QUEST FOR FIRE BY J. -H. ROSNY AÎNÉ - AVAILABLE soon

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Quest for Fire, written by J. -H. Rosny aîné, was originally published in France in 1911 as La Guerre du Feu (The War of Fire). It has been translated into eleven languages and was made into a major motion picture in 1981 by Jean-Jacques Annaud.  Rosny left behind a substantial amount of fiction, but little of his work has been translated into English. As a result of that he has always remained in the shadow of Jules Verne, the father of Scientific Romance. He is best known for his prehistoric tales, but he also wrote Science Fiction and was first to use the word astronaut (astronautique). 

Quest for Fire is Rosny’s best loved work. It is a classic example of the “Hero’s Journey,” and we are enthralled as Naoh, a Neanderthal warrior, leads a small band of brothers into dangerous lands to capture a strange, powerful and beloved beast: The Fire. Facing one crisis after another, Naoh returns exalted and transformed—a true hero to his People. The accompanying Afterword delves into the science behind the story and provides notes on this new translation, the first in over 50 years, and only the second in English. New translation by Jonathan Eeds. Generously illustrated by Culpeo S. Fox.

Prester John is an exceptionally entertaining example of an early 20th century adventure story. Its hero is a young Scotsman who travels to South Africa to make his fortune. Expecting to settle down to a quiet life as a storekeeper, he instead finds himself embroiled in a hotbed of social unrest and violence. Part mystery, part travelogue, part spy novel, part treasure hunt, it has all the makings of a crackling good read. It is firm proof that John Buchan (The Thirty-Nine Steps, Green-mantle, and so many other novels of intrigue) remains a storyteller of the first order. Prester John is a thrilling story, full of daring heroes and wondrous villains—a forgotten gem of early 20th Century literature