The Holy Flower
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Books |
The Holy Flower—known in the United States as Allan and the Holy Flower—is an adventure novel from 1915 authored by H. Rider Haggard, spotlighting the protagonist Allan Quatermain. This narrative was initially published in serialized form in The Windsor Magazine between December 1913 and November 1914, as well as in New Story Magazine from December 1913 through June 1914, featuring artwork by Maurice Greiffenhagen. The plot centers on Quatermain’s expedition into Africa with the goal of discovering an enormous and rare orchid species. This book represents the seventh novel installment and the eleventh story within the Allan Quatermain collection.
Plot
Allan learns from Brother John, a seasoned explorer of Africa, about the existence of a unique giant orchid. After bringing this flower back to England, Allan encounters Stephen Somers.
Due to a mistaken bid, Somers ends up paying an exorbitant amount for a rare flower, which leads to his disinheritance by his father despite settling the payment. Resolute in his ambitions, Somers intends to sell the flower to finance an expedition into Africa aimed at locating a living version of the giant orchid Allan recovered.
Throughout their adventure, they face challenges including Arabian slave traders, hostile warrior communities, cannibalistic groups, and a colossal gorilla.
Bibliography
- Title: Allan and the Holy Flower
- Author: Henry Rider Haggard
- Publishers: Ward Lock & Co (UK), Longmans, Green and Company (USA), 1915
- Pages: 384
- Language: English
- Series: Allan Quatermain
- Genre: Adventure fiction