Benita by H. Rider Haggard (1886)

Name: Benita
Author: H. Rider Haggard

The novel revolves around Benita, a young woman of mixed European and African descent, who becomes embroiled in the politics of a fictional African kingdom. She is torn between her loyalty to her father, a British colonial administrator, and her growing feelings for a local prince. The story explores themes of identity, culture clash, and the complexities of colonialism.

By H. Rider Haggard · First published 1886 · Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction · 24 chapters · 92,517 words

First lines

Beautiful, beautiful was that night! No air that stirred; the black smoke from the funnels of the mail steamer _Zanzibar_ lay low over the surface of the sea like vast, floating ostrich plumes that vanished one by one in the starlight. Benita Beatrix Clifford, for that was her full name, who had been christened Benita after her mother and Beatrix after her father's only sister, leaning idly over the bulwark rail, thought to herself that a child might have sailed that sea in a boat of bark and come safely into port.

What this Textopian page supports

Benita is listed on Textopian as a novel by H. Rider Haggard, dated 1886 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: H. Rider Haggard
Date: 1886 CE
Language: English
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery
Length: 92,517 words
Structure: 24 chapters, 1,487 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Benita by H. Rider Haggard
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Benita?
How does this novel by H. Rider Haggard fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Adventure — The plot centers around a thrilling quest for treasure in Africa, involving exploration and danger.
Fantasy — The story includes supernatural elements and mystical occurrences that are central to the narrative.
Historical Fiction — Set in a historical context, the novel incorporates real historical events and settings into its fictional narrative.
Romance — There are romantic subplots that develop between characters, adding emotional depth to the story.