When the World Shook

When the World Shook by H. Rider Haggard is an enthralling science fiction novel that delves into the mysteries of the unknown. The story follows three adventurers-Bastin, Bickley, and Arbuthnot-who journey to a remote Pacific island and uncover an ancient civilization that has survived through millennia. They awaken an ancient king, Oro, who possesses advanced knowledge and technology. As they explore the island's secrets, they face existential questions about power, immortality, and the fate of humanity.

Published in 1919, When the World Shook combines adventure, philosophical inquiry, and speculative science, showcasing Haggard's imaginative prowess and storytelling skill.

Stephen Coan is an assistant editor of The Natal Witness.

Henry Rider Haggard (1856 1925) was an English writer whose best-known work is the romantic adventure tale King Solomon's Mines, though he wrote over forty books in his lifetime.