William

Terrific read evoking 16th century New World life

Revisado: 11-04-15

Any additional comments?

Anyone who grew up in Texas, as I did, and attended a public Junior High School remembers the requisite Texas History course. The most fascinating events to come out of that class were the Alamo, of course, and the story of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca. As the treasurer and royal representative of the ill-fated Spanish exploratory expedition led by Panfilo de Narvaez, he was one of only four known surviviors. The others included two Spanish officers and noblemen, one of whom was Andreas Dorantes, who owned as a slave, the fourth survivor, a Moor named Mustafa al-Zamori, whom his master renamed Esteban. These four eventually became the first Europeans, and, of course, first African, to wander across the future states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Later, being found by a group of Spanish slave traders in present day Sonora, Mexico, they ended their eight year rambling trek in the capital of New Spain, present day Mexico City.

This outstanding work of historical fiction shows the duplicitous nature of these Spanish would-be conquistadors as seen in their avowed goal to bring Florida under the control of the King of Spain and bringing Christianity to the natives which contrasted with their more obvious self-serving goals of gold, personal wealth, and fame. The Narvaez expedition of 300 men, which landed in Florida near Tampa Bay in April of 1528, completely underestimated both the physical endurance required to navigate through that land as well as the ability of the native tribes to defend themselves. Viewed through the eyes of Esteban, with flashbacks to his days growing up and working as a merchant in Morocco, Neil Shah delivers a 5-star narration, giving the main Spanish characters distinctive voices along with Esteban’s haunting voice and those of several native characters. The story follows Esteban through the miseries of how he became a slave in Spain, traveling to the New World, suffering through the decisions of Narvaez and others that doomed the expedition, and then the struggles thereafter. All the while “The Moor’s” desire to regain his freedom is paramount in his thoughts and deeds.

My only criticism of the story line was there were infrequent descriptions of the lands themselves once having left Florida, so one had difficulty determining exactly where they were geographically, since movement through time was based on moving from tribe to tribe ever westwards. At some point they moved across plains to mountains and eventually to Culican on the Pacific Coast without any geographical references. That said, the fascinating depiction via Esteban of the characters, events, and trials of these four men who end up lost in a 16th century landscape of the present U.S. southwest is an engrossing and entertaining read. The nature of humanity in all its forms of good, evil and everything in between are there.

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Intense & entertaining storyline; great narration!

Revisado: 10-05-15

Where does Wayfaring Stranger rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have listened to a number and variety of books on Audible and enjoyed everyone of them (I scrutinize the reviews before ever making a purchase). Having been convinced to try it as a special buy, Wayfaring Stranger did not disappoint as my first experience with James Lee Burke.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The depth of Burke's characters, the historical figures and settings weaved into the story, and the in the moment narrative and action descriptions are superb. Having grown up in the Houston area in the 60's and having had a relative in the oil business, the storyline was especially appealing. His use of Texas culture and history, the hardscrabble nature of the oil and gas business, along with some vivid descriptions (a Bonnie and Clyde encounter; the approach of the dreaded King Tiger tank in the frozen Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge) put the listener right beside Weldon Holland.

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have heard several outstanding readers and their renditions in my time on Audible, including George Guidall, Kevin Pariseau, and Michael C. Hall. This is my third book with Will Patton as narrator (Light in August; Alas Babylon), and like the former readers, he has a gift for accent, inflection, and emotion that makes a book come alive. A 5-star performance every time.

Any additional comments?

I gave the story a 4 star (wanted to give it a 4 1/2) only because of two faults I had with the ending. First, it seemed a little contrived with the airplane, and second, I wanted the story to continue on.

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