The Lonesome Gods: A Novel (1984) - Plot & Excerpts
I read The Lonesome Gods because it was recommended in A Thomas Jefferson Education as one of five books to start one’s classic library. The reviews claimed it was Louis L’Amour’s biggest and most important historical novel. That may be true, but it didn’t measure up to the level of classic literature. The coming-to-manhood of Johannes Verne is reflected in the story’s setting: the mid 1840s, as Los Angeles grows from a sleepy Mexican town to a major West Coast trading center. Young Verne crosses the dangerous western desert with his dying father and others in a wagon headed to California, where he will be put in the care of his grandfather. The grandfather, is also seeking the boy and his father with the intent to kill them both. He succeeds in killing the father, then leaves young Johannes in the desert to die. With the help of Indians, trappers, and renegades, Johannes survives and learns that the desert is a beautiful place for those who have the patience and strength to learn its secrets. He is self-educated, pouring over the small library of classic books his father left him. I believe this is why the book was so highly recommended by the Thomas Jefferson Education folks. He continues his education in Los Angeles under the protection of the savvy Miss Nesselrode, who had come across the desert in that first wagon with him. Fights at school and evading his grandfather mean that he must always be proving his courage and his resourcefulness. His mantra is “I am Jules Verne. I am not afraid.” And he always does the necessary thing.I was expecting a rugged, boy-becomes-man story from Louis L’Amour, and in that I was not disappointed. Courage, quick thinking, determination, overcoming fear, developing strength of body and mind, honor, saving the day and the girl – developing true grit – this was all there, well developed, and worth exploring. I was expecting to discover these things on my own, and in that I was disappointed. L’Amour wanted to make sure I understood his agenda, and so he repeated it. Often. Almost ad nauseum. Strike one for “classic” status. Symbolism is not absent, especially in names; the most obvious example is Johannes, son of Zachary, (what other John, son of Zacharias, lived in the desert on locusts and honey?) and Verne (tough, gritty, adventuresome, honorable, like the French author). But the symbolism is surface level, not woven skillfully into the fabric of the work; strike two. I expected to be changed by the book, to learn about myself as I learned about the characters, to identify with someone, to want to become something more. These expectations were met more on the level of young adult literature, not strong adult literature, and certainly not classic literature. A “classic” can be classified thus because it breaks new ground, even if it isn’t especially well-written – like Wilkie Collins’ The Moonstone. I didn’t see how this book tried something new and daring. It was a good historical fiction that started well, slowed in the middle, and had a gripping many-faceted climax. It was definitely a clean book – my husband and three teens read it at the same time. It’s a good, solid western with static stock characters (you always know who the bad guys are – nobody changes sides) and a classic, shoot-em-up showdown between the good guys and the bad guys. But not a classic – and not for everyone.
This book was not just a cowboy, shoot ‘em up story, but if it weren’t an assignment, I don’t know if I would have read it. My sister said it was a book for old men! If you have children that you want to grow up with a strong moral character and the best education they can possibly get, this book is a must read. It is a model for an excellent education. Louis L’Amour makes it clear that history taught in public schools is not accurate, pointing out that Christopher Columbus only “discovered” a land that has been inhabited and discovered for centuries before he came along. The main character Johannes had an intelligent father and he was driven to learn from classic literature all that he could and was on a quest to become a man of character through his life experiences and choices. He killed a lot of men, but only in self-defense and in defense of what he stood for. Like his father, he wanted to learn more of how government works so he could become a great citizen and be a part of what Los Angeles could become. At the age of 3 his parents were reading him literature that most American parents wouldn’t even consider reading to their kids and probably have a hard time understanding themselves! Johannes’ life wasn’t driven by revenge mainly because he read books which expanded his mind. Through characters he read about, he gained compassion and understanding from his enemy’s perspective. He didn’t have a lot of life experience that would teach him that compassion and he could have spiraled into misery just focusing on avenging his father’s death.The mystery giant who read a lot of books and built the house of Tahquitz was one of my favorite characters. He was misunderstood by most people, he loved learning and gleaned knowledge from literature like “The Illiad” and he had a passion for creating beauty with his hands. The main theme of this book seems to be, discovering what your mission and passion in life is through a great education and making wise choices.
What do You think about The Lonesome Gods: A Novel (1984)?
I rarely give one star, unless I can’t even finish a book. I finished this, but only because it was a book club pick and I bought the book, so I was determined to push through. This just had nothing for me. As it started I was so frustrated because the dialogue was almost unnaturally deep-thinking and poetic and the prose was completely flat and lifeless. All of the characters and relationships were completely underdeveloped. I had no connection to any of it. About midway through when they were out rounding up horses I kept having to stop and asking myself who was talking, because none of the characters took on a distinct personality. They all blended together. Finally I thought, who cares who’s talking, let’s just get this over with. I took a speed reading class once. I rarely use what I learned because I like to savor words, but I needed that old skill here. I had already been stuck in this one too long, and I was very relieved when I came out the other side.
—Julie
Some people probably think Louis L'Amour was an okay writer if you like cowboy stories. Actually, he was an amazing and wonderful writer, and he was also extremely well-educated and knowledgeable about world history. He wasn't awarded the US National Gold Medal and the Medal of Freedom for nothing. More than 300 million of his books have been printed, and they have been translated into several other languages and sold all over the world.This story starts with six-year-old Johannes Verne's narrative as he travels west with his father in a lone wagon. Most people travel in wagon trains because it's safer to do so, but the boy's father is dying, and doesn't have time to wait for the next wagon train to be organized. Johannes' mother passed away sometime previously, and Johannes' only living family member is his grandfather, Don Ysidro, who lives in Los Angeles, California. The only problem is, Don Ysidro plans to kill Johannes and his father as soon as they arrive in California. The story tells of how Johannes uses all his wiles to stay alive, and how, blessed with some very kind and caring friends, he grows into a strong, resourceful young man, and eventually has to save the life of the woman he loves.The story will tug at your emotions and bring tears to your eyes, not only from the human interactions, but also from the vivid word paintings of the western territories the author loved so much.I couldn't put it down.
—Trish Jackson
This was I think the only book I read in Junior High. I remember really liking it. So I thought it might be good. Oh it was just long, and in parts I was rolling my eyes! The main plot is great, and the story line in great, and how it all ties together was interesting. But there was just so much added information it was annoying. I feel that every odd fact, interesting historical people (like poe or one other poet person along with others) are just thrown in. " Oh my dad knew him, I listen at his knee." Please unless this child had a photographic memory, and perfect audible retention, most of the facts and what nots are useless. "well, educated by dad, read lots" but he was on his own at age six. As the story continues, just tons of facts and detailed memories are just spewed into the book and I just thought, "oh please".But that aside, I liked how all the major characters tie together. His dad is trying to find a home for Johannes because he is dying. The dad Zack Verne is coming back to California where is grandpa (father-in-law) wants them dead (blight on family name) So father is killed, johannes is left in the desert to die. Survives! He hangs out with the indians for several years. Lady (from the coach ride) takes him in to make sure he has and education. Becomes like her own son. Family still wants him dead. Doesn't make friends easy, but can fight and hold his own in school. Eventually, the big issues is because he is still alive he will inherit his grandfathers fortune. The instigator behind his grandfather is a distant cousin that has been killing anyone else who might inherit, the money and title. At the end a gun battle happens and well Johannes wins! It is great.
—Sarah Udall
