Gentlemen of the Road: A Tale of Adventure

By Michael Chabon

A rollicking saga set a thousand years ago along the ancient Silk Road, by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.

Gentlemen of the Road is set in the Kingdom of Arran, in the Caucasus Mountains, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, A.D. 950. It tells the tale of two wandering adventurers and unlikely soul mates, variously plying their trades as swords for hire, horse thieves, and flimflam artists–until fortune entangles them in the myriad schemes and battles following a bloody coup in the medieval Jewish empire of the Khazars. Hired as escorts for a fugitive prince, they quickly find themselves half-willing generals in a mad rebellion, struggling to restore the prince’s family to the throne. As their increasingly outrageous exploits unfold, they encounter a wondrous elephant, wily Rhandanite tradesman, whores, thieves, soldiers, an emperor, and the truth about their young royal charge, whose slender frame conceals a startling secret and a warrior’s heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Apr 30, 2010
• ISBN: 9780307373632

Michael Chabon

Michael Chabon is the bestselling and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Moonglow and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, among many others. He lives in Berkeley, California with his wife, the novelist Ayelet Waldman, and their children.

Reviews for Gentlemen of the Road

[eilonwy_anne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's hard to rate this because it was stellar, lovely in every sentence and page, but also so very brief. I am astonished to see the page counts, and would like to see the wordcount sometime to convince myself it isn't a novella. It's primarily an adventure story, and excels as such: like a good adventure story often does, it makes you care about the people as well as the plot. The classic idiosyncratic friendship of the gentlemen and their very different bonds with Filaq are well sketched and convincing. The novel briefly and vividly transports the reader to a very cosmopolitan past, an age and place not familiar to most readers in English. For this, for its philosophical flourishes, its beauty of line, its humor, its swashbuckling, and its elephants, I loved it. Audiobook note: Andre Braugher did a good job, especially with the dry humor.

[melydia_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I tried this first on audio but simply could not follow the plot, so I tried again on paper and found it a little bit easier. The trouble is that it's written like a 19th century novel, with excessively long sentences that require multiple readings (and often dictionary checks) in order to decipher. It's tiring and takes me out of the action. I'm sure it's a rollicking adventure for people who can keep up with the language. For me it was slog with occasional fun bits.

[kerns222 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Adventure story done well. A nod to the stories Chabon read and loved as a youth. No wizards or magic, just a little gore and a prince, princess and a usurper--the old formula, good to read to your kiddies. You might censor a little, though.

[dbsovereign · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Reminded me of Leiber though the characterizations were not quite as vivid. Still, I enjoyed the fantasy and the improbable adventure. These guys manage to take over their world and win our hearts. Wonderful illustrations!

[marshakt · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Alas - even though so much shorter than Chabon's other books, I ultimately found it no more readable! I read half of "Kavalier and Clay", and half of "Yiddish Policeman's Ball". I loved the former, but ultimately ran out of time and patience for it, and simply hated the latter. I picked up "Gentlemen of the Road" after learning about the possible connection between the Jews expelled from or escaping Israel around the 7th century and the Khazaars. As others have criticized, the writing is too confusing to follow the action among tribes and individuals that I really couldn't get a handle on. I didn't know who the "good" guys and "bad" guys were - who was chasing them, who was getting killed - it was just a 200 page, florid, mish-mash.I gave up half way through.

[mahsdad · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Chabon is one of my favorite authors, and as such, I'll read just about everything he releases. So when I saw this, I had to pick it up.This is a "serial" novel of a swashbuckling tale set in the 10th Century Southwest Russia. Chabon said that his working title when he was writing these stories was, "Jews with Swords". When he learned of the history of this area and of the Jewish Khazar kingdoms, he was compelled to research and write about this era.The main characters are Amram (an African warrior/mercenary) and his friend and partner Zelikman (a German physician). During their travels, looking for work and adventure, they find themselves in the middle of a political power struggle and war in the kingdom of Arram. The series of what I would call vignettes were originally published in serial form in the New York Times magazine. While all connected, as you would expect from a magazine serial, they seemed a little disjointed to me in full book form, as if there were some missing pieces in between each section. At any rate, it was a very enjoyable read. It was interesting reading about the adventure/rogue tropes set against a society and geography that was completely new to me.8/10S: 1/3/15 - F: 1/15/16 (13 Days)

[charlie68_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A radical departure for M. Chabon's a trip to 9th century near east populated by Khazars, Rus and Vikings, a fun trip.

