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ckitchel27's review against another edition
3.0
Would be 3.5 or 3.75 if possible. Story is a tad repetitive and the end feels rushed. Fascinating time period with a lot of deep research embedded.
jessicaone0's review
5.0
This book is easily five stars. I have so many favorite lines in it that I have actually underlined in the book that if I were to share them this review would go on forever. It's a real shame that L'Amour passed away before he could write the other two books he was planning with this character. I don't normally reread books but I could definitely seem myself rereading this one. I am ashamed to say I always thought of Louis L'Amour as a hokey western writer. Well, it's been my loss because this book could only be written by someone who was probably verging on being a genius. It's incredible, and if his western books are half as well written I may have found myself a new favorite writer. The characters and setting were so real that I found myself dreaming about this book upon falling asleep at night. I really can't say enough good things about it. Highly recommend!
isauldur's review
2.0
Have you ever read a book that was so dense you'd have to pause your reading every page and give yourself time to absorb what you just read before moving on? This book was the opposite of that. It lacked any weight, any gravitas, any heft at all. Even the pulp-magazines of the 20s and 30s had heftier writing than The Walking Drum, and they were meant to be more expendable.
This novel, unlike L'Amour's westerns, has little sense of setting, scale or spectacle. The main character is travelling the world on a quest to find his father, but at no point do we get any indication that the cities in Spain are different from those in the Byzantine Empire. There is no description of landscapes, geography, architecture, culture, customs, tradition, layout, planning and only the barest hint of description of attire. I suppose I expected more from a historical epic, even if it was supposed to be a swashbuckling novel of adventure and travel.
For the first 70 pages, we (and by we, I mean the protagonist, Kerbouchard, who is also the narrator) are confined to a ship. We don't know what kind of ship, or where it came from, or what it looks like, or anything about it except that it has rowers and sails. The rest of the settings in the novel are the same way. They're so superficially mentioned (not even described, really) that the backgrounds are as paper-thin as the props used in a bad stage play.
The action is also superficial. An adventure comes and goes, and the protagonist conveniently comes out the other end without a scratch. In fact, he comes out better off than before. The close calls aren't that close, not really, and because the settings are so flat, the characters are left running from one place to the other screaming and making a lot of noise and acting like it's a big battle.
This type of novel isn't L'Amour's forte, and it shows. I never thought I'd miss the lengthy, almost pedantic, descriptions of the minutiae of daily life in 12th Century Cadiz, Spain. But here, they're sorely absent. Really, the best word I can use to describe the novel is "superficial." It's a superficial plot with a superficial setting. It's too light for its own good, despite being longer than most of L'Amour's other novels.
This novel, unlike L'Amour's westerns, has little sense of setting, scale or spectacle. The main character is travelling the world on a quest to find his father, but at no point do we get any indication that the cities in Spain are different from those in the Byzantine Empire. There is no description of landscapes, geography, architecture, culture, customs, tradition, layout, planning and only the barest hint of description of attire. I suppose I expected more from a historical epic, even if it was supposed to be a swashbuckling novel of adventure and travel.
For the first 70 pages, we (and by we, I mean the protagonist, Kerbouchard, who is also the narrator) are confined to a ship. We don't know what kind of ship, or where it came from, or what it looks like, or anything about it except that it has rowers and sails. The rest of the settings in the novel are the same way. They're so superficially mentioned (not even described, really) that the backgrounds are as paper-thin as the props used in a bad stage play.
The action is also superficial. An adventure comes and goes, and the protagonist conveniently comes out the other end without a scratch. In fact, he comes out better off than before. The close calls aren't that close, not really, and because the settings are so flat, the characters are left running from one place to the other screaming and making a lot of noise and acting like it's a big battle.
