Loot

Loot is a richly detailed historical novel set in the eighteenth century, blending a hero’s quest, a love story, and the journey of a young artist discovering his craft. Abbas, a talented woodcarver, is drawn into the service of Tipu Sultan to build a magnificent tiger automaton, only to see his world upended by war and colonialism. His fate intertwines with the automaton’s as he travels across continents, seeking to reclaim what was lost. The novel is praised for its expert plotting and deep emotional resonance, exploring themes of war, displacement, and the elusive nature of art and identity. /n/n The story follows Abbas as he works alongside the renowned French clockmaker Lucien du Leze, learning French and falling in love with Jehanne, the daughter of a French expatriate. When Abbas finally travels to Europe, he finds himself on a mission to retrieve the stolen tiger automaton from an English estate, a journey that mirrors the broader historical and personal upheavals of the time. The novel is celebrated for its inventive storytelling and its poignant exploration of the human cost of colonialism and war.