Customer Reviews

The Low Road

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

James Lears's "The Low Road" takes place during the Jacobite Rebellion in Scotland not too long after the battle at Culloden. I went to Scotland just this past April and watched a graphic reinactment of the battle at Culloden and it was a terrible defeat of the Scots at the hands of the Red Coat Army. I walked the grounds where the battle took place, so this book really hit a special place for me, having been where this story takes place. I even stayed at Gordon Hall -which Im not sure is the same Gordon Hall as Lear suggests, but the description of the Gordon House is almost exactly like the apartment house where I stayed. It was so exciting for me when I read this book I actually howled with joy. N-E Way, I am a huge fan of James Lear's work, but this story just means so much more to me because of the knowledge and understanding that I have of this time period obtained during my trip.
Charles Edward Gordon is our star in this historic-fiction novel. It is told in the first person, from his point of view, with and interesting technique that Lear uses to include another first person perspective from Lear's other character Benoit Lebecque. An 18 year old Scotich Adonis and young Lord of Gordon Hall, Charles begins a steaming relationship with Alexander -the Hall's 24year old stable groom. In the beginning the relationship is perfect but as events unfold and things change the story picks up and exciting momentum. The intoxicating sexuality, and near overpowering masculinity of these characters grips the reader to such an extent that just when you are ready to put the book down and stretch your legs you can't, for there is yet more to come -literally. James Lear (whom I have coined the Marquis de Sade of the 21st century) does not let us down as the deliciously graphic sexuality is placed perfectly along side the equally titilating story. Barn-Floor Copulation, Onanism by candle-light, a number of prison sex descriptions that (for me) were a little odd, a bar-room gang bang, sexaul abuse and orgies on a barge, a dinner(sex)party with several soldiers and cross dressing that leads to even more adventure, James Lear knows how to keep the mind of his readers interested (and I barely scraped the top). Intelligent and erotically arousing, the blend of emotions is intense as this story takes place during an actual historic event -it just makes the fiction feel extremely factual. I was a little upset with the relationship shift between Charles and Alexander, but Lear made up for it in the end. Another Homerun for a great artist. Thanks again Mr.Lear, my next adventure will be at The Palace of Varieties.

If you are the kind of person that happens to love mystery novels and also gay literature, James Lear is definitely the author you were looking for. This great writer combines both of them in the most magnificent way. His books are not only entertaining but also easy to read. I love all his books.

Actually a pretty good book, the sex scenes were great and the content of the story was good and even believable. Great book!

Young Charles Gordon reaches adulthood ignorant of his family's heroic past in the Jacobite Rebellion.He sets out to discover the truth about his father, but instead is kidnapped by mercenaries and sold into near-slavery as the plaything of a set of corrupt military officials.
But Charlie's talents, both in bed and out of it,win him powerful friends and dangerous foes.
a well told story,good sex

I enjoyed this book so much that I purchased every book that I could find written by the author; this is one of my favorite books by the author. The book has an extremely well written storyline and I greatly enjoyed reading about the interaction between each of the major and minor characters. I have never enjoyed reading about the American Civil War, however, the author was able to capture my attention in this book. I highly recommend this novel; even-though it is a fictional account of the American Civil War, it is an exceptional account of the interaction between two men from opposite sides finding happiness together.

I should have known better. Although it's said you can't tell a book by its cover...in the case of "The Low Road", I should have trusted my better instincts. The cover is a dead give-away. I love period fiction and I enjoy gay literature, but this book is neither. It's nothing more than the gay equivalent of a smutty bodice ripper -- all longing and panting. It was all I could do to get through the first chapter before tossing this ridiculous book into the recycle bin.