The Tragedy of the Korosko (Hesperus Classics) [Paperback]

A Conan Doyle (Author), Tony Robinson (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2003 | Series: Hesperus Classics

Written in 1898, Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic tale of high adventure portrays an alarmist era of imperial sovereignty, invasive foreign policy, and religious extremism, positing the naivety of a group of Anglo-American holiday-makers against the unbending convictions of Middle Eastern banditti. Among others, a young American ingenue, her matronly aunt, a fusty old bachelor, a loving Irish couple, and an opinionated French graduate gather aboard the Korosko. But during a morning tour of the desert, they are taken hostage by a group whose intention it is either to convert them to Islam or to kill them. Conan Doyle brings his mastery of thrills and suspense to bear on this extraordinary tale of East meets West. Scottish-born writer and novelist Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is best remembered as the creator of the immortal detective Sherlock Holmes.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Hesperus Press, as suggested by their Latin motto, Et remotissima prope, is dedicated to bringing near what is far—far both in space and time. Works by illustrious authors, often unjustly neglected or simply little known in the English–speaking world, are made accessible through a completely fresh editorial approach and new translations. Through these short classic works, which feature forewords by leading contemporary authors, the modern reader will be introduced to the greatest writers of Europe and America. An elegantly designed series of genuine rediscoveries.

About the Author

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a British physician, novelist, and detective-story writer, creator of the unforgettable master sleuth Sherlock Holmes. Some of the best known of the Holmes stories are The Sign of Four (1890), The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892), The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902), and His Last Bow (1917). --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Hesperus Press (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184391039X
• ISBN-13: 978-1843910398
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 6.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,782,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What's old is new again, July 17, 2007

By 

Jason Jesseph - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tragedy of the Korosko (Paperback)

An excellent read! Published in 1898 this novel tells the story of a small group of western tourists on holiday in northern africa. Taken hostage by a nomadic tribe of arab muslims, these westerners are faced with the stark choice of conversion to Islam or death. A facinating commentary on the cultural divide between western Christianity and eastern Islam with an insightful dialouge around the "white man's burden" as only the English could tell it.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Hesperus Press Kindle Edition Is NOT "The Tragedy of Korosko", February 12, 2011

By 

E. T. Veal (Chicago, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Tragedy of the Korosko (Kindle Edition)

[This review notes a problem with the Hesperus Press Kindle edition. It is not a review of the book itself.]

Hesperus Press offers the most expensive Kindle edition of "The Tragedy of Korosko". Unfortunately, the work delivered is "Through the Magic Door", a long essay in which Conan Doyle ruminates about his favorite writers. The substitution is surely inadvertent. A review seemed like the best way to call it to the publisher's intention and in the meantime warn prospective buyers.

13 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The burden of the white man, November 21, 2001

By 

Bahram Houchmandzadeh (France) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tragedy of the Korosko (Paperback)

This is a very significant book about the general opinons of Western people about middle eastern-arabs at the end of 19th century. The tale is about how tourists on a steamer have been taken hostage by a gang of arabs, and how "the heroic" british army saved them. What is behind the tale is what has been codified by kipling: "the burden of the white man". The superior civilized Anglo saxons and their mission toward uncivilised barabarians. The depiction of natives in mild racists words is what, unfortunately, has not changed so much in western opinions (even if hidden behind layers of politically correct). Very instructive for whoever is interested in the root of racisms, as described by E. Said in "orientalism". A very funny part of the book is the contrast between the arrogant french tourist who at the begining criticizes the wise brits, but by the end is grateful and convinced. Replace brits with americans, and the book could have been written in 2001.