The Legend of the Wandering King

by Laura Gallego García

Book Overview

A prince with more power than heart ... a poet who may be mad ... and a carpet containing all of human history combine in this brilliant new fantasy by one of Spain's brightest young writers. Walid... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0439585562
• ISBN13: 9780439585569
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
• Length: 213 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Keep going through the first chapter-- its worth it

Although the first chapter took me a couple of times to get through, it was WELL worth it! Really excellent book: both exciting and thought provokingly moral.

A Wonderful Fable

I am a children's librarian who was enthralled with this book. It is a neatly-worked-out fable that explores jealousy and desire, inspiration, and how a man can redeem a life in which he destroyed others through arrogance and envy. I believe some previous reviewers have been too harsh. The characters are flat because this is the working out af a folk tale, not meant to be a modern novel. The book is populated by characters which are "types" and includes some unbelievable coincidences precisely because the plot supersedes the characterization and setting. Great works such as "Everyman" and "Pilgrim's Progress" are similarly constructed. I would encourage readers to give this one a try--I think they will be pleasantly surprised.

Wandering king delivers a stunning story about redemption

The Legend of the wandering King is certainly a treat for the senses. The story amply describes the life of a very conceited and self-confident prince name Walid, who proceeds to hold a poetry contest at the command of his father when he wishes to go to Ukaz to express his love of poetry through these means. He is beaten by a man named Hammad, whose poetry greatly overcomes Walid and swaying the crowd and judges with his poetry. The prince holds the contest two more times before finally giving up and appoints Hammad master of the archives. His first task is to put the vast archives back into order. From there `King' Walid grows angry at the news that Hammad has completed his task in reorganizing the archives. In another way to make Hammad suffer, he orders the now older man to create a carpet containing the entire human race. From there Walid's world crumbles around him as he begins to regret the atrocious deeds against Hammad. The book is quiet short but gives out plentiful description of Walid's life after the fall of his kingdom and his exploits through the desert as he strives to regain the carpet Hammad created. The storyline is well thought out, as you try to figure out Walid's true purpose every time he meets Hammad's sons with every detour he makes. The characters, were at first hard to relate with seeing that; Walid was very vain and full of himself. But as the story progresses Walid begins to become more of a likable character, and you relate with his turmoil and regrets for his past deeds. The description of each world Walid enters under his alias is beautiful, you can picture it clearly in your mind. All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good fantasy that's earth bound. Sure there's little or no poetry but this shouldn't bother anyone looking for a story and not poetry. (February 3d 2006)

The Greatest Book in the World!

The Legend of the Wandering King, by Laura Gallego Garcia, is a great story that is set in Arabia in the past. Walid ibn Hujr is the main character and he is a king that is bad tempered and seeks vengeance against Hakim whole stole the king's carpet which contained the entire history and future of the human race. The king meets a beautiful girl named Zahrah who is the daughter of a sheik and she is a bandit. She also helps Walid on his journey in the desert. The message I got from the story is that you should follow your dreams and don't quit. I liked the story because it is filled with suspense, mystery, action, love and it also has a sadness about it. Many things about it will keep you captivated by this story.

One of the best books Ever!!!!

THE LEGEND OF THE WANDERING KING by Laura Gallego Garcia and translated into English by Dan Bellm is simply one of the best books that I've read this year. Set in pre-Islamic Arabia (5th to 6th century C.E.) it follows the adventure quest and life journey of a young Arabian prince, Walid ibn Hujr. Walid has always dreamed of being great-great man, great poet, great ruler-yet when he lets human emotions (particularly jealousy, fear, and revenge) reign over him, embittering him, he realizes that he is anything but great. And then comes a remarkable chance to redeem himself: a magic carpet has been stolen...there begins Walid's lifelong quest to find and return the carpet to its rightful owner...no matter what it costs him. THE LEGEND OF THE WANDERING KING reads like a fairy tale; it is a tale of mythological proportions.