"I saw a herd of unicorns today. I write this in full possession of my sense." So begins the short story The Unicorn Expedition by the great Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray, featuring Professor Shanku story, one of a series which reflect "my love of [Jules] Verne and [J.G.] Wells and [Sir Arthur] Conan Doyle whose works I read as a schoolboy."

Ray continues in The Unicorn Expedition: "I have a book open before me on my desk which is about the ancient civilisation of Mohenjo-daro. Apart from the pottery, toys, figurines and ornaments, diggings at Mohenjo-daro have revealed a large number of rectangular clay and ivory seals bearing carvings of, amongst other things, animals such as elephants, tigers, bulls and rhinoceroses. In addition to these familiar animals, there are representations of a beast unknown to us. It is shown as a bull-like creature with a single curved horn growing out of its forehead. Archaeologists have taken it to be a creature of fantasy, although I see no point in depicting an imaginary creature when all the others are real. In addition to these familiar animals, there are representations of a beast unknown to us. It is shown as a bull-like creature with a single curved horn growing out of its forehead. Archaeologists have taken it to be a creature of fantasy, although I see no point in depicting an imaginary creature when all the others shown are real."

An excellent collection, with stories about Indigo, the Raj and Professor Shonku's exploits. Ray was also a very popular detective story writer and is able to bring a story and character to life in a few short paragraphs. There is also a Penguin Indian edition of Professor Shonku stories in which The Unicorn Expedition appears.

Hardcover: 190 pages
Publisher: Dutton Adult (July 6, 1987)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0525245448
ISBN-13: 978-0525245445
Product Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 20 inches
Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces