Allan's Wife and Other Tales

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Allan's Wife and Other Tales

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Set in the shadow of the British flag's retreat from the Transvaal, this collection follows Allan Quatermain as he recounts the tragic loss of his wife Stella and the savage revenge of her servant, Hendrika. Blending adventure with melancholic reflection, these tales explore the fading mystery of the African veldt, the brutality of nature, and the enduring bonds of love and loyalty against a backdrop of changing times.

Summary up to 500 words

In H. Rider Haggard's *Allan's Wife and Other Tales*, the narrative unfolds through the diary of Allan Quatermain, a seasoned hunter and explorer, recounting the tragic romance of his marriage to Stella Carson. The story begins in Allan's childhood, where he saves the young Stella from a fire at the Hall, a moment that foreshadows their destined union. Years later, following the departure of her mother and the departure of her father, Squire Carson, to the wilds of the Transvaal to escape disgrace, Allan pursues Stella to the isolated settlement of Babyan Kraals. There, amidst a ceremony attended by Zulu natives, they are married. However, the joy is immediately shadowed by the presence of Hendrika, Stella's former servant and a 'Babyan-woman' raised by baboons. Hendrika harbors a deep, vengeful hatred for Allan, whom she blames for stealing her mistress's love. After a tense wedding day where she threatens them before escaping into the wilderness, tragedy strikes when Squire Carson suffers a fatal stroke, leaving the newlyweds isolated and vulnerable. The narrative shifts to a thrilling episode of survival and hunting. Allan and his driver, Tom, pursue a family of lions. The hunt turns deadly when a cartridge jam leaves Allan defenseless against a wounded lioness and her cubs. In a desperate struggle, Allan kills the cubs and the lioness but is severely wounded by the black-maned male lion, whom he finally dispatches after a fierce fight. This incident leaves Allan permanently lame, a physical reminder of the dangers of the wild. The tale concludes with a melancholic reflection on the passage of time and the encroachment of civilization. Allan observes that the 'mystery and promise of the morning' in Africa have been replaced by the 'glare of day' as gold-seekers build cities and the game disappears. The story serves as a poignant meditation on lost romance, the harsh realities of survival, and the inevitable fading of the wild past into a modern, less mysterious present. Through Allan's voice, Haggard captures the bittersweet nature of memory, where the vivid adventures of youth are tinged with the sorrow of loss and the quiet resignation of aging.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Short Stories
• Adventure
• Fiction