The Landloper: The Romance of a Man on Foot

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

4712

Title

The Landloper: The Romance of a Man on Foot

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A spirited romance of a man on foot, this novel follows Walker Farr, a self-styled 'landloper' who traverses the American landscape with an independent spirit. Blending social commentary with adventure, the story explores themes of class prejudice, political corruption, and the search for personal integrity against the backdrop of early 20th-century politics and rural life.

Summary up to 500 words

In Holman Day's *The Landloper: The Romance of a Man on Foot* (1915), the narrative follows Walker Farr, a rugged, sunburnt wanderer who traverses the American highways of 1915 while rejecting the labels of vagabond or tramp. His journey intersects with the lives of the Kilgour family, particularly the troubled and beautiful Kate Kilgour, whose family has fallen into poverty. Farr's path is marked by rural hardship; he assists a broken-down automobile, clashes with prejudiced locals, and engages in a philosophical exchange with a farmer regarding the nature of work and identity. Beneath his rough exterior, Farr is revealed to be the sophisticated Archer Converse Bristol, a man of intellect and principle. His travels bring him into conflict with a corrupt political machine led by Colonel Symonds Dodd, who seeks to eliminate Farr as a rival influence. The story weaves together scenes of personal romance and high-stakes political maneuvering during a state convention. While the political bosses, including Colonel Dodd and his nephew Richard, rely on cynicism and bribery, Farr represents an idealistic force that challenges the status quo. The novel culminates in a confrontation between entrenched corruption and the resilience of the individual spirit. Farr exposes the machinations of party bosses and advocates for reform, refusing to be intimidated by the cynical world of power brokers. A significant subplot involves the revelation that Kate Kilgour has moved in with a kind-hearted family, Mother Maillet, after her own family's decline. When Farr returns to her, he finds her waiting, resolving their separation. The story offers a critique of the political machinery of the era while celebrating the transformative power of honesty, personal integrity, and the 'divine spark' found in humble individuals. Through Farr's journey, Day illustrates that true leadership and moral strength often emerge from the most unexpected places, disrupting the gears of a corrupt system.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg4712.epub

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Categories

• Fiction
• Politics