Gentlemen of the Road

by Michael Chabon
Gentlemen of the Road cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Historical Fiction
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 6453
  • Added: 2025-11-17
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • ISBN: 9781848941205
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2008-12-11
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Gentlemen of the Road is a captivating tale set in the year 950, amidst the rugged landscapes of the Caucasus Mountains. The story follows two wandering adventurers who, through a series of fortuitous and misfortunate events, become entangled in a rebellion to restore a deposed prince to his throne. Their journey is filled with encounters with diverse characters, from wily traders to formidable soldiers, and even a wondrous elephant. The novel is beautifully illustrated and brimming with raucous humor and cliff-hanging suspense, evoking the spirit of The Arabian Nights and the action of The Three Musketeers. /n/n The narrative is enriched with historical details and cultural nuances, offering a vivid portrayal of the medieval Jewish empire of the Khazars. As the two protagonists navigate through treacherous terrains and political intrigues, they uncover the true nature of their young royal charge and the complexities of their own bond. This is a story that combines adventure, humor, and historical fiction in a way that is both entertaining and enlightening.

Reviews
The Idle Woman · 2018-01-01
enjoyable 3.50

The prose is luxurious and self-indulgent, with sprawling sentences that showcase the author's confidence. The story is engaging and adventurous, though it may not be as profound as some of Chabon's other works.

The reviewer at The Idle Woman highlights Michael Chabon's luxurious and self-indulgent prose, which winds through sprawling sentences with ease. They find the story engaging and adventurous, though they note that it may not be as profound as some of Chabon's other works. The reviewer appreciates the author's confidence and the way the story unfolds, making it a enjoyable read despite its lack of depth.

Quick quotes

    Chabon's prose is luxurious, self-indulgent, winding its way through sprawling sentences with the easy self-confidence of a writer in complete control.

    The story is engaging and adventurous, though it may not be as profound as some of Chabon's other works.

    It's a fun adventure story that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Reddit - Recommended Books · 2010-11-26
standout 4.00

The book scratches the literary itch for more depth and structure in adventure stories, making it a standout read.

A Reddit reviewer highlights how Gentlemen of the Road scratches the literary itch for more depth and structure in adventure stories. They find the book to be a standout read that offers something more than typical beach reading, yet it's not quite as weighty as classic literature. The reviewer appreciates the depth and structure of the prose, making it a enjoyable and engaging read for those looking for something more substantial in their adventure stories.

Quick quotes

    Criminally overlooked, this book scratches that literary itch I get when I long for more depth and structure in the prose of adventure stories.

    It's a standout read that offers something more than typical beach reading.

    The book is a classic good read, something more than beach reading yet not quite War and Peace.

The Guardian · Christopher Tayler · 2007-11-03
fun 3.75

The tale of 10th-century Jewish adventurers is a fun and engaging read, though it may not be as historically accurate as some readers might hope.

Christopher Tayler from The Guardian sets off in pursuit of Michael Chabon's tale of 10th-century Jewish adventurers. They find the story to be a fun and engaging read, though they note that it may not be as historically accurate as some readers might hope. The reviewer appreciates the adventurous spirit of the story and the way it captures the essence of the time period, making it a enjoyable read despite its historical inaccuracies.

Quick quotes

    A fun and engaging read that captures the adventurous spirit of 10th-century Jewish adventurers.

    The story may not be as historically accurate as some readers might hope.

    It's a tale that's hard to put down, with a sense of adventure that's hard to find in modern literature.

Appears in Lists