COMPLETE SHORT STORIES

Quality hardback with marbled endpapers and satin pagemarker in 2023 HarperCollins first edition with an introduction by Nikolai Tolstoy. Patrick O'Brian is acclaimed as one of the greatest historical novelists of the 20th century known throughout the world for his Aubrey-Maturin series, but he was also a celebrated writer of short stories, and it is in this form that he first made his mark. Encompassing stories written in his unvarnished youth to tales told by a seasoned traveller, this is the most comprehensive collection ever published, overflowing with riches and containing more than 60 tales including rarities, uncollected works and forgotten jewels that have been out of print for decades. There are stories of supernatural curiosities, the wonders of the natural world, friendship and adventure and even a pitiless vision of the disintegration of personality when a living creature is struggling in a hostile world. O'Brian was born in 1914 and published his first book when he was only 15. This edition contains an introduction by his stepson Nikolai Tolstoy and is going to be a favourite on your bookcase to dip into for the sheer pleasure of this quality of writing. Also includes 20 children's stories including Giant Panda and The Snow Leopard. 563 glamorous pages, 15.9 x 4.2 x 24cm.