Ishmael

One of the most beloved and bestselling novels of spiritual adventure ever published, Ishmael by Daniel Quinn has garnered a passionate following among readers and critics alike. This special twenty-fifth anniversary edition features a new foreword and afterword by the author, as well as an excerpt from My Ishmael.

The story begins with a seemingly simple, three-line ad in the personals section of a newspaper: "Teacher Seeks Pupil. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person." This cryptic message launches the protagonist on a transformative intellectual journey. He finds himself engaging in profound conversations with Ishmael, a wise and philosophical gorilla, who becomes an unexpected but enlightening mentor. Through their dialogues, Ishmael challenges the man's understanding of humanity's origins, its role in the world, and its ecological responsibilities.

Ishmael, which received the Turner Tomorrow Fellowship for the best work of fiction offering positive solutions to global problems, is renowned for its originality and depth. Daniel Quinn masterfully explores how humanity's cultural myths and narratives have shaped our relationship with nature and the planet. This thought-provoking novel encourages readers to rethink their worldviews and consider how they can contribute to saving the Earth from the self-destructive tendencies of human civilisation.

Beyond Ishmael, readers can continue their journey with Quinn's intriguing follow-ups in the spiritual Ishmael trilogy: My Ishmael and The Story of B. Each book delves deeper into the themes of interconnectivity, environmental stewardship, and the quest for a sustainable future.

Praise for Ishmael:

"A thoughtful, fearlessly low-key novel about the role of our species on the planet... laid out for us with an originality and a clarity that few would deny." - The New York Times Book Review

"As suspenseful, inventive, and socially urgent as any fiction or nonfiction you are likely to read this or any other year." - The Austin Chronicle

"Before we're halfway through this slim book... we are in Daniel Quinn's grip, we want Ishmael to teach us how to save the planet from ourselves. We want to change our lives." - The Washington Post

"Arthur Koestler, in an essay in which he wondered whether mankind would go the way of the dinosaur, formulated what he called the Dinosaur's Prayer: 'Lord, a little more time!' Ishmael does its bit to answer that prayer and may just possibly have bought us all a little more time." - Los Angeles Times