Smith and the Pharaohs
The story revolves around Allan Quatermain, a hunter and adventurer who becomes embroiled in an ancient Egyptian mystery involving the Pharaohs. He joins forces with a group of explorers to uncover the secrets of the lost city of Kôr, which holds the key to immortality. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles, including treacherous terrain, rival treasure hunters, and supernatural entities.
By H. Rider Haggard · First published 1887 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Fantasy · 2 chapters · 21,104 words
First lines
Scientists, or some scientists-for occasionally one learned person differs from other learned persons-tell us they know all that is worth knowing about man, which statement, of course, includes woman. They trace him from his remotest origin; they show us how his bones changed and his shape modified, also how, under the influence of his needs and passions, his intelligence developed from something very humble. They demonstrate conclusively that there is nothing in man which the dissecting-table will not explain; that his aspirations towards another life have their root in the fear of death, or, say others of them, in that of earthquake or thunder; that his affinities with the past are merely inherited from remote ancestors who lived in that past, perhaps a million years ago; and that everything noble about him is but the fruit of expediency or of a veneer of civilisation, while everything base must be attributed to the instincts of his dominant and primeval nature.
What this Textopian page supports
Smith and the Pharaohs 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, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
- Length: 21,104 words
- Structure: 2 chapters, 299 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Smith and the Pharaohs 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Smith and the Pharaohs?
- How does this novel by H. Rider Haggard fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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- Child Of Storm by H. Rider Haggard
- The Ancient Allan by H. Rider Haggard
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- Morning Star by H. Rider Haggard
Genres
- Adventure — The narrative is driven by exploration and discovery, typical of adventure stories.
- Historical Fiction — The story incorporates historical elements and settings, blending fiction with historical context.
- Fantasy — The plot includes fantastical elements and supernatural occurrences.
- Mystery — The storyline involves solving puzzles and uncovering secrets.
Tags
Adventure · Fantasy · Historical Fiction · Mystery · Egyptology · Romance · Action · Thriller · Quest · Ancient History · Mythology · Supernatural