The Legend of Luke facts for kids
UK first edition cover
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| Author | Brian Jacques |
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| Cover artist | Chris Baker |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Redwall |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Hutchinson (UK) & Philomel (US) |
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Publication date
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1999 |
| Media type | Print (hardback and paperback) |
| Pages | 374 (UK Hardback) & 374 (US Hardback) |
| ISBN | 0-09-176862-4 (UK Hardback) & ISBN: 0-399-23490-X (US Hardback) |
| OCLC | 41645963 |
| Preceded by | Marlfox |
| Followed by | Lord Brocktree |
The Legend of Luke is an exciting fantasy novel written by Brian Jacques. It was published in 1999. This book is the 12th story in the popular Redwall series. It tells a tale that happens early in the Redwall timeline.
Contents
The Story of Luke's Legend
The adventure begins while Redwall Abbey is being built. A traveling hedgehog named Trimp visits the construction site. She sings a song to help the workers lift a heavy beam. Martin the Warrior hears the song. He recognizes his father, Luke the Warrior, mentioned in the lyrics. Martin asks Trimp to tell him more about Luke.
Martin decides to go on a journey to learn about his father. He travels with his friends: Gonff the Mousethief, Dinny, and Trimp. Along the way, they meet new friends. These include Chugger, an orphaned squirrel, and Krar Woodwatcher, a bird. They also meet two otter brothers, Folgrim and Tungro. Folgrim is a bit wild and has very sharp teeth.
Meeting Old Friends
When the group reaches the northlands, Martin meets his father's old friends. There is Vurg, an old mouse, and Beauclair Fethringsol Cosfortingham, a lively old hare. They show Martin a special book. It is called In the Wake of the Red Ship. This book tells the story of Luke's life.
The story then goes back in time to Martin's birth. Luke and Sayna are his parents. Luke was the leader of a mouse tribe. They lived a peaceful life for many years. But then, a pirate captain named Vilu Daskar attacked their home. Daskar was the leader of the Goreleech ship and his Sea Rogues. They harmed Sayna and many others. Luke promised to get revenge on Daskar.
Soon, Luke got his chance. A ship called the Greenhawk arrived. Its captain, Reynard Chopsnout, wanted to fix his broken ship. Luke and his tribe took over the Greenhawk. They captured the ship and sailed away. Martin, who was older now, wanted to go with his father. But Luke told him to stay. He gave Martin his sword. Luke also let Martin name the ship, which he called Sayna.
Luke's Brave Journey
The book about Luke's life describes the moment he gave his sword to Martin. This same event is also shown in the beginning of Martin the Warrior. In that book, Martin remembers his childhood. He was captured by Badrang the Tyrant. This means the events in the second part of The Legend of Luke happened around the same time as Martin the Warrior.
During their journey, Beau was thought to be lost, but he survived. Luke, however, was captured by Daskar. He was forced to work as a slave after the Sayna was destroyed. Luke became friends with a black squirrel named Ranguvar Foeseeker. She also wanted revenge on Daskar. Luke was very much like his son, Martin. For example, Luke threatened a slavedriver. Similarly, Martin once tried to stop a cruel creature with its own whip.
Luke tricked Daskar into thinking he knew where a hidden treasure was. He said only he could guide the ship there. Meanwhile, Vurg and Beau secretly boarded the ship. They planned to free the slaves. Luke and Ranguvar fought against Daskar's crew. Luke had planned to crash the ship near his tribe. But he realized his tribe had moved away. So, Luke ordered the slaves to take control of the ship. He trapped Daskar at one end of the ship. Then, Luke crashed the ship against two large rocks, breaking it apart. The back of the ship sank quickly. Luke, Ranguvar, Daskar, and many of the crew were lost in the water. The front of the ship got stuck between the rocks. The remaining crew were defeated by the freed slaves.
A Warrior's Legacy
Beau and Vurg gave Martin a special tapestry. It showed his ancestor, who looked a lot like Martin. Martin and his friends then returned to Redwall. It is said that Martin chose to live a peaceful life there and put down his sword. The tapestry Martin received later became part of the large tapestry that hangs in Redwall Abbey throughout the Redwall series.
Main Characters in The Legend of Luke
- Martin the Warrior
- Luke the Warrior
- Gonff the Mousethief
- Columbine
- Abbess Germaine
- Bella of Brockhall
- Dinny
- Krar Woodwatcher
- Folgrim and Tungro
- Beauclair Fethringsol Cosfortingham (Beau)
- Vilu Daskar
- Ranguvar Foeseeker
- Reynard Chopsnout
- Ferdy Stickle and Coggs Stickle
- Spike and Posy Stickle
- Log a Log Furmo
Book Sections
The English version of The Legend of Luke is divided into three main parts:
- Book 1: Martin
- Book 2: Luke
- Book 3: A Warrior's Legacy
Other Languages
The Legend of Luke has been translated into several languages:
- (French) Rougemuraille : Le Guerrier disparu
- (Italian) La Leggenda di Luca
- (Russian) Легенда о Льюке
