Prince Ishmael is an historical novel based on the legend of Caspar Hauser, a strange young man who mysteriously appeared at the gates of Nuremberg in the early part of the 19th century and almost as mysteriously died (Murder? Suicide? Natural death?) five years after his appearance. Rumours spread that he was a prince, a devil, an angel. Tales were told that he was the true heir to the throne of Baden. The very fact of his existence led to international incidents and almost to a major European war. By a feat of the highest literary imagination, Marianne Hauser has written his story as seen through his own eyes, a method which brings out the pantomime-like gaiety and sadness of Caspar, the terrible reality of his predicament existing in the delicious unreality of a fairytale setting.A Michael Joseph first edition from 1964, in generally very good condition. Dust jacket is present and intact with only light bumps and scuffs and some fading to spine. Pages are clean and binding is tight.