Traveller [Hardcover]

Richard Adams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 1988

Examines the events of the Civil War through the eyes of General Robert E. Lee's closest companion and devoted horse, Traveller.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Returning to an animal protagonist for the first time in 10 years, the author of the beloved Watership Down has come up with an ironic, revisionist view of the Civil War as seen by Robert E. Lee's horse, Traveller. Told as he and Lee live in quiet retirement, in a series of monologues directed at an amiable tomcat, Traveller's story depicts the war's battles, retreats and casualties from the naive perspective of a hero-worshipping servant to a great leader; down to the final surrender, Traveller's idealization of his rider doesn't allow him to recognize or even understand defeat. Fans of Adams's earlier novels will rejoice in his undiminished gift for conveying both the physical life and the interior essence of an animal. He makes Traveller a vivid, touching character, never merely a talking beast. But the author's depiction of human action is less convincing with repetitious, meandering delineations of encampments, advances and attacks that rob the tale of drama, reported in quaint Old South dialect that comes, unfortunately, straight from the horse's mouth. 50,000 first printing; BOMC alternate.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The Civil War has been viewed from almost every possible perspective, but Adams breaks new ground: a first-person narrative, in dialect, by Robert E. Lee's horse. Traveller's equine memoirs are told to a cat in the stable of the retired general. There is a twist to this central event in American history: Traveller is unaware that Lee lost. Although Adams's five previous novels were well received, the mythic clarity and enchantment of Watership Down or Shardik are missing here. Still, interest in the previous novels should create demand. BOMC alternate. Edwin B. Burgess, U.S. Army TRALINET Ctr., Fort Monroe, Va.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 269 pages
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf; 1st edition (May 12, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394570553
• ISBN-13: 978-0394570556
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #409,891 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard George Adams (born 9 May, 1920) is an English novelist who is best known as the author of Watership Down.

He originally began telling the story of Watership Down to his two daughters, and they insisted he publish it as a book. When Watership Down was finally published, it sold over a million copies in record time in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Watership Down has become a modern classic and won both the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 1972.

Richard Adams currently lives in Hampshire, England.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Civil War from Traveller's Point of View, May 15, 2002

By 

Ramona Honan "reviews-by-melva" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Traveller (Hardcover)

Naturally, my favorite Richard Adams' novel is Watership Down, but the next favorite has got to be this book, Traveller. It is the simple of a horse who lived through horrible times. But this horse does not know why - because for the simple reason - he is just a horse.

He tells (as only a horse can) of the Civil War (or is it the War of Aggression?). He does not know. He is a horse. He does not understand why men are doing these horrible things to each other. Why they are killing each other. Why there is so pain and blood. Why there is no food. No water.
His only concern is his owner, the tall man in grey. It is his duty to carry him safely everywhere and without fear. Traveller does enjoy despite the hardship when he is allowed to parade with his rider in front of the many men who cheer - are they cheering him or his rider. He wants to do a grand job whatever.

It also tells of the horse and his owner - the bond they had for each other. Traveller's wanting to do as good a job as he can for his owner because of this bond.

I really enjoyed this book as it tells of the war without taking sides. Of course, Traveller cannot take sides. He is just a horse, therefore, he can tell of the war without being prejudice to either side. Just the facts - all the blood, the gore and the questioning of why.

If you can get a copy of this book, read it. It is a great novel.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous! Traveller is way beyond creative..., August 30, 2003

By 

Jackie Tortorella - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Traveller (Hardcover)

Richard Adams' brilliant book Traveller is like his other animal novels only in that Traveller thinks and talks to us. This is more of a Civil War chronicle, told from the unique perspective of General Lee's famous horse. The history is not tampered with in the least. In fact, I think a strong familiarity with Civil War history and Robert E. Lee in particular is almost essential to a full appreciation of this book. The subtle nuances are there to delight the reader who recognizes them!

So many people have written about General Lee, and the battles fought. There is enough great nonfiction and fiction about this subject to keep an avid reader occupied for a good long time. But Richard Adams has found a way to bring something new to the Civil War...what an accomplishment!

If you have always been intrigued by the lore of Robert E. Lee, and can let your imagination run free, you are in for a tremendous treat. The story is still sad. The human suffering of the war is graphically portrayed, and the misery of the horses is given its due as well. I absolutely hated to approach the end of the book, because I knew how it had to end. But Adams' treatment of the end of the War and the end of Lee's life is perfect. In fact, the last sentence of the book by itself renders it worth your time.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the Horse's Mouth, October 10, 2005

By 

Ozark Trail Outrider (Jenks, OK) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Traveller (Hardcover)

I frequently recommend this book to just about anyone I run across with even half an interest in the American Civil War. It is a wonderful new way to see some of the significant events of the civil war as seen from a horse's perspective. And what better horse than "Traveller".

I will agree that it helps to have some knowledge of the comings and goings of the Army of Northern Virginia, or you will not have much idea of where you are and at what point during the war. Of course this is perfectly accurate as our horse narrator has no idea of place names. For those readers familiar with the Civil War, you will find yourself recognizing the events described by Traveller and come away with a unique perspective of these campaigns. Antietam and Wilderness will come quickly to the informed reader's mind as Traveller remembers the events of those dark days.

This story is unabashedly told from a Southern perspective (not in a revisionist way as the opening editorial review suggests). It is after all told by a Southern Horse.

Richard Adams will capture your imagination as you dwell at length on the relationship that a man and his horse shared during one of the most momentous times in our nation's history.

After reading the book, take a road trip to Lexington, VA and to the chapel at Washington and Lee College. Outside the entrance you will find a grave stone covered with coins and carrots. There you will find Traveller.