Medieval Historical Fiction Novel of the Week
The Walking Drum
Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Bantam (April 1, 1985)
Average Customer Review on Amazon: 4.5 stars (81 reviews)
Product Description:
Here is an historic adventure of extraordinary power waiting to sweep you away to exotic lands as one of the most popular writers of our time conquers new storytelling worlds. Louis L’Amour has been best known for his ability to capture the spirit and drama of the authentic American West. Now he guides his readers to an even more distant frontier — the enthralling lands of the 12th century.
At the center of The Walking Drum is Kerbouchard, one of L’Amour’s greatest heroes. Warrior, lover, scholar, Kerbouchard is a daring seeker of knowledge and fortune bound on a journey of enormous challenge, danger and revenge. Across the Europe, the Russian steppes and through the Byzantine wonder of Constantinople, gateway to Asia, Kerbouchard is thrust into the heart of the treacheries, passions, violence and dazzling wonders of a magnificent time. From castle to slave gallery, from sword-racked battlefields to a princess’s secret chamber, and ultimately, to the impregnable fortress of the Valley of Assassins, The Walking Drum is a powerful adventure of an ancient world you will find every bit as riveting as Louis L’Amour’s stories of the American West.
From the Publisher:
Here is an historic adventure of extraordinary power waiting to sweep you away to exotic lands as one of the most popular writers of our time conquers new storytelling worlds. Louis L’Amour has been best known for his ability to capture the spirit and drama of the authentic American West. Now he guides his readers to an even more distant frontier — the enthralling lands of the 12th century.
At the center of The Walking Drum is Kerbouchard, one of L’Amour’s greatest heroes. Warrior, lover, scholar, Kerbouchard is a daring seeker of knowledge and fortune bound on a journey of enormous challenge, danger and revenge. Across the Europe, the Russian steppes and through the Byzantine wonder of Constantinople, gateway to Asia, Kerbouchard is thrust into the heart of the treacheries, passions, violence and dazzling wonders of a magnificent time. From castle to slave gallery, from sword-racked battlefields to a princess’s secret chamber, and ultimately, to the impregnable fortress of the Valley of Assassins, The Walking Drum is a powerful adventure of an ancient world you will find every bit as riveting as Louis L’Amour’s stories of the American West.
Westerns not being my thing, I have never read a Louis L’Amour novel before. But having enjoyed other books you’ve recommended here, I gave this one a shot.
Bottom line: I really liked it.
I felt that L’Amour did a good job of moving the plot along and I enjoyed the wide scope of the book’s locations.
While I thought the setting and situations are written well, I can’t say I think much of the way L’Amour’s writes his characters. Most of the minor characters are pretty one-dimensional and his female characters are largely interchangeable. Kerbouchard himself seems like he was written as a teenager’s ideal Dungeon’s and Dragons character: He has great physical abilities and a wide range of knowledge and skills (and is good at them all). On top of that, he is incredibly attractive to beautiful women.
All in all, I found this a very fun read, despite the unbelievable protagonist. If you’re looking for some good adventure ideas for your role-playing game, you’ll find plenty here to like.
It is quite a departure for L’Amour, moving from Westerns to the Middle Ages. I thought it odd when I first came across this novel, much like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The White Company.” Thanks for your feedback. You give some nice insight into the plot and characters.