Allan and the Holy Flower

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Allan and the Holy Flower

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

In this adventure tale, Allan Quatermain joins Charles Scroope on an expedition to find a rare, sacred orchid in Africa. Complications arise when Scroope is attacked by a leopard, leading to a harrowing survival story involving a mysterious American doctor, Brother John, and a quest that intertwines romance, danger, and spiritual mystery.

Summary up to 500 words

In H. Rider Haggard's *Allan and the Holy Flower*, Allan Quatermain recounts a perilous expedition north of the Limpopo River undertaken with his companion, Charles Scroope, who is engaged to Miss Margaret Manners. Their journey is abruptly halted by a violent leopard attack that injures Scroope, leaving him feverish and near death. Their rescue arrives in the form of Brother John, a mysterious American doctor and clergyman known to the locals as 'Dogeetah.' Brother John reveals a harrowing backstory: he was enslaved by Arab traders at Kilwa, separated from his wife who was taken inland to a slave leader named Hassan-ben-Mohammed, and left for dead before being rescued by Dutch sailors. Driven by a desire to find his wife and expose the slave trade, Brother John guides the group into the interior. They encounter hostile tribes, including the Zulus and the Mazitu, and face the supernatural influence of a witch-doctor named Imbozwi. The narrative intensifies with a dramatic confrontation at the gate of a hostile settlement, where the group must defend themselves against magical threats and armed warriors. During these trials, several companions, including the loyal servant Hans and the hunter Sammy, face death or near-death experiences, testing the group's resolve and faith. Ultimately, the expedition succeeds in defeating the witch-doctor and his followers, allowing Brother John to continue his quest. Scroope recovers from his wounds and marries Miss Manners, while Brother John departs to continue his wanderings in search of his lost wife. The story concludes with Allan reflecting on the legacy of the 'Holy Flower,' a sacred orchid central to the narrative's mystical elements. Plants grown from the flower's seeds are shown to have yet to bloom, suggesting that the true glory of the original flower and its connection to the mysterious 'Mother of the Flower' remains an enduring mystery, bridging the gap between the savage interior and the civilized world.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction