Review of Lando (The Sacketts, #7) by Louis L’Amour
When I first picked up Lando, the latest installment in the famed Sackett series by Louis L’Amour, I found myself intrigued by the promise of a story that was described as “brutal” and more on the wilder side than the previous Sacketts I’d read. I’ve always enjoyed L’Amour’s ability to create vivid landscapes and compelling narratives, and this new chapter seemed to signal a deeper dive into the harsher realities of frontier life. As a fan of rugged tales full of grit, I was eager to see what Orlando, or Lando Sackett, had in store for us.
From the outset, Lando’s life is steeped in hardship. After losing his mother and his father disappearing, he’s left to fend for himself at a young age, a theme that struck a chord with me. The early promise of a proper education swiftly falls apart as Lando is betrayed by his father’s "friend," who squandered the family’s gold on his own interests instead of caring for the boy. This cruel turn sets the tone for a protagonist who must navigate a harsh world filled with danger and deception.
Lando’s journey through rugged mountains and his attempts to carve out a new life for himself in a mill showcase the resilience that L’Amour’s characters often embody. However, the narrative escalates nicely into chaos when opportunism and a quest for lost treasure lead to his capture and torture. The brutal events are certainly captivating but also set this tale apart as the rawest in the Sackett series. It’s a wild ride, revealing Lando’s flawed choices shaped by ambition rather than instinct, which I found compelling.
As I moved through the pages, I couldn’t help but feel that something was missing. While L’Amour’s signature style shines through, particularly in the rich descriptions of landscapes and moments of tension, I wished for deeper character development. Lando’s companions and adversaries felt somewhat one-dimensional at times. The characters had potential that wasn’t fully realized, leaving me craving more backstory and motivation behind their actions.
One scene that resonated with me was Lando’s ambush on the border with Mexico, leading to his imprisonment. The combination of desperation and a flicker of hope echoed the human condition’s complexity. Yet, after years of captivity, when Texas Rangers serendipitously save him, it felt like a turning point that lacked the weight it could have carried with richer character work.
Overall, Lando stands as an okay addition to the series, more entertaining than transformative. This read may appeal to fans who appreciate the grit of the Wild West and don’t mind a slightly forgettable narrative arc. It’s an introduction to rugged survival and moral dilemmas, but one that asks for more depth in its characters.
In closing, while Lando might not become a standout favorite for me among the Sacketts, it certainly offered a different flavor of the wild frontier I’ve come to love in L’Amour’s works. The brutal honesty of Lando’s life serves as a reminder of resilience, making it a worthy read for those who enjoy tales of survival against all odds. If you’re looking for a serious exploration of grit and ambition in the backdrop of America’s frontier, this book might just ignite that adventurous spirit within you.
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