The Days of My Life (1926) by Henry Rider Haggard (Volume I)

Book Review by Sue Roe: Rider Haggard was prompted to write his autobiography by a rather bizarre occurrence: A while ago, it may have been a year or more, the telephone in this House rang and down the mysterious wire… came an excited inquiry from a London press agency, as to whether I were dead. … Continue reading →

City of Gold (1939) by Francis Brett Young

Book Review by Mary Grover: Having, years ago, read one of Young’s Mercian novels I was bamboozled, late at night, by the fact my copy of The City of Gold had front and end papers decorated with maps of the Severn valley and of the Midland counties in which most of Young’s novels are set. … Continue reading →

The African Queen (1935), by C S Forester

The African Queen is a ripping yarn (one reason, by the way, for the success of the 1951 film).  Two ill-suited people struggle against incredible odds on an impossible quest, striking a blow for the right against imperial might.  But I think The African Queen, by C S Forester (1899-1966), is much more than a … Continue reading →

Prester John by John Buchan (1910)

Review by Mary P: As a boy the hero and narrator of the novel, David Crawfurd, sees a black man, the Reverend John Laputa, preach at his local kirk. When later David goes to South Africa to take up work as an  storekeeper he meets this same preacher on the boat, as well as a … Continue reading →