Swallow: A Tale of the Great Trek

Dodo Collections brings you another classic from H. Rider Haggard, 'Swallow: A Tale of the Great Trek'.

Swallow: A Tale of the Great Trek is an 1899 novel by H. Rider Haggard set in South Africa during the Boer Trek of 1836.

The novel was adapted into a 1922 South African film.

H. Rider Haggard practically invented the "journey-to-a-lost-civilization" adventure genre, which captured the public's imagination. He traveled the world, spending much time in southern Africa. These exotic experiences influenced all his works. He wrote best-selling adventure stories on a dare. All his writings reflect a deep appreciation of humanity in the midst of extraordinary fantasy and adventure. In all, he wrote over 40 novels.

H. Rider Haggard was an English writer of adventure novels set in exotic locations, predominantly Africa, and a pioneer of the Lost World literary genre. He was also involved in agricultural reform throughout the British Empire. His stories, situated at the lighter end of Victorian literature, continue to be popular and influential.

His novels portray many of the stereotypes associated with colonialism, yet they are unusual for the degree of sympathy with which the native populations are portrayed. Africans often play heroic roles in the novels, although the protagonists are typically European (though not invariably). Notable examples are the heroic Zulu warrior Umslopogaasi and Ignosi, the rightful king of Kukuanaland, in King Solomon's Mines. Having developed an intense mutual friendship with the three Englishmen who help him regain his throne, he accepts their advice and abolishes witch-hunts and arbitrary capital punishment.

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