Marie

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Marie

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Set in 1830s Southern Africa, this historical romance follows young Allan Quatermain and his Boer companion Henri Marais as they trek northward. Their journey is interrupted by a Zulu ambush, leading to a tragic misunderstanding involving Marie Marais, a young farm girl. A tale of deep love, sacrifice, and the brutal realities of the Great Trek, it explores themes of loyalty, jealousy, and the cost of survival in a savage land.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1912, H. Rider Haggard's *Marie* serves as a poignant prequel to the adventures of Allan Quatermain, recounting the tragic events of 1836 in the Cape Colony. The narrative follows young Allan Quatermain as he accompanies his Boer friend Henri Marais and his family on a perilous trek into the unknown north. Their journey is fraught with danger, including treacherous terrain, lion attacks, and the mysterious disappearance of a fellow traveler, Hernan Pereira. Upon reaching a deserted kraal, the group is surrounded by a formidable Zulu impi led by King Dingaan. Utilizing his mastery of local dialects, Quatermain negotiates with the Zulus, earning the title Macumazahn (Watcher-by-night) and securing safe passage to Dingaan's court. The story takes a dark turn driven by jealousy. Hernan Pereira, consumed by envy over Quatermain's relationship with Marie Marais, plots against them. During a tense night, Marie, desperate to save her husband from execution, drugs him, cuts her hair, and dresses in his clothes. She is led out to the Zulu guards in his place. The following morning, a chaotic confrontation ensues. Believing Marie is dead, Pereira shoots her father, Henri Marais, in a fit of madness. The commandant arrives to find Marie's body and the wounded Pereira. It is revealed that Marie sacrificed her life to save Allan, who had been drugged and hidden by the loyal Vrouw Prinsloo and her son Hans. The novel concludes with Allan recovering from his ordeal, haunted by Marie's death. He finds a letter she wrote before her sacrifice, expressing her enduring love and hope to meet him in the afterlife. Allan vows never to speak of her again until his own death, preserving her memory as a sacred secret. The work grounds Quatermain's legendary status in a story of profound personal tragedy, unwavering devotion, and the brutal realities of the Great Trek era.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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

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data/epubs/url-56e9633d711cdac9.epub

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