[juva_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Two travelling adventurers find themselves embroiled in the royal succession of a nation after a chance encounter makes them the sole protectors of a stripling prince. Together they will battle untold dangers to return this orphaned ruler to his rightful place in hopes of receiving some reward due their exploits. This is a lyrical and poignant tale masquerading as a swashbuckling adventure. It is short and fast-paced, but deep and wide with thoughtful prose. Truly beautiful.

[goofyocean110 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I could very easily see this book as an adventure movie, done in a campy over-the-top style a la The Princess Bride or The Adventures of Baron Munchausen but with more Jewish Sinbad flare. Each chapter makes a vivid scene.All the classic and familiar elements of adventure are there: two road-veteren wanderers have a chance meeting and are compelled to spirit a young royal away from doom, swashbuckling adventure with imprisonment, certain death, armies, intrigue, companionship, and even accessories become charismatic, a la Indiana Jones' whip. I would have asked the author, Michael Chabon, to go through this one more time before publishing. Perhaps because he wanted to make this 'literary' the language is cumbersome, and there is rarely a sentence where a monosyllabic word is used when a three syllable word also works. Great for studying for the SATs, but somewhat silly when so concentrated in prose. The twists and turns are predictable and familiar (but still fun) while the surprises fell flat and inconsequential, and I would have taken them out altogether since they added little. Nevertheless, this does appear to me to open up a whole new door into Jewish adventure fiction, and I could see how others might take other settings in Jewish history as background for their creative adventure license.

[cestovatela · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Michael Chabon has fallen a long way since the days of Wonder Boys and Kavalier and Clay. His latest novel, Gentlemen of the Road, is the story of two comically mismatched companions who wander the world as small-time hustlers. I was quickly drawn into the exotic midieval settings and touched by the main characters' friendship, but my fascination didn't last long. Writing style is the book's biggest downfall. Michael Chabon seems to think you can create atmosphere by writing sentences a paragraph long, so I often found myself tangled in a jumble of pronouns and clauses so impenetrable that I couldn't understand the plot (not that the plot seemed terribly worth understanding to begin with). The characters, who could have been the novel's strong point, are sadly neglected. With only 196 pages, Chabon really needed to cut down his cast; instead, he introduces a new character with every chapter, meaning that his main characters are ill-defined. I think this book might have been more successful if it had been twice as long. Then there might have been space to support the action-packed plot without sacrificing the character development that makes most of Chabon's work so moving. A few moments in the book made me wish for better editing and stronger writing, but as it is, I cannot find anything to recommend it.

[bmcknight_5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Chabon's successful take on the swashbuckling genre, in the manner of Robert E. Howard, follows two 10th century Jews (one from Abyssinia and one from Francia) and their adventures along the Silk Road as they seek to unseat an upstart from the Khazar throne and enrich themselves in the process.

[jessicakiang · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very slight novel, one you can easily read in a day, and while Chabon's language is as lovely as ever, it all vanishes in a puff of whimsy as soon as you finish reading it. Still, when the confection tastes this delicious going down, why complain that there's no nutritional content?

[gwendydd · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As ever, Chabon's writing is an absolute delight to read, and there are moments of the book that are wonderful and funny. The story as a whole, however, is rather weak. It's a little difficult to follow the plot, because there are lots of weird political factions and customs involved, and a lot of exotic characters to keep straight. The book was entertaining, but not particularly memorable: it's an adventure story, and that's really all I can say for it.

[altheaann · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

If Robert E. Howard had been writing his historical adventure fiction at the beginning of the 21st century instead of toward the beginning of the 20th, this book might very well have come from his pen. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the Howard collection "Sword Woman."
Still, while I'm recommending it, it's not without its flaws - some of those the same as I feel the Howard stories contain. The narrative can get bogged down in technical details that impede the flow of the tale, and the characterization is fairly basic. The 'big reveal' here is also pretty obvious right from the beginning.

This is a fun little book, but it's really not in the same category as 'Yiddish Policeman' or 'Kavalier & Clay."

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars Quick and fun (though sometimes intensely violent) and original. Chabon surely is talented. I like the title he wanted to use, as he explains in his afterward, but I don't want to spoil it for you so I won't say it here.

