She: A History of Adventure

The story

Cambridge scholar Horace Holly raises his ward Leo Vincey, who inherits an ancient potsherd telling of a murder two thousand years old. The trail leads them to Africa and the lost city of Kôr.

There rules Ayesha, “She-who-must-be-obeyed”, a queen who has waited centuries for the return of the man she loved — and who believes Leo is him.

Themes: immortality, power, love and obsession, Victorian imperialism.

Why it's a good book for language learners

She is dense and atmospheric, with Victorian vocabulary and long philosophical speeches. It suits advanced readers who enjoy rich language and want to read one of the most influential adventure novels ever written. As with other books of its time, read its view of Africa critically.

What you'll practise

• Formal and archaic vocabulary
• Philosophical argument and persuasion
• Descriptions of ruins and ceremonies
• Complex subordinate clauses

Did you know?

She has never been out of print and is counted among the best-selling novels of all time.

The PageWalker adventure

In the adventure you travel to Kôr and face Ayesha yourself. The first page is free to play in your browser, and the adventure is available in 13 languages with click-to-translate.

She: A History of Adventure in other languages

• EnglishShe: A History of Adventure
• العربيةهي: تاريخ من المغامرة
• DeutschSie: Eine Geschichte von Abenteuern
• EspañolElla
• FrançaisElle
• हिन्दीशी: ए हिस्ट्री ऑफ एडवेंचर
• ItalianoLa donna eterna
• 日本語洞窟の女王
• 한국어그녀: 어느 모험의 역사
• PortuguêsEla: Uma História de Aventura
• РусскийОна: история приключения
• TürkçeAyesha: Macera Tarihi
• 简体中文她