The Man Who Would Be King

In this gripping tale of ambition, hubris, and imperial adventure, Rudyard Kipling takes us deep into the heart of 19th-century British India — and beyond, to the remote and mysterious land of Kafiristan. When two bold and cunning ex-soldiers, Daniel Dravot and Peachey Carnehan, hatch a plan to become kings of an isolated region untouched by Western influence, they embark on a journey as daring as it is reckless.

What begins as a quest for power and riches quickly becomes something far more dangerous, as legend, belief, and identity collide. Told through the eyes of a journalist who hears their story firsthand, The Man Who Would Be King is a darkly compelling exploration of colonial arrogance, human ambition, and the fine line between myth and madness.

This classic novella, brought vividly to life in a new audio performance, remains as powerful and thought-provoking today as when it was first published in 1888.

Cover photo by Jose Manuel Gonzalez Lupiañez Photography: https://www.pexels.com/photo/lightning-bolt-over-a-dark-sky-with-trees-in-the-background-28103646/

© 2025 Riveting Publishing (Audiobook): 9798318459931

Release date

Audiobook: 1 August 2025