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Doctor Nikola #3
The Lust Of Hate
This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.
- GenresAdventure
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1898
About the author
Guy Newell Boothby
214 books13 followersGuy Newell Boothby was born in Adelaide, South Australia, the son of Thomas Wilde Boothby, a Member of the South Australian House of Assembly. At six years of age he travelled with his mother to England and was educated at Lord Weymouth's Grammar School, Salisbury and at Christ's Hospital, London between 1874 and 1883.
When his education was over he returned to Australia where he eventually became secretary to the Mayor of Adelaide, Lewis Cohen. He was dissatisfied with his prospects in Adelaide and consequently he moved to Brisbane where he hoped his prospects would be better.
In the meantime he wrote a series of comic operas and plays, all of which were relatively unsuccessful.
He was of a roving disposition and at age 24 he travelled across Australia from north to south and later he travelled extensively in the East.
By 1894 he had married Rose Alice Bristowe and he and his wife moved to England in that year, which was notable for the publication of his first book, 'On the Wallaby, or, Through the East and Across Australia', an account of his and his brother's travels in Australia.
He was given advice and encouragement in his writing by none other than Rudyard Kipling and the year 1895 saw the publication of three novels, the most significant of which was 'A Bid for Fortune: or, Dr Nikola's Vendetta'. This introduced probably his best known character, Dr Nikola, a ruthless, unscrupulous figure, with his ubiquitous large cat, who was to feature in five of his novels over the ensuing years. The book was an instant success and brought him a certain amount of fame. Dr Nikola had first appeared in serial form in the Windosr Magazine.
Over the next 10 years he was to write another 50 books and a further five were published posthumously, the last of which was 'In the Power of the Sultan' (1908). He was so prodigious that the story circulated that he spoke his tales into a phonograph, from which they were later transcribed by secretaries.
He is perhaps remembered also for introducing one of the early gentlemen crooks of literature when he featured Simon Carne in 'A Prince of Swindlers' in 1897. Carne had originally appeared in Pearson's Magazine and as a gentleman crook he pre-dated another of his kind in A J Raffles by two years.
Boothby's novels were often set in Australia (not surprisingly) and were classed as 'fast-paced thrillers' although some felt that although exciting in plot they were 'hastily and carelessly written'. In addition they were said to have been enjoyed by those who 'care for frank sensationalism carried to its furtherest limits'. Despite these comments his books were extremely popular and made him one of the most successful novelists of his day.
Boothby, who was also a successful breeder of prize dogs, died suddenly of pneumonia at his home, Winsley Lodge, Watkin Road, Bournemouth in 1905. He left a widow and three children.
Gerry Wolstenholme
February 2012
When his education was over he returned to Australia where he eventually became secretary to the Mayor of Adelaide, Lewis Cohen. He was dissatisfied with his prospects in Adelaide and consequently he moved to Brisbane where he hoped his prospects would be better.
In the meantime he wrote a series of comic operas and plays, all of which were relatively unsuccessful.
He was of a roving disposition and at age 24 he travelled across Australia from north to south and later he travelled extensively in the East.
By 1894 he had married Rose Alice Bristowe and he and his wife moved to England in that year, which was notable for the publication of his first book, 'On the Wallaby, or, Through the East and Across Australia', an account of his and his brother's travels in Australia.
He was given advice and encouragement in his writing by none other than Rudyard Kipling and the year 1895 saw the publication of three novels, the most significant of which was 'A Bid for Fortune: or, Dr Nikola's Vendetta'. This introduced probably his best known character, Dr Nikola, a ruthless, unscrupulous figure, with his ubiquitous large cat, who was to feature in five of his novels over the ensuing years. The book was an instant success and brought him a certain amount of fame. Dr Nikola had first appeared in serial form in the Windosr Magazine.
Over the next 10 years he was to write another 50 books and a further five were published posthumously, the last of which was 'In the Power of the Sultan' (1908). He was so prodigious that the story circulated that he spoke his tales into a phonograph, from which they were later transcribed by secretaries.
He is perhaps remembered also for introducing one of the early gentlemen crooks of literature when he featured Simon Carne in 'A Prince of Swindlers' in 1897. Carne had originally appeared in Pearson's Magazine and as a gentleman crook he pre-dated another of his kind in A J Raffles by two years.
Boothby's novels were often set in Australia (not surprisingly) and were classed as 'fast-paced thrillers' although some felt that although exciting in plot they were 'hastily and carelessly written'. In addition they were said to have been enjoyed by those who 'care for frank sensationalism carried to its furtherest limits'. Despite these comments his books were extremely popular and made him one of the most successful novelists of his day.
Boothby, who was also a successful breeder of prize dogs, died suddenly of pneumonia at his home, Winsley Lodge, Watkin Road, Bournemouth in 1905. He left a widow and three children.
