A Tale of Three Lions

by H. Rider Haggard

A Tale of Three Lions by H. Rider Haggard.

Genres: Adventure, Fiction, Classics, Short Stories, British Literature, Thriller

44 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1887

About the author

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

His breakout novel was King Solomon's Mines (1885), which was to be the first in a series telling of the multitudinous adventures of its protagonist, Allan Quatermain.

Haggard was made a Knight Bachelor in 1912 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1919. He stood unsuccessfully for Parliament as a Conservative candidate for the Eastern division of Norfolk in 1895. The locality of Rider, British Columbia, was named in his memory.

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Tale of Three Lions is an adventure, romance, classic, thriller novella by Henry Rider Haggard with Allan Quatermain as the main protagonist. If one is wondering, where to situate the story in the Quatermain timeline, the story includes Quatermain's son (14-years-old) who is old enough to actually hunt, but not old enough to listen to instructions. The story is told in three chapters with varying focus, but which involves three lions that attack and carry off one of the party. The story is a story of exotic, African locales, with action and adventure sufficient to thrill and make the imagination soar. I loved these stories when I was younger and feel they're still worth exploring as an adult.

With these classics that are over 100 years old, I usually give a generic Trigger Warning because the antiquated language is not "inclusive", sometimes overtly racist, and misogynistic. Remember that as we get older, our understanding broadens, and amplifies. This is a classic, as I define classic with my three criteria of Longevity, Paradigm Creating or Shifting, and Exceptionalism. Do not read this story if you're going to choose to get offended at a story that is over 100 years old. My caveats are given expressly so that each reader can determine for themselves their ability to tolerate antiquated verbiage. I LOVE Haggard. These stories are thrilling to me, and I wish I had 1/10th the talent. I have to read more Haggard.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful listening 🔰

Due to eye issues and damage Alexa reads to me.
Another will written adventure thriller novella by Henry Rider Haggard of hunting in Africa. The characters are interesting. The story line is fast moving with a lion killing a porter and how it and two other loins come to the adventure. I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for something a little different. Enjoy the adventure of reading 📚2021

[Bianca · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an okay book, I'm glad I gave it a go but it wasn't amazing.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The old story of a hunter in Africa, who, on a hunt with some other men, has to contend with lions who attack their group.
Told in three chapters:
An interest on ten shillings
What was found in the pool
Jim-Jim is avenged

[Karl Kindt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do lions really act this way? This is a weird little short tale of Allan Quatermain worth reading if you like character.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story before Maiwa. Quatermain with his son Harry on a gold quest and 3 lions. Short and as always action packed!

[Chaz Wyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheaper on gutenberg

Read via Gutenberg press for free. This is a 3 chapter novella. Not worth buying but quite a good little yarn.

[Islay Tonkinese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Allan's son, Harry, is shown to be a lucky shot and a questionable hunter.

[Alastair Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm slowly working through Quatermain's adventures and the short stories in Allan's Wife slipped under my radar so I'm catching up (Yes; eBooks, but I buy the hard copy when I find a nice edition in a second-hand shop).
Classic Haggard adventure stuff. But this time without it needing to fit into a wider plot, so in some way 'purer'.
As a short story it is itself a collection of three smaller tales, all tied together by Quatermain's son (and Jim-Jim) as they move from gold mining to escaping back to the African wilds and home territory for Haggard. This time the hunting seemed a lot more blood thirsty and shocking. Maybe it was because there wasn't a wider tale to tell, but this read closer to a real 'thriller' than most of Quatermain's tales.
An enjoyable short read and a good introduction to Quatermain if you've not read beyond King Soloman'.

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty entertaining Quatermain story. I particularly liked the first bit about Allan and Henry finding gold, though it seemed completely unrelated to the rest of the story. Also, I felt bad for the Oxen... and the lions... and Jim-Jim.

We discuss this series further on this episode of Howe's Things: https://youtu.be/kCkGJh4Pp8I

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story in which Quatermain relates the story of his trek into the interior of Africa with his 14 year old son Harry in search of game. The first part relates their 3 month experience mining for gold in a worked out claim. Following this is when he and Harry go on the hunting trek and encounter 3 lions.

[Salman Mahmud Rasel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three outstanding stories of HUNTING...!!

[Koca Loca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was not one of H. Rider Haggard's best stories.

[Amrendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 1889 story - part of a book I read long ago - titled 'Adventure Stories'