What do you think?
Rate this book
Lone Wolf #5
The Lone Wolf Returns
1923. American screenwriter, short story writer and novelist. Vance's The Lone Wolf books feature Michael Lanyard as a charming sort of rogue, a European jewel thief with a soft spot for damsels in distress, trained in the criminal arts by the mysterious Irishman, Bourke. This is the fifth volume in his Lone Wolf stories. The book begins: I love you, said Michael Lanyard. He spoke in French; and that simple phrase, covered by the surging song of strings and woodwinds, was inaudible to other ears. Only the woman with him heard and, hearing, roused from the reverie into which she too insensibly had lapsed, turning back from the prismatic pageantry of the dance eyes whose grave regard gave never a clue to the emotions his words inspired. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.
376 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1923
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Louis Joseph Vance
197 books6 followersLouis Joseph Vance was a novelist educated in the preparatory department of the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. He wrote short stories and verse after 1901, then composed many popular novels. His character "Michael Lanyard", also known as "The Lone Wolf", was featured in eight books and 24 films between 1914 and 1949, and also appeared in radio and television series.
Vance was separated from his wife (whom he married in 1898 and by whom he had a son the next year) when he was found dead in a burnt armchair inside his New York apartment; a cigarette had ignited some benzene (used for cleaning his clothes or for his broken jaw) that he had on his body and he was intoxicated at the time. He had recently returned from the West Indies, where he gathered material for a new book. The death was ruled accidental.
Vance was separated from his wife (whom he married in 1898 and by whom he had a son the next year) when he was found dead in a burnt armchair inside his New York apartment; a cigarette had ignited some benzene (used for cleaning his clothes or for his broken jaw) that he had on his body and he was intoxicated at the time. He had recently returned from the West Indies, where he gathered material for a new book. The death was ruled accidental.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 3, 2015
I love the Lone Wolf series of films and recently hoped to find a copy of one of the books the series is derived. I found a copy of Vance's 'The Lone Wolf Returns' in an unexpected place- a home school convention. A first edition, no less, from 1923.
As can be the case, the book can be very different from film. In this case, 'The Lone Wolf' had to be played by someone like Warren William, as he did. Thus, the film interpretation is solid. The rest of the book is far less focused than a film has to be to fit an allotted slot. I have the feeling author Vance need those constraints.
The book begins with character interaction involving a love story that leads to a surprise meeting that leads to a party that leads to an angry meeting that leads to... Lots of leading, but, as a reader, not knowing to where. This book is more of a character study than the mystery genre the character is known for otherwise.
Apparently, author Vance decided to end the series with this book at one point and seems he also decided this to be more a reflection of the concerns of age and accomplishments. The main character does an enormous amount of looking back and considering his place in the world.
There is plenty of bad guys and thieving. The legend of 'The Lone Wolf' as gentleman thief is very well cemented into the book. But it is hard to call this a who-done-it. There is a bit of a surprise at the end involving a few of the characters, but that is for another reader to discover.
The problem of this book is the meandering of thought over written for page after page. If the story was to be of a tortured soul, that might be OK, but then there's a criminal story that is entwined in it all. The rambling is a bit much when a book is having problems of focus.
Then there's an issue involving a main character being out of commission for 7 months with an explanation that is more than poorly written and plotted. It's pivotal in the book and huge stumble.
The thing is the writing is outstanding. The rambling is great to read just for the deftness of assembling the words. There are descriptions of setting, characters adn dialogue that are exemplary.
Unfortunately, it all come s together with an emptiness that might reflect the writers uncertainty of continuing the character.
Bottom line: I don't recomend the book. 6 out of 10 points.
As can be the case, the book can be very different from film. In this case, 'The Lone Wolf' had to be played by someone like Warren William, as he did. Thus, the film interpretation is solid. The rest of the book is far less focused than a film has to be to fit an allotted slot. I have the feeling author Vance need those constraints.
The book begins with character interaction involving a love story that leads to a surprise meeting that leads to a party that leads to an angry meeting that leads to... Lots of leading, but, as a reader, not knowing to where. This book is more of a character study than the mystery genre the character is known for otherwise.
Apparently, author Vance decided to end the series with this book at one point and seems he also decided this to be more a reflection of the concerns of age and accomplishments. The main character does an enormous amount of looking back and considering his place in the world.
There is plenty of bad guys and thieving. The legend of 'The Lone Wolf' as gentleman thief is very well cemented into the book. But it is hard to call this a who-done-it. There is a bit of a surprise at the end involving a few of the characters, but that is for another reader to discover.
The problem of this book is the meandering of thought over written for page after page. If the story was to be of a tortured soul, that might be OK, but then there's a criminal story that is entwined in it all. The rambling is a bit much when a book is having problems of focus.
Then there's an issue involving a main character being out of commission for 7 months with an explanation that is more than poorly written and plotted. It's pivotal in the book and huge stumble.
The thing is the writing is outstanding. The rambling is great to read just for the deftness of assembling the words. There are descriptions of setting, characters adn dialogue that are exemplary.
Unfortunately, it all come s together with an emptiness that might reflect the writers uncertainty of continuing the character.
Bottom line: I don't recomend the book. 6 out of 10 points.
Displaying 1 of 1 review