Ayesha (novel)
Sequel to She, final novel of the series.
Ayesha, the Return of She is a gothic-fantasy novel by the Victorian English writer H. Rider Haggard. It came out in 1905 as a follow-up to his 1887 book She. In the timeline of the Ayesha and Allan Quatermain series, this is not the final novel; Haggard later wrote 'She and Allan' (1921), which was published after 'Ayesha'. The story was first printed in installments in the Windsor Magazine, from issue 120 in December 1904 through issue 130 in October 1905, with pictures by Maurice Greiffenhagen.
In his own preface, Haggard connects the name Ayesha to the Arabic name of Muhammad’s third wife (عائشة, ʿĀʾisha). He says it should be said as “Assha” (AH-shə), though the more common pronunciation is “A·ye·sha” (ah-YESH-ə or ah-YEE-shə). Along with the other three books in the series, this novel was not turned into the 1935 movie She; that film was primarily based on the first 'She' novel (1887).
**Synopsis**
The book opens with an unnamed “Editor” who gets a package. Inside is a letter from Horace Holly, plus a manuscript that holds a second account of She. There is also a note from Holly’s doctor, who has been given Holly’s letter, the manuscript, and a wooden box containing an ancient sistrum. The doctor describes how, while attending Holly in his final moments, he arrived at the house to find Holly had gotten up from his deathbed and walked to a nearby circle of old standing stones. Following him, the doctor saw a vision appear to Holly, but as it vanished, Holly gave a joyful cry and died.
Holly’s manuscript starts nearly twenty years after his first African adventure. Holly and his ward Leo Vincey are sure Ayesha did not die. Guided by their dreams, they wander through Asia for years, eventually reaching “Thibet” (as the book spells it). They take shelter for the winter in a remote lamasery, where they meet the old Abbot Kou-En. He claims to remember a past-life meeting with a witch queen from the time of Alexander the Great. The Abbot tries to stop them from going further, warning that nothing is immortal, no matter how beautiful. He believes the Queen is clinging to life’s distractions, which will keep her from peace of mind.
Despite the warning, Leo feels compelled to go on, and Holly will not leave his adopted son. When spring comes, they travel into the uncharted land beyond the monastery. After a dangerous journey with many close calls, they reac
- Author
- H. Rider Haggard
- Published
- 1905
- Genre
- Gothic fantasy
- Nationality
- English
- Series
- Ayesha and Allan Quatermain series
- Preceded by
- She (1887)
- Followed by
- She and Allan (1921)
- Adapted into film
- Not directly; the 1935 film She was primarily based on the first She novel (1887)
Lore & Background
The novel opens with an anonymous Editor receiving a manuscript from Horace Holly, who recounts events nearly twenty years after his first African adventure. Holly and his ward Leo Vincey, convinced that Ayesha did not die, wander through Asia and eventually reach Tibet, where they take refuge in a lamasery. The Abbot Kou-En warns them against seeking a witch queen from the time of Alexander the Great, but they press on to the city of Kaloon, ruled by the evil Khan Rassen and his wife Atene. After escaping and ascending a volcanic mountain, they meet the veiled Hesea, who reveals herself as Ayesha reincarnated in the body of a crone. Leo declares his love, and a mysterious life-force restores her beauty. Ayesha plans to return to Africa and bathe in the Flame of Life with Leo to become immortal and rule the world. However, after a battle with Atene, Leo demands immediate union; when they kiss, his mortal body dies. Ayesha takes his body to the volcano, where flames consume them both.
Reader's Guide
Ayesha, the Return of She is significant as the concluding volume of H. Rider Haggard's Ayesha and Allan Quatermain series, resolving the story of the immortal queen introduced in She. The novel explores themes of reincarnation, the dangers of immortality, and the conflict between love and power. Haggard's use of Tibetan Buddhist concepts of reincarnation and his speculative association of the 'Fire of Life' with radium reflect contemporary scientific interests. The novel was serialized in the Windsor Magazine and illustrated by Maurice Greiffenhagen. It was adapted into the 1935 film She, along with the other three novels in the series. The character Ayesha influenced thinkers such as Freud and Jung, who referenced her in their works. The novel's depiction of a powerful, immortal female figure and its blend of gothic and fantasy elements have contributed to its lasting place in popular culture.
Did You Know?
- The novel was serialized in issues 120 (December 1904) to 130 (October 1905) of the Windsor Magazine.
- Haggard dedicated the novel to his friend Andrew Lang.
- The name 'Ayesha' was borrowed from Arabic, being the name of one of Mohammed's wives.
- The novel was adapted into the 1935 film She.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Ayesha, the Return of She?
The novel was written by Victorian English author H. Rider Haggard and released in 1905. It belongs to the gothic-fantasy subgenre and sits within his broader Allan Quatermain series of adventure novels.
What is the relationship between Ayesha and the earlier novel She?
Ayesha, the Return of She is a direct sequel to Haggard's 1887 novel She, continuing the same world and characters. It picks up the story after the events of the original book, bringing the enigmatic title character back into the narrative.
How was Ayesha first published?
The story appeared in serialized form in the Windsor Magazine, running from issue 120 in December 1904 through issue 130 in October 1905. The installments were accompanied by illustrations by Maurice Greiffenhagen, and the full book edition followed in 1905.
Where does Ayesha sit in the Allan Quatermain series timeline?
In publication order it comes after She (1887) and before She and Allan (1921), making it the middle entry among the three novels that feature the immortal She. Haggard wrote She and Allan later, so Ayesha is not the series' final installment.
Why is the name 'Ayesha' significant?
In his preface, Haggard links the name to the Arabic designation of Muhammad's third wife, lending the character a layer of cultural and religious resonance. This naming choice reinforces the novel's exotic, near-mythic tone and ties the fantasy figure to real-world historical tradition.
More in British fantasy novels 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record