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Kim - Adventure Novel
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Kim

description Kim Overview

Kim is a novel by Rudyard Kipling, first published in book form in 1901 and set in British-ruled India. It follows Kimball O'Hara, an orphan who travels with a Tibetan lama while also becoming involved in British intelligence work connected with the Great Game rivalry in Central Asia. Combining picaresque adventure, espionage, travel, and spiritual inquiry, the book depicts a wide range of languages, religions, occupations, and social communities across the subcontinent.

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What is the main plot of Rudyard Kipling's novel Kim?

The novel follows Kimball O'Hara, a resourceful orphan navigating the complex political landscape of British-ruled India. He travels alongside a Tibetan lama on a spiritual quest while simultaneously being recruited as a spy for British intelligence.

In what historical context is the novel Kim set?

The story is deeply embedded in the political espionage of the Great Game, the 19th-century rivalry between the British and Russian Empires for control over Central Asia. Kim is trained by British agents to map the northern passes against potential Russian incursions.

When was Kim first published?

Kim was first published in book form in 1901, though it had previously appeared in serialized format in magazines. It stands as Rudyard Kipling's final and arguably most critically acclaimed novel.

What is the significance of the Tibetan lama in Kim?

The Tibetan Buddhist lama is searching for the legendary River of the Arrow to achieve spiritual liberation from the cycle of rebirth. His spiritual innocence provides a sharp contrast to the violent political espionage Kim engages in for the British.

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