It's been four or five years since I've read any of H. Rider Haggard's novels. So this was a good chance to go and pick up one of his relatively early works. With The People of the Mist, Haggard produces a variation on King Solomon's Mines. Like that work, he has his hero, Leonard Outram, undertake a perilous journey to the edge of an African desert wherein lies a Lost Civilization, the People of the Mist. In this case, however, the goal is to gain a fortune in rubies rather than diamonds. Another faithful African attendant, Otter the dwarf, stands by Leonard's side, just as Umbopa the giant did for Quatermain in Mines. There is also a hidden identity story leading to an overthrow of the ruling power. Here, it is Soa, the exiled daughter of the high priest, Nam, who initially seems to support Leonard and his new wife, Juanna. But jealous of Leonard's theft of Juanna's affections, Soa being her servant since childhood, the newly returned exile masterminds a plot to gain supreme power of the kingdom of the Mist through her father. At least in Mines, Umbopa remained true and faithful to Quatermain after revealing himself to be the rightful king of his land. Both stories also have the principals returning from the quests with wealth and success. Although also in both cases, there is a melancholy ending, where things still seem amiss. Money, titles, and land aren't enough without family and love. And in the case of People of the Mist, a hand reaches out from the grave to bring unease to Leonard and Juanna's life together.

An enjoyable time with this fantasy adventure. Amazing it is that Haggard can take the same storyline from earlier works and keep them fresh and full of tension and mystery.