A dandy story for all horse lovers and worthy rival to Marguerite Henry's enormously successful King of the Wind . Ms. Henry based her story on this very book, written in 1846 by French author and sportsman Eugene Sue. Here now is Alex de Jonge's immensely readable translation of the original tale an imaginative mixture of fact and legend recreating the life of the Godolphin Arabian and his constant companion, Grimalkin the cat.
Joseph Marie Eugène Sue (20 January 1804 – 3 August 1857) was a French novelist. He was born in Paris, the son of a distinguished surgeon in Napoleon's army, and is said to have had the Empress Joséphine for godmother. Sue himself acted as surgeon both in the Spanish campaign undertaken by France in 1823 and at the Battle of Navarino (1828). In 1829 his father's death put him in possession of a considerable fortune, and he settled in Paris. A street in Paris is named for Eugene Sue, in the 18th Arrondissement: Rue Eugene Sue is located near the Poissonnière Metro station, and is not far from Montmartre and the Basilica of the Sacré Coeur.
Originally written in 1846, this is the fictionalised story of The Godolphin Arabian, one of the founding sires of the modern thoroughbred. It is only a small little book about the horse, an mute Arab groom devoted to him and the cat that always kept him company.
As far as I can tell, the groom was made up, but there was actually a cat that went wherever the horse went.
This was such a delightfully told story. A simple, but effective tale about hardship and ultimate glory and the groom’s unshakeable belief in the horse he loves.
The translator adapted the story slightly and corrected some facts, which he explains in the foreword. I have not read the original of course, as I don’t know enough French, but this translated version reads very well.
If you are into horses at all, read this little gem. It’s worth the couple of hours it takes to read and it will put a smile on your face. The fact that it is based on a horse that actually existed and ended up being so important is a bonus.
From persecution to glory! This is an incredible story of one loyal, dedicated man, his horse who never lost his spirit or love and trust for his caretaker, and an amazing cat.
The Godolphin Arabian by Eugène Sue translated by Alex de Jonge
This book written in originally in French in 1846. It's the story of a horse, a cat and a mute Arab man. The good times and the really bad times. This is the book Marguerite Henry used for her research for "King of the Wind". 152 pages Hardcover