[bfertig_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I could very easily see this book as an adventure movie, done in a campy over-the-top style a la The Princess Bride or The Adventures of Baron Munchausen but with more Jewish Sinbad flare. Each chapter makes a vivid scene.All the classic and familiar elements of adventure are there: two road-veteren wanderers have a chance meeting and are compelled to spirit a young royal away from doom, swashbuckling adventure with imprisonment, certain death, armies, intrigue, companionship, and even accessories become charismatic, a la Indiana Jones' whip. I would have asked the author, Michael Chabon, to go through this one more time before publishing. Perhaps because he wanted to make this 'literary' the language is cumbersome, and there is rarely a sentence where a monosyllabic word is used when a three syllable word also works. Great for studying for the SATs, but somewhat silly when so concentrated in prose. The twists and turns are predictable and familiar (but still fun) while the surprises fell flat and inconsequential, and I would have taken them out altogether since they added little. Nevertheless, this does appear to me to open up a whole new door into Jewish adventure fiction, and I could see how others might take other settings in Jewish history as background for their creative adventure license.

[pghdragonman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Michael Chabon weaves a great story in Gentlemen of the Road. The opening scenes, while somewhat reminiscent of the classic James Garner / Louis Gossett movie, Skin Game, takes place in a much earlier time and ends up playing a minor role in the tale that unfolds. It does set the tone as a theme for the novel, however, as there is enough deception and identity confusion worthy of a classic Shakespeare comedy.Given the historic setting and the battle scenes, this is hardly an outright comedy. Chabon introduces enough light elements in a masterful way sp you can enjoy the comic relief, yet no lose sight of the severity of the story. If the author is uneven about anything, it is his treatment of minor characters. Secondary characters are not as well developed as the main characters are, we know just enough about them to allow them to do their job, but this is well within reason. If these characters had been flesh out more completely, the story would have been bloated. This slim little book proves once again, as the author did with The Final Solution, great books do not have to be heavy tomes and Chabon demonstrates elegantly that fewer well chosen words is preferable to many words that do not really add anything to the story.This is not a fantasy story but it may appeal to readers of that genre as the setting of the story is in a long ago, far away land. Adventure story lovers should enjoy this as well as the entire story is of a grand adventure to restore a rightful ruler to the kingdom. This is worthy of a good solid four star rating.

[kellymaliawilliams · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Swashbukling story of comrades in arms set in the Caucasus Mountains in the 10th century - Rich prose and engaging characters make this a spirited read

[kristenn_43 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser. The twists were predictable, but it's the kind of genre story where you want them to be. An action movie of a book. Fun and fast. Wish I had the British cover.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Perhaps the best description of this story is that it is a land-based adventure story set in the Middle Ages in Azerbaijan. It is reminiscent of pirate adventures except that the only time the sea is in the picture is when the group goes to a seaside town which is being raided by the Northmen. It's not the usual type of novel that I read, but I did enjoy Chabon's command of language in describing the action and surroundings.

[brianjungwi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Stating in his after word that the alternative title for this work was"Jews with Swords," you can get an idea of the playfulness the author had while writing this book. Michael Chabon came highly recommended by a variety of friends, and this slim novel caught my eye while perusing the shelves at my local book store. Having never read Chabon before, my impression was of a 'serious' novelist who utilized quirky titles, and with some trepidation I decided to purchase "Gentleman of the Road." I was pleasantly surprised with an incredibly well written and entertaining adventure tale set in an interesting historical period. The book centers around the scare-crow figure of Zelikman and his physical opposite, the imposing Amram, who as partners and kindred spirits seek to make their fortune traveling the road. They con, they save a youth, they lead an army as Chabon creates a lively atmosphere set in the 10th century crossroads of the Caucus mountains. The characters are well-written and charismatic, and although the book is slim, make a strong impression throughout and remain memorable. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and while the plot unfolds like a pulp adventure novel, Chabon's mastery of the language is charming. By the end, I felt two things, a sense of wanderlust - wanting to travel, and a desire to read more. "Gentleman of the Road" is in the fine tradition of entertaining adventure novels and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

[christhirteen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As he explains in the afterword, this novel is a break from Chabon's usual 'late-century naturalism'. It does, however, still possess his usual post-modern wit, the knowing glance of the author. That the setting is the middle-east of the aincent world rather than the modern day cities of America does not in any way diminish the novel. In fact, it adds a certain Quixotic charm to the work. That said, it does not posses the epic reach of Kaviler and Clay and, whilst it is an entertaining yarn, it does feel a little light in comparisson.