This type of novel isn't L'Amour's forte, and it shows. I never thought I'd miss the lengthy, almost pedantic, descriptions of the minutiae of daily life in 12th Century Cadiz, Spain. But here, they're sorely absent. Really, the best word I can use to describe the novel is "superficial." It's a superficial plot with a superficial setting. It's too light for its own good, despite being longer than most of L'Amour's other novels.
sophiarose1816's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
When one picks up a Louis L'Amour book, nine times out of ten this will be a western. However, this is not always the case and in this instance, an epic historical fiction following a young man coming of age in the 12th century medieval world was entertaining and informative.
The dark lands of Northern Europe was home to a boy raised by a Druidic Celtic mother and a sea-fairing corsair father until the day a brigand baron sees the father is away and takes their land and kills his mother. Kerbouchard vows revenge and escapes.
First, he is taken by small time pirates in a coastal vessel as a galley slave to escape and spend time in Moorish Spain as a scholar and adventurer. A damsel in distress has him on the run. Another damsel takes him in and gives him a new start before her dangerous intrigue work has them on the run and taking up with a powerful merchant band who wind their way through Europe to the Steppes of Russia and south. The Byzantines are another intriguing lot and he finally faces off with the dreaded Assassins and their stronghold. All along the way, while Kerbouchard learns of the people, places, and what they knew in that part of the world at that time, so does the reader. What he learns most of all is that what he knows may be his salvation as adventure comes to him often.
There is a driving point to the plot, but the story meanders along in an epic journey to get there. Kerbouchard meets many people fictional and historical. He learns a true appreciation for the scholarly endeavors and enlightenment of the Arab world particularly in Moorish Spain where culture and learning are at their height in thee West while Christian Europe is still buried in darkness, academically. There are plenty of action scenes and I was amused that young Kerbouchard got into most of his trouble when a beautiful woman was around. He is drawn to strong women with brilliant minds, but moves on with little reluctance as the adventure of the road and his quest to find and free his father is his motivation.
I loved The Walking Drum, but like so many of the author's books, there isn't a satisfying denouement. When the main conflict is over, the book comes to a stop. In this case, I get what the author was doing. Kerbouchard is young and he has a quest, but much of his life is before him as is a large portion of unseen and unexplored world. He might fall into love, but his deepest love is the unknown and learning it- following the Walking Drum.
John Curless was a new to me narrator, but he was brilliant and voiced so many diverse characters well. Kerbouchard encounters so many of the world's people so that was a tall order. The tone of the scenes whether action or reflection were pitch perfect.
All I could wonder in the end was 'wow, when did L'Amour find the time to research this one among all his other great stories?' because the historical facts and details were amazing. Historical adventure fans should really give this one a go.
The dark lands of Northern Europe was home to a boy raised by a Druidic Celtic mother and a sea-fairing corsair father until the day a brigand baron sees the father is away and takes their land and kills his mother. Kerbouchard vows revenge and escapes.
First, he is taken by small time pirates in a coastal vessel as a galley slave to escape and spend time in Moorish Spain as a scholar and adventurer. A damsel in distress has him on the run. Another damsel takes him in and gives him a new start before her dangerous intrigue work has them on the run and taking up with a powerful merchant band who wind their way through Europe to the Steppes of Russia and south. The Byzantines are another intriguing lot and he finally faces off with the dreaded Assassins and their stronghold. All along the way, while Kerbouchard learns of the people, places, and what they knew in that part of the world at that time, so does the reader. What he learns most of all is that what he knows may be his salvation as adventure comes to him often.
There is a driving point to the plot, but the story meanders along in an epic journey to get there. Kerbouchard meets many people fictional and historical. He learns a true appreciation for the scholarly endeavors and enlightenment of the Arab world particularly in Moorish Spain where culture and learning are at their height in thee West while Christian Europe is still buried in darkness, academically. There are plenty of action scenes and I was amused that young Kerbouchard got into most of his trouble when a beautiful woman was around. He is drawn to strong women with brilliant minds, but moves on with little reluctance as the adventure of the road and his quest to find and free his father is his motivation.
