Prester John

by John Buchan and John Buchan; Illustrated by Henry Pitz

Book Overview

"Prester John" by John Buchan is an adventurous novel set against the backdrop of colonial Africa during the height of the British Empire. The story follows the protagonist, David Crawfurd, a young and eager Scottish man who travels to South Africa to seek his fortune. Once in Africa, Crawfurd becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue, espionage, and high-stakes adventure. He becomes fascinated with the mysterious figure of Prester John, a legendary...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9355847866
• ISBN13: 9789355847867
• Release Date: October 2023
• Publisher: True Sign Publishing House Private Limited
• Length: 180 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Adventure on a Large Canvas: South Africa

This novel, set more than a century ago in backwater South Africa, is the great grandfather of today's thrillers. Buchan, who perfected the form in "The 39 Steps" some years later, gives his young hero plenty to do in sussing out and confronting a massive uprising by tribesmen who wish to slaughter all the white settlers for a hundred miles around. The writing is smooth and the situations are generally believable, though modern readers will have to forgive Buchan for some racist sentiments completely common at the time. Both black and white characters are compellingly and sympathetically drawn, though, so there's no reason to apologize for the book. Read it and be taken back to another time and another place, and imagine how Hollywood would produce this today-- it feels totally contemporary in terms of its "Indiana Jones" adventure plot. Enjoy! (Note: This book is available in its entirety online.)

A good old fashioned adventure story

This is a good old fashioned adventure story-- right along with lines of "King Soloman's Mines", "Allen Quartermain", "Beau Gests", "The Sea-Hawks","She", "Scaramouche","The Scarlet Pimpernel", etc. "Prester John" is based on a character/myth of the same name. Thoughout the Middle Ages it was rumored that a priest named "Prester (Father) John" had traveled to Africa to convert the natives. But instead emassed a huge fortune and made himself king of this mysterous part of Africa. So as you can expect this story is full of lost civilizations, hidden treasures, deepest-darkest Africa, great friendship and ruthless betrayal, explorers of spooky places, tigers and lions, witch doctors, and just plan good old fashioned late-victoria adventures. And despite it being written 100 or so years ago, it is still very,very readable. So if you just want 100% escapism, or to introduce a child to the joys (and excitement) of reading, you can't go wrong with this story...esp. at this price!