Review: Epic and Exotic Novel of Adventure and War
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 27, 2013
"The Young Lions" is an epic novel, spanning from Calgary to South Africa and following the life and fortunes of a young man named Robert Hamilton. After his widowed mother falls prey to the manipulative and abusive Mockie Massle, Robert has trouble watching their miserable marriage; in a tussle in town one day, Robert accidentally shoots Mockie and leaves his mother a widow once again.Mockie's friends are dangerous, and so Robert leaves Calgary for London, to stay with his mother's younger sister. After several affairs and a trip to his family's ancestral home in Scotland, he ends up in Johannesburg to make his fortune in the goldfields. The country will soon be plunged into war, however, and though Robert believes passionately in the side he chooses, it does go against his country and family.If you enjoy historical novels, "The Young Lions" will be a good read--it's set in a locale and time not many books choose as their subject, and the author has a way with words that brings the settings and characters to life. Johannesburg is a gritty, dangerous place filled with both good and bad people, and the way Maxwell depicts it made me feel like I was reading an exotic Western (I greatly enjoy Westerns, so that is a good thing!). Though Robert is not always a loveable character (he plays fast and loose with women with little thought of morality), he is always interesting; Andrew, though horrifying, is also a compelling character. Louisa brings in a strong, capable woman for a female element, as well. Recommended to those who like historical novels, epics, adventure novels, and war novels.