Prester John (novel)

infobox Book |
name = Prester John
orig title =
translator =


image_caption =
author = John Buchan
cover_artist =
country = Scotland, South Africa
language = English
series =
genre = Thriller, Novel
publisher = William Blackwood & Sons
release_date = 1910
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages =
isbn = NA
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Prester John" is a 1910 adventure novel by John Buchan. It tells the story of a young Scotsman, David Crawfurd's adventures in South Africa, where a Zulu uprising is tied to the medieval legend of Prester John. Crawfurd is similar in many ways to Buchan's later character, Richard Hannay.

Buchan was a strong supporter of the British Empire and the British Commonwealth, and this can be seen in this novel. Containing the racial stereotypes and caricatures of its day, the book was popular, and constitutes an excellent example of early 20th century adventure novel. It is still in print today and much of the novels theme of cultural clash is stil relevant.

Buchan's rich, lively descriptions of the South African landscape, which he knew well, are memorable.

It contains the notable line: "Perfect love casteth out fear, the Bible says; but, to speak it reverently, so does perfect hate." [cite book
title=Prester John
first=John
last=Buchan
publisher=George H. Doran Company
location=New York
year=1910
pages=130]

Plot

The setting is contemporary to publication, i.e. the beginning of the 20th century. Crawfurd's father dies, and he goes to work as a shopkeeper in a place called Blaauwildebeestefontein. Then there is a Zulu uprising.

References