He

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25589

Title

He

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A whimsical sequel to 'King Solomon's Mines' and 'She,' this novel follows the eccentric editor Mary Martin as she receives a mysterious mummy case containing a manuscript from her friend Leonora O'Dolite. Set in a surreal, satirical version of Oxford and a fantastical 'Dark City,' the story blends high-brow literary references with absurd adventure, featuring a sorcerer named Asher, a tribe of 'Thought-readers,' and a journey through ancient ruins to find a lost magician. With its playful tone, puns, and...

Summary up to 500 words

In this satirical adventure, editor Mary Martin receives a mysterious mummy case from her friend Leonora O'Dolite, who is departing for Treasure Island. Inside lies a manuscript detailing their quest to find a legendary mummy and a guiding magician. The narrative, largely recounted by Leonora, begins with her upbringing in Oxford by her eccentric guardian, Polly. Together, they decipher ancient inscriptions on the mummy case, revealing a prophecy that leads them to the land of the Lo-grollas. Guided by Pellmelli, a representative of a mysterious city, the trio travels to meet a sorcerer named Asher, also known as Jambres. Asher is a timeless figure who speaks ancient tongues and performs impossible feats, agreeing to assist them. Their journey takes them through a bizarre, rain-soaked city filled with absurd elements, such as 'Thought-readers' running wild and advertisements for Ethiopian heads. They descend into an underground Egyptian hall, cross a perilous bridge in total darkness, and encounter the 'Enchanted Chair' of the Vanishing Lady. In a shocking twist, Asher vanishes immediately after sitting in the chair, leaving Leonora and Mary stranded in the subterranean depths. With Pellmelli's help, they escape through dark passages, hoping to reunite with Asher in the distant future. The novel concludes with the editor reflecting on the absurdity and enduring nature of their adventure, questioning whether the drama has truly ended or if the characters will meet again after thousands of years. The story blends high romance with burlesque, questioning the limits of reality and the endurance of legend.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25589.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg25589.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-08 18:11 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Parody