Gerry Wolstenholme
February 2012
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 30, 2025
‘Lust of Hate’ (1898), a fin-de-siecle Dr Nikola adventure is a find for lovers of adventure, melodrama and revanchist literature. Oh, and I forgot to add maritime disaster and survivalist genres. I'm a sucker for these kinds of books, I love the evil Dr Nikola, his cat and his Chinaman, so nothing can keep me away from Boothby, Rider Haggard, GA Henty, Fergus Hume and others of their species, regardless of their sexism, racism, paternalism, imperialism and every other ism thrown at or by them.
‘Lust for Hate’ (1898) explores the cost of wishing for a life of pleasant ease and wealth without working hard to gratify this desire. Gilbert Pennethorne is sure that the whole world is against him, and so he is against the whole world. Robbed of a gold mine which was never his in the first place, he determines to avenge himself on the thief. Assisted in this praiseworthy aim by Dr Nikola, Pennethorne is soon forced to flee the country. A large part of the book is then taken up by desperate disasters and the tremendous odds against which they are overcome. Twice he is a saviour of lives, once when a beautiful girl falls overboard (she would) and again when the ship capsizes. It goes on like this, when rescue arrives. Pennethorne, having seen the error of his ways, works hard to redeem himself. This is done in an outpost at Bulawayo where, with a mere six of seven White Men, he manages to hold off more than three thousand impis in something resembling the Zulu war at Rorke’s Drift in South Africa. Incidentally, the enemy in this skirmish are Zulu warriors, “led by the Prince,” while the Zulu wars of history were led by King Cetshwayo. All ends well for everyone except Dr Nikola, who accepts defeat like the gentleman he is said to be.
A rollicking start to the five Dr Nikola novels written by Guy Boothby, and among the best of the penny dreadfuls of the day.
‘Lust for Hate’ (1898) explores the cost of wishing for a life of pleasant ease and wealth without working hard to gratify this desire. Gilbert Pennethorne is sure that the whole world is against him, and so he is against the whole world. Robbed of a gold mine which was never his in the first place, he determines to avenge himself on the thief. Assisted in this praiseworthy aim by Dr Nikola, Pennethorne is soon forced to flee the country. A large part of the book is then taken up by desperate disasters and the tremendous odds against which they are overcome. Twice he is a saviour of lives, once when a beautiful girl falls overboard (she would) and again when the ship capsizes. It goes on like this, when rescue arrives. Pennethorne, having seen the error of his ways, works hard to redeem himself. This is done in an outpost at Bulawayo where, with a mere six of seven White Men, he manages to hold off more than three thousand impis in something resembling the Zulu war at Rorke’s Drift in South Africa. Incidentally, the enemy in this skirmish are Zulu warriors, “led by the Prince,” while the Zulu wars of history were led by King Cetshwayo. All ends well for everyone except Dr Nikola, who accepts defeat like the gentleman he is said to be.
A rollicking start to the five Dr Nikola novels written by Guy Boothby, and among the best of the penny dreadfuls of the day.
March 13, 2016
This third Dr Nikola book has everything wrong with it that the first two had; ridiculous levels of coincidence driving the plot and the heroes being appalling racists by modern standards being the chief offenders; but sadly it doesn't quite manage to overcome them in the way it's predecessors did.
I won't bore people with all the little niggles I had, but the main fault, to my eyes, was that the central character, the hero, the narrator of our thrilling adventure, was an insufferable prick. Entire chapters are taken up by this guy telling us how crap his life is, how nothing ever goes right for him, and how he is the unluckiest soul who ever walked the face of the earth. We get it mate, you feel sorry for yourself. I could just about put up with it until he meets the beautiful love interest and berates her every time she tries to compliment or flirt with him; he's unworthy of her affection so she should bugger off and leave him alone, please and thank you; before pursuing her relentlessly as soon as she takes a hint and loses interest.
I haven't hated the behavior of a romantic male lead so much since I watched Amazing Spidey 2: Adventures of a Stalker Boy
I won't bore people with all the little niggles I had, but the main fault, to my eyes, was that the central character, the hero, the narrator of our thrilling adventure, was an insufferable prick. Entire chapters are taken up by this guy telling us how crap his life is, how nothing ever goes right for him, and how he is the unluckiest soul who ever walked the face of the earth. We get it mate, you feel sorry for yourself. I could just about put up with it until he meets the beautiful love interest and berates her every time she tries to compliment or flirt with him; he's unworthy of her affection so she should bugger off and leave him alone, please and thank you; before pursuing her relentlessly as soon as she takes a hint and loses interest.
I haven't hated the behavior of a romantic male lead so much since I watched Amazing Spidey 2: Adventures of a Stalker Boy
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews