Jess is a novel by H. Rider Haggardset in South Africa. Haggard wrote the book in 1885, primarily in his chambers where he was working as a barrister. King Solomon's Mines had been an enormous success but Haggard says he had been "somewhat piqued by the frequent descriptions of myself as 'a mere writer of romances and boys' books' "The book is named after Jess, one of the two orphaned nieces of a farmer in the Transvaal. Maurice Greiffenhagen RA (London 15 December 1862-26 December 1931) was a British painter and Royal Academician. He illustrated books and designed posters as well as painting idyllic landscapes Jess is a novel by H. Rider Haggard set in South Africa.Haggard wrote the book in 1885, primarily in his chambers where he was working as a barrister. King Solomon's Mines had been an enormous success but Haggard says he had been "somewhat piqued by the frequent descriptions of myself as 'a mere writer of romances and boys' books' ". The book is named after Jess, one of the two orphaned nieces of a farmer in the Transvaal.