Doctor Therne by H. Rider Haggard

Name: Doctor Therne
Author: H. Rider Haggard

The story revolves around a young doctor who returns to England after years abroad and becomes embroiled in a mystery involving a woman's death and a possible murder plot. He uncovers a web of deceit and corruption that leads him to confront his own past and the darker aspects of human nature.

By H. Rider Haggard · First published 1888 · Genre: Science Fiction, Political Fiction, Social Commentary · 13 chapters · 54,701 words

First lines

James Therne is not my real name, for why should I publish it to the world? A year or two ago it was famous-or infamous-enough, but in that time many things have happened. There has been a war, a continental revolution, two scandals of world-wide celebrity, one moral and the other financial, and, to come to events that interest me particularly as a doctor, an epidemic of Asiatic plague in Italy and France, and, stranger still, an outbreak of the mediaeval grain sickness, which is believed to have carried off 20,000 people in Russia and German Poland, consequent, I have no doubt, upon the wet season and poor rye harvest in those countries.

What this Textopian page supports

Doctor Therne is listed on Textopian as a novel by H. Rider Haggard, dated 1888 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: 1888 CE
Language: English
Genres: Science Fiction, Political Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama
Length: 54,701 words
Structure: 13 chapters, 720 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Doctor Therne by H. Rider Haggard
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

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

Similar titles

Genres

Science Fiction — The book explores themes of medical science and experimentation, focusing on a fictional epidemic and its societal impact.
Political Fiction — The narrative delves into political themes, particularly the influence of public health policies and the role of government in managing crises.
Social Commentary — The story critiques societal attitudes towards vaccination and public health, reflecting on the consequences of ignorance and fear.
Drama — The plot is driven by intense personal and societal conflicts, with dramatic tension arising from ethical dilemmas and human behavior.