Caesar & Hussein

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In this volume, Patrick O’Brian’s two debut novels offer insight into the literary genius behind the Master and Commander series. Caesar, O’Brian’s first novel written at age fourteen, tells the captivating and brutal tale of a unique Panda Leopard, born to a giant panda father and a snow leopard mother. With O’Brian’s characteristic dry wit and precision, readers witness Caesar’s tragic childhood, his capture and taming, and his eventual rise to fatherhood under human masters. Upon publication, the book garnered acclaim, leading to O’Brian being likened to a ‘boy-Thoreau.’ Hussein, O’Brian’s second novel, is an adventurous narrative centered on a young mahout, or elephant handler, navigating life among elephants. Set against the vibrant backdrop of India during the British Raj, this exotic tale encompasses themes of love, murder, vengeance, and triumph, with the New York Times favorably comparing it to Kipling’s Kim, calling it ‘a gorgeous entertainment.’ O’Brian noted that writing this book taught him the fundamentals of storytelling and opened a well of joy that remains. Originally published in 1930 and 1938, these novels were reprinted in 1999 by the British Library, and this new edition presents them together for the first time.