THE WANDERER

by Mika Waltari ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 19, 1951

Michael of the charmed life continues his erratic career as an adventurer with an interlude which takes him through much of the 16th century Mohammedan empire. The holocaust in Rome singed his conscience a bit, and he decided- with his brother in arms, the bull-like Andy, to seek peace in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. But Fate decreed otherwise. The pilgrim ship was seized by the infidels, Michael, chameleon like in his loyalties, became for all purposes an aspirant to Mohammedanism, and-though a slave- rose rapidly in the service of his masters, until he was confidante, adviser, military leader, political intriguer, whatever suited his mood, and landing- as one of his owners said- ""always on his feet"". Richly detailed with the lushness of a tawdry era in Europe and the Near East, the novel seems more tightly plotted than was The Adventurer, and Michael -- completely the go-getter, the opportunist- finds himself balked in his ambitions momentarily by circumstances, but recurrently by the strange woman of the evil eye who has captured his heart and imagination. A complex plot, with successive interlocking episodes, this adds up to another picaresque romantic adventure novel which those who enjoyed its predecessors will claim as their own. A better book than The Adventurer; but for me it had less allure than The Egyptian.

Pub Date: Oct. 19, 1951

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1951

Categories: FICTION