I loved The Walking Drum, but like so many of the author's books, there isn't a satisfying denouement. When the main conflict is over, the book comes to a stop. In this case, I get what the author was doing. Kerbouchard is young and he has a quest, but much of his life is before him as is a large portion of unseen and unexplored world. He might fall into love, but his deepest love is the unknown and learning it- following the Walking Drum.
John Curless was a new to me narrator, but he was brilliant and voiced so many diverse characters well. Kerbouchard encounters so many of the world's people so that was a tall order. The tone of the scenes whether action or reflection were pitch perfect.
All I could wonder in the end was 'wow, when did L'Amour find the time to research this one among all his other great stories?' because the historical facts and details were amazing. Historical adventure fans should really give this one a go.
jtroilo's review
adventurous
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kaelag's review
4.0
Louis L'Amour, best known for his American westerns, recounts the 12th-century escapades of Mathurin Kerbouchard, a clever young Celtic man ravenous for adventure, knowledge, and passion while on a personal mission to discover his father’s fate (and save him, should he still be alive). His sweeping journey takes him to Córdoba, a city renowned for its enlightenment at the time, through Europe and the Russian steppes to Constantinople and Persia.
~~~~~~~~~~
This book was some good swashbuckling fun! It is so over the top, and Kerbouchard nearly faultless, but if you go in expecting and embracing this for the genre it is, it is quite enjoyable. Kerbouchard is a protagonist you want to root for because he’s so full of life and heart. The book has a good many quotes and lines that had me laughing out loud as well.
“
~~~~~~~~~~
This book was some good swashbuckling fun! It is so over the top, and Kerbouchard nearly faultless, but if you go in expecting and embracing this for the genre it is, it is quite enjoyable. Kerbouchard is a protagonist you want to root for because he’s so full of life and heart. The book has a good many quotes and lines that had me laughing out loud as well.
“
llkendrick's review
5.0
Loved this book! It was one that I couldn't put down at all. Kerbouchard is the Jack Bauer of the 12th century. If you're looking for an action-packed book, you'll love this one! Oh, and it's one of Louis L'Amour's non-westerns, so don't let the author's name throw you off.
Thank you Diane for recommending this to me!
Thank you Diane for recommending this to me!
girljames's review
3.0
Unlikable protagonist and schmaltzy prose. This book is 98% sexist, sentimental dross.
Case in point, coz I'm bored:
And the beauty of Tabriz? [I hadn't asked about it, but sure, go ahead.] To the north, south and east were reddish, orange-shaded hills [the hills were what? reddish AND orange-shaded? - really driving this super important point home, thanks], brilliant in contrast to the lush green of orchard and garden. [Impossible to read those last couple phrases without fancying yourself some kind of second-rate philosophical minstrel, isn't it?]
To this city I had come [yes, I am following the plot, thank you], I, Mathurin Kerbouchard [get your hand off it, Daryl], now known as ibn-Ibrahim, physician, scholar, pilgrim to the holy places of Islam.
My word.
Case in point, coz I'm bored:
And the beauty of Tabriz? [I hadn't asked about it, but sure, go ahead.] To the north, south and east were reddish, orange-shaded hills [the hills were what? reddish AND orange-shaded? - really driving this super important point home, thanks], brilliant in contrast to the lush green of orchard and garden. [Impossible to read those last couple phrases without fancying yourself some kind of second-rate philosophical minstrel, isn't it?]
To this city I had come [yes, I am following the plot, thank you], I, Mathurin Kerbouchard [get your hand off it, Daryl], now known as ibn-Ibrahim, physician, scholar, pilgrim to the holy places of Islam.
My word.
rainydaydreamer's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book is intriguing from a plot structure perspective. As far as an active plot, it wanders considerably, so I would say the theme is more central than the action. There is plenty of action, don't get me wrong, but the thing that holds the story together is more of an idea or ideas than a structured conflict.