A BESTSELLING FRENCH SAGA SET IN AFRICA
MAKES U.S. DEBUT

Voted Favorite Novel By French Students; Awarded Prestigious
Prix Goncourt des Lycéens

"Like a magician, Gaude boils down to a magic potion the raw emotion of our most deeply-rooted fears and desires." - Le Monde

"…as in the works of Homer, passion ignites a war without end. This tour de force gives vital new life to an ancient form: the tragic epic." -- Le Nouvel Observateur

THE DEATH OF KING TSONGOR (Toby Press, October 29, 2003, Hardcover, $17.95) introduces the imposing character of King Tsongor, the all-powerful ruler of a vast African empire. After twenty years of successful war and conquest, he looks forward to his final years of peaceful and prosperous rule in his palace in the capital city of Massaba. The final preparations are being made for the marriage of his daughter to Kouame, the prince of the salt lands. Yet on the day of the wedding, in the midst of all the rejoicing and lavish displays of presents and decorations, a lone, mysterious rider appears to claim the hand of Tsongor's daughter. The unexpected rivalry between Kouame and Sango Kerim will lead to ferocious battles between the suitors and their armies that threaten the entire kingdom.

This unique, epic novel, winner of the Prix Goncourt des Lycéens, introduces us to an Africa of mythically tragic dimensions and to a writer of great evocative power and profound psychological insight.

A French novelist and playwright born in 1972, Laurent Gaude has written five plays and two novels, achieving great success and acclaim throughout Europe. The Death of King Tsongor, which was awarded the prestigious Prix Goncourt des Lycéens is his first work to be published in English. He lives in France.