Jess by H. Rider Haggard (1887)

Name: Jess
Author: H. Rider Haggard

The novel follows the story of a young woman named Jess, who lives with her father on a remote farm in England. She is a strong-willed and independent individual, but also naive about the world beyond her isolated surroundings. Jess's life takes a dramatic turn when she meets a mysterious stranger who arrives at the farm seeking refuge. As their relationship deepens, Jess begins to question her own identity and sense of purpose. The novel explores themes of love, identity, and social class, as Jess navigates the complexities of her relationships with those around her. Through her experiences, Haggard critiques the societal norms of his time, particularly the limited options available to women in Victorian England. Ultimately, Jess's journey is one of self-discovery and growth, as she learns to assert herself and find her place in the world.

By H. Rider Haggard · First published 1887 · Genre: Adventure, Romance, Historical Fiction · 35 chapters · 131,071 words

First lines

The day had been very hot even for the Transvaal, where the days still know how to be hot in the autumn, although the neck of the summer is broken-especially when the thunderstorms hold off for a week or two, as they do occasionally. Even the succulent blue lilies-a variety of the agapanthus which is so familiar to us in English greenhouses-hung their long trumpet-shaped flowers and looked oppressed and miserable, beneath the burning breath of the hot wind which had been blowing for hours like the draught from a volcano. The grass, too, near the wide roadway that stretched in a feeble and indeterminate fashion across the veldt, forking, branching, and reuniting like the veins on a lady's arm, was completely coated over with a thick layer of red dust. But the hot wind was going down now, as it always does towards sunset.

What this Textopian page supports

Jess is listed on Textopian as a novel by H. Rider Haggard, dated 1887 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: 1887 CE
Language: English
Genres: Adventure, Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama
Length: 131,071 words
Structure: 35 chapters, 1,888 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Jess 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

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Similar titles

Genres

Adventure — The narrative is driven by thrilling and adventurous events set in a dynamic environment.
Romance — Central to the plot is a romantic storyline involving complex relationships.
Historical Fiction — The story is set against a backdrop of historical events and settings, providing context and depth.
Drama — The book explores intense emotional and interpersonal conflicts among the characters.