FOLLOW THE DRUM

by James Leasor ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 22, 1972

Lieutenant Richard Lang, newly commissioned in the East India Company's Bengal Army, goes to India to make his fortune and marry the wealthy and rather too warm-blooded Annabella MacDonald. Upon arrival, his rather naive but secure world of queen and country (for this is Victoria's heyday) falls apart, as he gets caught in the throes of an Indian uprising that threatens to topple the empire and to destroy his private life. This is an interesting novel of the sentimental variety, full of heroics and other grand passions, but undercut by a biting indictment of the slothful officer class that (at least in those days) bought rather than earned its rank, and a modern awareness of the futility of war. The situation and characters are apparently based on the record, which is no doubt responsible for the excellent detail and rather more sober air than is usually found in the justly maligned historical novel.

Pub Date: Feb. 22, 1972

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1972

Categories: FICTION