Gondar is the exotic, fantastic story of the struggle for control of the fabled 19th-century Abyssinian kingdom. Richly created and lushly told, it is peopled with unforgettable characters both real and imaginary, set in an Africa of violence, spectacle and romance.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This sweeping novel of 19th century Abyssinia takes the reader from the royal palace at Gondar, the ancient capital, to the coastal slave markets and the horrors of the ships that carried human cargo to the New World. In addition, there's a side journey to Scotland and the infamous Highland Clearances when the peasantry were forced off the land to make way for sheep. Rachel, heir to Gondar, is forced to flee her kingdom when an evil priest, Abba Salama, joins forces with the ruler of the neighboring Galla to invade her country. She is aided in her travels by Toomi, child of the ruler of Malinda, another neighboring kingdom, who, with her twin brother Mamkinga, had been stolen by slavers as children. The two girls roam North Africa seeking Mamkinga, pursued by Abba Salama's men. Intertwined with their story is that of Jamie Oran, a young Scotsman orphaned in the Clearances who as a boy was fired with a wild enthusiasm for Africa by Dr. Livingstone's wife. Eventually he joins an expedition seeking the source of the Nile. How these protagonists unite to defeat Abba Salama forms the basis of this colorful epic that depicts many facets of African history. Although he sometimes takes liberties with Abyssinian history, in this first novel British writer Luard provides sex, violence, horror, beauty and love in a well written and very readable mix. Major ad/promo; paperback rights to Pocket Books.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gondar is superb,
By puppet (Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Gondar (Board book)
From the very first page Luard captivates the reader with his vivid and passionate portrayal of royal intrigue and sheer adventure. The tale begins in ancient Abyssinia where the queen of the nile is impregnated via sinister and mysterious means. She lives in affluent splendour among lust and savagery. In a neighbouring kingdom, the author invites us to witness the kidnapping of the royal twins Toomi and Mamkinga. As Luard's intricate tapestry unfolds, we follow the twins' separation and painfully unjust descent into slavery. Their journeys are wrought with countless horrific events embedded in the constant longing each twin feels for being reunited with the other half of their being. Powerful and viscious figures forever loom in the shadows of this richly depicited tale, including the brutal arab Acab Saat, who is to be the dagger that attempts to shred the very fabric of Africa's kingdoms. Throughout Luard's epic we also delve into the faraway shores of Ireland, where Jamie Oran surpasses his devastating past to venture into Africa, and finds his destiny at the source of the nile. Luard has a talent for relentlessly drawing the reader into the story until they gasp for breath, eyes bulging in wonderment at the brutality humankind is capable of in the context of this historical and cultural landscape. At times i was convinced that Luard must have lived in Africa to write with such vision and complexity about this exotic realm. Although the journey extends from Africa to the United Kingdom, Luard is consistent in the integrity and resilience that is found in our heroes, and the same demonic cruelty in our villains. His statements about human nature are constant: insecurity and lust make for a dangerous combination. The characters' heartwrenching struggles are upsetting in their realism, yet are essential components of Luard's image of an epic battle for freedom and love.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A masterpiece!,
By
This review is from: Gondar (Board book)
Gondar is a pleasant suprise that I found while roaming my father's bookshelves. You won't be let down. A great storyteller, Luard glues your eyes to the pages, using words as his only adhesive. A must read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
old-fashioned swashbuckling adventure!,
By
This review is from: Gondar (Board book)
the ingredients of this epic adventure novel: two royal african twins sold into slavery,a beautiful princess fleeing from a evil priest who takes over her land and daring young scottish adventurer who aids her.This novel has all the ingredients of classic epic adventure story with raiders of the lost ark style action,old-fashioned heroes and ravishing romance!I hope the author writes again because he has alot of talent!
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