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by Томас Бертрам Костейн

A magnificent historical romance chronicling the adventures of the fabulous Le Moyne Family of Montreal who became the heroes of French Canada and founded the storied city of New Orleans.

“Beyond [a] brief record of [the Le Moyne brothers’] achievements and the vital statistics in the archives at Montreal, what is known of the ten stout brothers? What manner of men were they? Were they typical of the French-Canadian people of this early period, brave, resolute, devout, light-hearted?

“To deal with them as characters in a novel, therefore, is a task approaching that of the scientist who tries to reconstruct a monster of prehistoric times with nothing more to go on than a broken rib and a fragment of jawbone. The result is certain to raise doubts in the minds of historians who are skeptical necessarily of anything stemming from the imagination. In my opinion, nevertheless, the only way to tell the saga of the Le Moynes, and to attempt the rescue of these remarkable brothers from the oblivion into which they have sunk, is to set down their story in the guise of historical fiction.” (Thomas B. Costain, Introduction)

Source: Google Books.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Canada, Historical

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1947

Reviews

[Derrick Grose · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a romantic tale of historic fiction this novel is reasonably entertaining, but as a tribute to an alliance of strong and brave seigneurs, tradesmen and habitants of New France to overcome the harsh environment, corrupt and incompetent officialdom in France, and savage natives oversimplifies and misrepresents reality. Ultimately the heroes are represented as laying the groundwork not just for the French Empire in New France and Lousiana but, ultimately, for the "civilized" North American continent we see today. First nations resistance is dismissed in a few sentences although it is a prop that lurks in the background for most of the book. The juxtaposition of this perspective with my recent reading of Michel Jean's Kukum> was jolting.

[Kelhi Herring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my favorite Costain book thus far, but impressive in terms of how much time and space it spans. He has the ability to get you into a historical period and get you caught up in the lives of his characters. Interestingly, these characters are distinct from the characters in his other books I’ve read thus far.

What’s most impressive about this book is that I started reading it with Maeghan before she was dating Nolan (they are three years married now). I was able to get back into this book after having not touched it for years! Wow! (And I think I would have been more emotionally involved if it wasn’t for that big gap.)

As always, Costain makes me want to learn more about the actual history.

[Andrew Peacock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on the LeMoyne family. It is amazing how little has been written about this illustrious group. Pierre LeMoyne, known as D'Iberville is one the most amazing characters in Canadian history and his nine brothers were almost as fascinating. There has been nothing of note written in English about these men since the 1950's. High Towers doesn't add much to our knowledge of the LeMoynes, as the significance of their history is at times overshadowed by the fictional romance that ties the book together.

[John Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's one story where the romance in Costain's novels doesn't distract or pull down the story. The history of the "Canadian Maccabees" is fascinating, but there isn't much to the story that could be pulled into a single novel. So focusing on the life of a single person in the midst of the story, her life and troubles and desires to support the French (Canadian-French) cause, is appropriate and meaningful. Good story.

[Mgb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long saga into which you slowly sink. Don’t rush it.

[Jason Reeser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice little gem that I found after reading up on the author. I had read a few of his books as a young teen (I have always enjoyed historical romance-adventures). This one drew my attention as it was a fictional account of the founding of New Orleans, a city that I have a great love for. And if any city's founding is fascinating, it should be NOLA, being such an oddity as it is. This book was nothing special, though it did a good job of building a few nice characters and plot lines that were worth the time. And Costain always did a good job of writing with language that was something like a mix between Dickens and Margaret Mitchell. I don't think most modern men would like this sort of thing, and am even doubtful about modern women. But I always like it. It is like reading a novelization of a 50's historical epic movie from Paramount, in technicolor! I never really see these in a realistic setting, but more along the lines of sound stages with bright colors and rather corny but fancy costumes. That's not the authors fault, mind you, but the fault of my having watched too many of these sorts of movies as a young child. But in an odd way, that makes books like this all the more wonderful.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story about the founding and beginning days of the city of New Orleans. The book is about the LeMoyne family and their contributions to the cities of Montreal, Quebec and New Orleans. Interwoven into the story is the romance between a young woman who was taken in as a young child by the LeMoyne family, and a poor carpenter with whom she fell in love with as a child. Obligations to family and country prevented their romance from coming to fruition and the story chronicles their lives as fate seems to bring them to the same place, although for different reasons.

[Joseph Toth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reading this book was an exercise in self-flagellation if you want to punish yourself then this is the book for you. The plot is boring and the characters are one dimensional, at no point was I emotionally or intellectually invested in this book.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reinforces the importance of loyalty and makes you believe that it will be rewarded. It was fun to picture New Orleans in the very beginning, struggling to become a colony.

[Peter Learn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay. I wasn't nearly as enthralled as I was when I was 20. Characters pretty thin.