Swallow by H. Rider Haggard (1888)

Name: Swallow
Author: H. Rider Haggard

The story revolves around a young man who discovers a mysterious and ancient city deep within the African jungle. He becomes embroiled in a struggle between rival factions vying for control of the city's powerful artifacts, including a magical stone that grants immense power to its possessor. The protagonist must navigate treacherous alliances, hidden agendas, and supernatural threats to claim the stone and escape the city alive.

By H. Rider Haggard · First published 1888 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Romance · 35 chapters · 124,303 words

First lines

It is a strange thing that I, an old Boer _vrouw_, should even think of beginning to write a book when there are such numbers already in the world, most of them worthless, and many of the rest a scandal and offence in the face of the Lord. Notably is this so in the case of those called novels, which are stiff as mealie-pap with lies that fill the heads of silly girls with vain imaginings, causing them to neglect their household duties and to look out of the corners of their eyes at young men of whom their elders do not approve. In truth, my mother and those whom I knew in my youth, fifty years ago, when women were good and worthy and never had a thought beyond their husbands and their children, would laugh aloud could any whisper in their dead ears that Suzanne Naudé was about to write a book.

What this Textopian page supports

Swallow 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: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama, Colonial Literature
Length: 124,303 words
Structure: 35 chapters, 1,802 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Swallow 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 Swallow?
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 is driven by exploration and thrilling experiences in a historical setting.
Historical Fiction — The story is set in a specific historical period and incorporates real historical events and figures.
Romance — The narrative includes romantic relationships as a significant element of the plot.
Drama — The book contains intense character development and emotional themes.