[bhowell_35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book I have read by Michael Chabon though I have 2 others in my library and on my list to read. I pulled the other books out and was delighted to discover that I have the first edition of The Mysteries of Pittsburgh and a signed first of The Yiddish Policeman's Union. Gentlemen of the Road was a charming and entertaining read and is aptly and simply called a tale of adventure. Think about a cross between the Three Musketeers and Salmon Rushdie's the Enchantress of Florence but in a much shortened and readable novella. The story does drag a bit from time to time but keep reading. This is a good story and has a great ending. The illustrations were a lovely touch and indeed the whole format of the book is so attractive with the names of the chapters set out and the type face is perfect. I am a collector and I love the art of a pretty book, regardless of value. The illustrations enhance the enjoyment of the story by providing pictures of the characters so that you can see them in your mind as they fight and run from one tight spot to another. This is particularly enjoyable with an historical adventure story and is a pleasure which we should not give over entirely to children. These illustrations by Gary Gianni are brilliant and art and literature combine to deliver the reading experince. Many books written by the likes of Charles Dickens, Daniel Deronda, and Wilke Collins had sketches or line drawings in them but it is not very common now with adult literature. Perhaps that should change.

[maschine_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sceptre HC edition (ISBN 0340953543):Simply a great old-style adventure story, originally called "Jews with Swords", in which Chabon matches nearly every cliche there ever was:Two loveable jewish rogues, one a big jolly African armed with an axe called "Mother Defiler", the other a remote and depressed Frank who likes good hats and his horse, a brattish prince on the run, accompanied by an old guardian, swordfights, horsetheft, elephantriding...and vikings!All this mixed up in a great adventure tale, wonderfully told by Chabon, supported by Gary Gianni's illustrations and an old adventure book-like design (no jacket, the picture is directly printed on the cover and even the bar code sticker has some ornaments on it).Judging this book as an adventure novel, it's just that: a great and fun read.5 of 5 perforated hats

[carltonc_5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fun, but light read. This was a wonderful homage to the adventure stories of Howard, Moorcock and Leiber. Indeed the two lead characters read like paraodies of leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser and the plot rolls forward but does not really engage.What matters is the exuberant imagination and the joyful use of language.Nice illustrations too.

[eairo_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is subtitled "a tale of adventure". That sounds - and the book with its black and white illustrations actually looks like something that was old thirty years ago when I started reading "tales of adventure". Well, this is a new one, however, published last year. I guess it was written, and is best to be read and enjoyed as a tribute to the old adventure books ... to be taken lightly and just for fun.The characters are not very deep, but interesting enough: a prince on the run fighting for his life and the empire of his murdered father, the heroes are soldiers of misfortune who have lost everything, they are haunted by their pasts, they have only their solitudes to share ... they are gentlemen of the road, destined to be hung some day, and a great "pair of swindlers, hustling a kingdom" (as put in the book itself). What more could one ask? (And if you do ask for more, maybe you should just read something else.)The tale is light but the language is heavy. I am not a native English speaker/reader and the vocabulary of this book is rich, so rich that it goes somewhere near the border of exceptionally enjoyable and frustrating; I needed a dictionary quite a few times.

[pwoodford_5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A friend participated in the National Geographic's human genomic project. He sent in his DNA and got back a description of how his early ancestors migrated from Africa to the Middle East, became the Jews, migrated on to Russia and Eastern Europe, and eventually on to today, a widely dispersed tribe of modern Jews and Christians. I imagine I'm part of the same tribe, and plan to send in my DNA to find out for sure. This is a rather spare snapshot of some of those ancestors at a brief moment in the 10th Century; it is about, in Michael Chabon's own words, Jews with swords. A damn good story in the sense that the Book of Job is a damn good story. More novella than novel, not a story you can lose yourself in . . . more like a fleshed-out Old Testament tale.

[kimlarae · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A beautifully executed adventure tale. Can be read in one big gulp.

[iftyzaidi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've not read any Michael Chabon before and I can understand why some would say this is the wrong place to start. Be that as it may, I absolutely enjoyed his take on a boy's own swords and sandals medieval adventure tale - somewhat reminiscent of Fritz Leiber or Michael Moorcock fantasy fare (he dedicates the book to Moorcock). The story is light, frothy and fun to read. What gives it that extra flavour is the wonderful setting - one rarely reads much fiction set in 10th century Central Asia, let alone one following the adventures of 2 Jewish swordsmen, one a mercenary from Abyssinia and the other a former medical student from France getting caught up in a succession struggle in the Jewish tribal kingdom of Khazaria. Highly entertaining!

[simonea_533972 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very enjoyable book, which I like most because of the writing style. The sentences, like in The Yiddish Policemen's Union, are very rich and welcoming.