The Legend of Luke
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| UK 1st Edition Cover | |
| Author | Brian Jacques |
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| Cover Artist | Chris Baker |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Redwall |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Hutchinson (UK) & Philomel (US) |
| Released | 1999 |
| Media Type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 374 (UK Hardback) & 374 (US Hardback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-09-176862-4 (UK Hardback) & ISBN 0-399-23490-X (US Hardback) |
| Preceded by | Marlfox |
| Followed by | Lord Brocktree |
The Legend of Luke is a fantasy novel by Brian Jacques, published in 1999. It is the twelfth book in the Redwall series.
Contents |
[edit] Plot introduction
A New York Times bestseller, The Legend of Luke is about Martin the Warrior's search for what happened to his father, Luke. The first and third sections of the book are about Martin's journey, in which he travels from Redwall Abbey to the far northwest of the continent. There he discovers two of his father's old companions, who read to him a written account of their story. The second section of the book is the story of Luke, his companions, and a black squirrel named Ranguvar Foeseeker.
[edit] Plot summary
The book begins during the construction of Redwall Abbey, when a roving hedgehog named Trimp meets Ferdy Stickle and Coggs Stickle. She visits the abbey and sings a song to help the workers lifting a beam. Martin the Warrior recognizes his father, Luke the Warrior, mentioned in the lyrics and asks Trimp more about him. He decides to go on a quest to learn more about his father. Martin, Gonff the Mousethief, Dinny, and Trimp befriend an orphan woodlander named Chugger, the bird Krar Woodwatcher, as well as two brother otters, Folgrim and Tungro. When they reach the northlands, Martin meets his father's friends Vurg and Beauclair Fethringsol Cosfortingham, who show him a book titled In the Wake of the Red Ship, an account of Luke's life.
The plot then flashes back to Martin's birth to Luke and Sayna. Luke was the leader of a tribe of mice who lived an idyllic life for many seasons until Vilu Daskar, captain of the Goreleech, attacked the settlement and killed Sayna, as well as many others with his Sea Rogues. Luke vowed revenge upon Daskar and soon had an opportunity when Reynard Chopsnout, master of the Greenhawk, sailed in, hoping to fix his broken vessel. Luke killed him and captured the ship. Together with Vurg, Beau, and others, they sailed off. Martin, now older, wished to accompany his father, but Luke declined, giving Martin his sword, and the chance to name the ship, which he dubbed Sayna.
At one point, Beau was believed to be dead, but survived. Luke, however, was captured by Daskar when the Sayna was destroyed. He befriended a black squirrel, Ranguvar Foeseeker, who also wanted her revenge. Luke was able to convince Daskar of a hidden treasure that only the mouse could steer to. Vurg and Beau snuck aboard to free the slaves as Ranguvar and Luke killed foebeasts. Luke maneuvered to where he had trapped Daskar to one end of the ship, then steered it between two rocks, breaking it. He, Ranguvar, Daskar, and the entire vermin army were drowned.
Beau and Vurg presented Martin with a tapestry of his ancestor, which would eventually be expanded into one of the mouse himself. They returned to Redwall, and Martin allegedly chose to put down his sword and live a life of peace.
[edit] Characters in "The Legend of Luke"
- Trimp
- Ferdy Stickle and Coggs Stickle
- Martin the Warrior
- Luke the Warrior
- Gonff the Mousethief
- Dinny
- Chugger
- Krar Woodwatcher
- Folgrim and Tungro
- Vurg
- Beauclair Fethringsol Cosfortingham (Beau)
- Sayna
- Vilu Daskar
- Reynard Chopsnout
- Ranguvar Foeseeker
[edit] Trivia
- The middle section of the book is accepted as being the second book in fictional order, though there is some confusion whether it takes place before or after Lord Brocktree. However, because the majority of the book is occupied with Martin's journey, it is considered the 4th book chronologically.
- In this book we learn that Martin the Warrior is named after his paternal grandfather Martin, and it is this Martin, not Martin son of Luke, depicted on the great tapestry. This makes Martin the third wielder of the Sword of Martin. The life of the 1st Martin is a source of speculation for fans who hope for a book on his life.
- The description of Luke's decision to leave his son Martin in this book is almost word for word the same as the one in the flashback Martin has tied to the fort's walls in Martin the Warrior. The only other place this happens in the series is the end of book one of Outcast of Redwall, which follows on almost exactly word for word from the end of Mossflower.
- In this book it is revealed that Luke and his tribe were born in Saint Ninian’s in Mossflower Woods and driven out by Lord Verdauga Greeneyes. It is therefore highly ironic that Martin later drives the wildcats out of Mossflower.
[edit] Book Divisions (English)
- Book 1: Martin
- Book 2: Luke
- Book 3: A Warrior's Legacy
[edit] Translations
[edit] External link
| Preceded by: Mossflower |
Redwall Series (chronological order) |
Succeeded by: Outcast of Redwall |
| Preceded by: Marlfox |
Redwall Series (publication order) |
Succeeded by: Lord Brocktree |
| Books in the Redwall series, by Brian Jacques |
|
Lord Brocktree | Martin the Warrior | Mossflower | The Legend of Luke | Outcast of Redwall | Mariel of Redwall | The Bellmaker | Salamandastron |
