The Lonesome Gods (Louis L'Amour's Lost Treasures): A Novel

I'm a big fan of the late Louis L'Amour. I've read 7 of his westerns almost all 5 stars, the Walking Haunted Mesa 5 stars and now The Lonesome Gods.The book is a page burner. 406 pages I read in 3 days. No boring parts. L'Amour again is a master at character development and beautiful scenery description. Also we get some nice history of early California and the ethnic groups that lived there in particular the big, powerful, huge land holding Dons of Spanish nobility decent. Lots of gun action and desert survival.Ill just give a little of the book and not ruin it for you. We see our hero Johannes Verne growing up as a 6 year old with friendly Indians after his sick father is murdered in the desert protecting his young son. His father an experienced seaman wanted to take Johannes to his rich grandfather, a Spanish Don near Los Angeles( a small 3,000 person town but growing big).Unfortunatly the Don lives in a weird world of ill perceived nobility. He hates Johannes father and Johannes. He thought the father was a nothing and did not want non noble blood to marry his daughter. He has Johannes father killed and Johannes left to die in the desert. The Don was a real jerk and an evil man.Johannes grows up with Indian help and finds a beautiful young girl that he eventually will marry.That's about enough to wet your reading appetite. Lots of action, fighting, back and forth plots to kill Johannes. Lots of villains and good friends. You wont get board reading this book. If you want to read a great western about a young boy's survival, growing to adulthood in a desert environment this is the book for you. Great reading and highly recommended. 5 stars

If I hadn't had the odd prejudice that Western novels wouldn't be any more complex or interesting than old Western TV shows, I might have read this years ago. I also held the false idea that a popular Western novel would not include interesting women as an important part of the story. I am happy to say this book is an absolute delight. The plot is carefully woven together but contains some surprises. 5 Stars! Strongly recommended

It is fashionable for some to laugh at Louis L'Amour. He is a fine story teller and this is one of his best. It is the story of Palm Springs and Los Angeles told through the eyes of settlers whom one feels close to by the end of the tale. L'Amour's respect for the local Indian tribes makes the tale more readable. One finds out more about the Californios (the Spanish speaking inhabitants) than he/she would in most novels of the period. This is a wonderful read.

It covers a boy of six growing to a man, a lot of years. It’s a slow start, even with action. But once it gets going, it’s like watching a horse race, you can’t look away from. It’s hard to put this book down.

Another great story with facts of how California went from govern by Mexico to joining the United States as state. What those settlers from the east or in some cases, persons who've escape Siberian prisons. The indigenous people who've lived in the California desert, who are referred to as the old ones, who disappeared, but left shards of cooking pots, ollas and caves with drawings. This author as always includes a bit of historical facts, tidbits. Enough to peak your interest to take note of.It's a love story with many inroads into the lives of the wealth Spanish families of Castilian heritage, who felt they were above the Mexicans. Lots going on, some difficulties and hostilities class distinction were illustrated. Angelo, Don Isidore's son who suffered from auto-immune which would affected his growth. Sadly he lived out his life in the desert with the help of friends, but he passed from this life where he wanted from atop a mountain.You'll enjoy reading 📚about these lives and how vile people can become.

I really liked this book it was very good I could not put down a lot of action and mystery thanks tommy a.

It doesn't hurt the plot for the hero to be a reader and aficionado of good books. Johannes Verne's life is followed from boy to man. He's kind, thoughtful, hardworking, and studious without ever being boring. The odds always seem to be stacked against him, but he comes out a winner because Mr. L'Amour is incredible!

The Lonesome Gods, by Louis L’Amour, is a beautifully written book that takes place in the California desert. The main character, Johannes Verne, is a well-read, thoughtful young man who has always been overshadowed by his Grandfather’s hatred. Johannes finds himself longing to search the desert for something he left behind many years before when he was abandoned there by his Grandfather. This longing constantly drives him back to find whatever it was he lost. During his lonely years of growing up, the old worshiped gods of the desert, who had been long forgotten and may or may not even be real, keep him company. There are great amounts of wisdom woven into every chapter, and excitement, romance, and mystery intrigue you until the end. Anyone can benefit from this book, but especially those who know that there are secrets and adventure in the past and future of every person.

All around a very good read. I would recommend to all who have a inkling of adventure.

Fantastic book great read

easy read

It is a gripping tale of the hardships, struggles and dangers of migrating to the Wild West in search of a better life. The events took place at a time when Los Angeles was a small town fast evolving to become a full fledged city. Unlike in his other novels, here you will find the author delving into the superstitions, myths and mysteries surrounding the Indians. Grab it quick, it's a book well worth buying.

I have read a lot of Louis books and I rate this as one of the best probable the best.