The Man Who Would Be King

This edition is a gorgeous hardcover book, 224 A4 pages, 1.4 kg (3.08 lbs), brimming with more than 500 illustrations (watercolours and graphite travel sketches) all printed in their original size! Its luxury cover will be in imitation leather with gold embossed ornamentation. Delicately textured fine arts paper mimics Armel Gaulme's original sketchbook quality, and his spectacular classical 19th century illustrations beautifully complement Kipling's story.
To wave us off on this marvelous adventure, we have Erik L'Homme's blazing introduction, himself well suited to participating in this quest, having had many adventures of his own, including several years in Pakistan, which you can read about in his book, Steps in the Snow.
The incredible artist and Academy Award Winner Alan Lee, famous for his illustrations of J.R.R. Tolkien's worlds and his conceptual design work for Peter Jackson's film adaptations The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit, wrote a splendid afterward!

The French edition of Armel's The Man Who Would Be King won the 2022 Illustration Award at the famous convention Les Imaginales in Epinal, a French event specializing in fictional literature.

Rudyard Kipling:
Mention the name Rudyard Kipling and most of us immediately think of The Jungle Book, his brilliantly clever short stories such as How the Camel Got Its Hump, or his poetry If being oft quoted by many, whether they know him to be its creator or not. He was only 23 when he wrote the incredible The Man Who Would be King, a beautiful and ironic fable, revealing the dangers of arrogance and hubris, inspired by the sensational stories of early explorers, and the campaigns of Alexander the Great. This talented and prolific author was the first English speaker to receive the Nobel Prize of Literature in 1907, and his imaginative writings continue to capture new audiences, delighted to discover his vast repertoire of exuberant creativity!

The story:
India, late 19th century. Daniel Dravot and Peachy Carnehan, two reckless British adventurers and friends, share the same ambition: conquer the legendary land of Kafiristan. Before setting out, they agree to a simple, but strict contract: no temptations; hence no alcohol, nor women; until they achieve their goal of the kingdom.
"They think we are gods."
When Dravot realises that he and fellow mercenary Carnehan will indeed be able to trick the natives into believing that they are gods, the damage is done. From that moment onwards, Dravot's obsession takes hold, possessing him, inevitably leading him to a fatal end.