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Loot

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A toymaker, a stolen tiger and an unforgettable journey.

WONDER
Under orders from the ruler of Mysore, young toymaker Abbas has created a spectacular mechanical tiger, unlike anything the world has ever seen.

LOVE
Abbas’s achievement opens up the opportunity of a new life, but most importantly it leads him to Jehane, a determined young woman with ambitions of her own.

WAR
When British soldiers ransack the city in April 1799, Abbas’s precious creation is looted, lost to the Empire. Now he and Jehane must embark on an extraordinary quest across the seas to Europe, to reclaim his legacy.

'Loot held me spellbound from the first page...an expertly-plotted, deeply affecting novel ' Maggie O’Farrell

‘A cinematic novel of empire, colonialism and romance’ Guardian

‘Vivid and witty’ Observer

‘Highly recommended’ Mail on Sunday

©2024 Tania James (P)2024 Penguin Audio

 Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction

Critic reviews

Strongly recommending this exquisitely crafted and rich historical story to everyone I know . . . Tania James has created such a visceral, powerful story that it felt like I was in a time travelling machine (Nikita Gill)
Loot held me spellbound from the first page. This is an expertly-plotted, deeply affecting novel about war, displacement, emigration, and an elusive mechanical tiger. (Maggie O’Farrell)
A novel of wonder and terror and beauty - I was completely captivated by it. (Kamila Shamsie)
Richly researched and full of heart, LOOT is a beautifully crafted novel, artfully realised and deeply compelling. Abbas and Jehanne (and Rum!) are captivating characters who positively leap from the pages, and I felt bereft when their story came to an end. I just loved it. (Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of Pandora)
All stars
Most relevant
A well written story with compelling characters and a page turning plot. I enjoyed the teacher / student relationship between Abbas and Lucien and the theme of looking forward.

An engaging tale of friendship and displacement

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So well told. Revealed a portion of Indian colonial history I didn't know much about, but did it in such a personal way, via the story of the protagonist. Heard rending, heart warming and enriching, all at the same time.

Enlightening

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From page one I was hooked. A delightful fictional story set around Tipu’s Tiger and the road that this artefact sets the three main principle characters was an absolute joy to listen to and lose myself in,

Heartwarming

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Meticulously narrated, this story tells a thrilling and engaging tale about the origins of an automaton and its creators. India, France, England and time on the sea…really wonderful.

Engaging storytelling

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Enjoyed the characterisation and some very amusing observations of the human condition. Overall excellent. Highly recommend

Wonderful plot with inter historical context

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