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/h-rider-haggard_elissa.epub

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data/epubs/url-99a5b79fc74f0519.epub

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2026-06-30 01:03 UTC

Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction