Marie: Zulu Series, Book 1

by H. Rider Haggard, Shelly Frasier (Narrated by)

Overview

Sir Henry Rider Haggard KBE (1856-1925) was a Victorian writer of adventure novels set in exotic locations. After failing his army entrance exam he was sent to a private 'crammer' in London to prepare for the entrance exam for the British Foreign Office, for which he never sat. Haggard's father sent him to Africa in an unpaid position as assistant to the secretary to Lieutenant-Governor of Natal Sir Henry Bulwer. Heavily influenced by the larger-than-life adventurers he met in Colonial Africa, the great mineral wealth discovered in Africa, and the ruins of ancient lost civilizations in Africa such as Great Zimbabwe, Haggard created his Allan Quatermain adventures. Haggard also wrote about agricultural and social issues reform, in part inspired by his experiences in Africa, but also based on what he saw in Europe. Haggard is most famous as the author of the best-selling novel King Solomon's Mines (1885). Amongst his other works are She (1887), Allan Quatermain (1888), Eric Brighteyes (1891) and Ayesha (1895).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	2000003454266
Publisher:	Tantor Media, Inc.
Publication date:	12/12/2006
Series:	Zulu
Edition description:	Unabridged

About the Author

Henry Rider Haggard was a prolific English writer whose works are full of action in colorful locations where his protagonists often find exotic, hidden societies and encounter numerous dangers and characters with strange powers. His best-known work is the romantic adventure tale King Solomon's Mines, which was inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. During his lifetime, Haggard wrote over forty books, many of which have been made into films, including the historical novel Cleopatra.Haggard was born in Norfolk, England, in 1856. He was the eighth son of a country squire and an amateur writer. Although his father considered him the family dunce, he was educated in private schools. In 1875, Haggard served as secretary to the governor of the Natal colony. He later joined the staff of the special commissioner and became master and registrar of the High Court in Transvaal. Like his friend Rudyard Kipling, Haggard was sympathetic to the British colonial policy but also saw the dangers of European intrusion.While in Africa, Haggard had an affair with an African woman and became fascinated with the Zulu culture. This inspired many novels, including his Zulu trilogy: Marie, Child of Storm, and Finished. Haggard returned to England, married a Norfolk heiress, and moved to his ostrich farm in Transvaal. However, when Transvaal was ceded to the Dutch, Haggard and his wife were forced back to England. Haggard studied law and was admitted to the bar, but he hardly practiced law. Instead, he devoted himself to writing. Between 1912 and 1917, he traveled extensively as a member of the Dominions Royal Commission. Haggard was an expert on agricultural and social conditions in England and on colonial migration. In 1912, he was knighted for his government services and was later appointed knight commander of the British Empire. Haggard died in London on May 14, 1925. In addition to narrating audiobooks, Shelly Frasier has appeared in many independent film and theater projects in Arizona and southern California and has developed character voices for animation projects and voiceover work for commercials. She trained at the Groundlings Improv School in Hollywood and South Coast Reperatory's Professional Conservatory in Costa Mesa, California. She has performed at theaters throughout North Hollywood and Orange County. Recent performances include Blue Window, The Battle of Bull Run Always Makes Me Cry, The Haunting of Hill House, and a British farcical version of A Christmas Carol. She resides in Hollywood.

Table of Contents

Chapter I.	Allan Learns French	1
Chapter II.	The Attack on Maraisfontein	15
Chapter III.	The Rescue	33
Chapter IV.	Hernando Pereira	46
Chapter V.	The Shooting Match	63
Chapter VI.	The Parting	81
Chapter VII.	Allan's Call	96
Chapter VIII.	The Camp of Death	113
Chapter IX.	The Promise	128
Chapter X.	Vrouw Prinsloo Speaks Her Mind	142
Chapter XI.	The Shot in the Kloof	158
Chapter XII.	Dingaan's Bet	174
Chapter XIII.	The Rehearsal	189
Chapter XIV.	The Play	204
Chapter XV.	Retief Asks a Favour	220
Chapter XVI.	The Council	238
Chapter XVII.	The Marriage	254
Chapter XVIII.	The Treaty	264
Chapter XIX.	Depart in Peace	288
Chapter XX.	The Court-Martial	306
Chapter XXI.	The Innocent Blood	326

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Shelly Frasier transitions easily among British, French, Dutch, and American accents in her sober performance of this classic." —-AudioFile

Editorial Reviews

"Shelly Frasier transitions easily among British, French, Dutch, and American accents in her sober performance of this classic." —-AudioFile

From the Publisher