Out on Any Limb: An Elizabethan Adventure

by John Myers Myers

“I half expected to run across my opponent as I escaped, but as it turned out I met no one at all in my stealthy trip to get my saddlebags from my room and my equally secretive visit to the stable. My horse was against being saddle at such an hour, but my grim firmness made short work of his rebellion. A drizzle abetted the dank chill of the hours as I rode forth . . . Next time I met that one, I swore to myself, things would be different.”

401 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1942

About the author

Myers was born and grew up on Long Island, New York. He attended the University of New Mexico briefly, but was expelled for being one of the writers in a rebel newspaper, The Pariah. After extensive travel through Europe and the United States, Myers worked for the New York World and San Antonio Evening News. He was also an advertising copywriter. Myers served a short term in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1943, he married Charlotte Shanahan, with whom he had two daughters. He settled in Tempe, Arizona in 1948. John Myers Myers died October 30, 1988.

Reviews

[Theo Logos · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are familiar with writer John Myers Myers at all, it is likely because you have read either his cult classic literary fantasy `Silverlock', or one of his histories of the American West. Myers' five historical novels have been mostly out of print for ages, and it is likely that even many great fans of his work have not read them. This is unfortunate, for many of the elements that make `Silverlock' and his histories such unique and entertaining works are present in his historical fiction as well. `Out On Any Limb' is an excellent example of this fact.

`Out On Any Limb' is a fast paced, entertaining adventure story set in the England of Elizabeth I. The story line should be familiar to anyone who has read any of Myers' fiction - a shallow young gentleman takes to the road, goes through a series of adventures through which he matures and gains knowledge both of himself and the wider world. It is a simple story that allows for a maximum of interesting adventures, as well as showing off the author's excellent understanding of the period in which it is set. Through the first person narration of protagonist Ingram Applegarth, gentleman, Myers gives us glimpses into social class, criminal justice, and court intrigue of 16th century England. We are introduced to characters ranging from aristocrat court favorites to the rogues, tinkers, and doxies who homelessly wandered the highways, all lined with great realism.

Myers had a great talent for using contemporary dialogue to lend a feeling of realism to his historical tales. The characters in `Out On Any Limb' speak in language that was familiar to the mid 20th century rather than making any attempt to use pseudo Shakespearian 16th century English. This technique eliminates one of the barriers to the suspension of disbelief, and works well in portraying customs of the period that are alien to modern minds.

The book is not without its weaknesses. Myers was sometimes negligent when creating characters. Though the protagonist is fully realized, as is his patron Sir Chidiock Sangrel, many others never rise above a single dimension. Even Giles, Ingram's best friend, traveling companion, and constant rival in frequent attempted romances, is little more than a cipher who is barely distinguishable from his companion.

It would be inaccurate to describe `Out On Any Limb' as a great classic, but it is a fine example of historical fiction adventure, and is great light entertainment. Anyone who has read and enjoyed Myers' masterpiece, `Silverlock', will find in this book many of the same elements which made that work so charming - from its structure as a road adventure to the use of Myers delightful original verse as songs throughout the novel. If you are a John Myers Myers fan, consider it well worth your while to scour used bookstores and libraries to find this long out of print book - you will not be disappointed.