Redwall Abbey

Brian Jacques' Works (Spoilers) => General Discussion => Topic started by: Wylder Treejumper on September 17, 2016, 07:26:17 PM

Title: Commentary on the Book The Long Patrol
Post by: Wylder Treejumper on September 17, 2016, 07:26:17 PM
For discussion related to the book The Long Patrol.

@James Gryphon: If these topics are considered unnecessary please delete.
Title: Re: Commentary on the Book The Long Patrol
Post by: belle on September 21, 2016, 04:27:36 AM
It was ok, wasn't wild about it.
Title: Re: Commentary on the Book The Long Patrol
Post by: alexandre on November 06, 2016, 05:17:49 PM
Quote from: belle on September 21, 2016, 04:27:36 AM
It was ok, wasn't wild about it.

Really? I thought it was great, second only to Mossflower!

Tammo's whole journey and everything was so awesome, I always thought the Long Patrol was a real cool idea on Jacques' part.

A whole book about it was definitely good in my opinion.

Though I can see some possible reasons not to like it.

The villain was pretty mediocre, Cregga was cool but stupid, I don't even remember what went on at Redwall other than that Tam visited. Was that the book where they had to build a new south wall?
Title: Re: Commentary on the Book The Long Patrol
Post by: Lady Ashenwyte on December 28, 2016, 04:12:40 PM
Yep.

The battle was amazing. Still reread it for that part and the parts where Cregga is a bad(butt)
Title: Re: Commentary on the Book The Long Patrol
Post by: Captain Tammo on December 31, 2016, 02:03:41 AM
This was the first redwall book I ever read and it's still one of my favorites. I remember, after re-reading it a few times, I started getting a little too used to the story. HOWEVER, next time you look at this story, don't look at it as a tale about Tammo. Instead, look at this story as a tale about what the book is named after: the long patrol. I argue that the book isn't about Tammo and Cregga and fighting the rapscallions - it's about the culture of the long patrol.

We see many chapters based on the hares at the mountain. Here, we get to see how the hares interact with the badger lord and one another, some of the traditions in the hare's rite of passage into the long patrol, and the culture that the hares share when they're marching out to meet the rapscallion army.

Secondly, we also see the long patrol culture from the perspective of a unit that's out scouting the land. This plays into the story of a young hare who is stary-eyed with the longing to join them and learn about the long patrol. How do units in the field interact with each other and their environment? What traditions do they have and what happens when they come across trouble? Brian was addressing these questions we had when he wrote in Tammo's quest.

Taking a second look at the long patrol as a story which develops this strange 'army' we've somewhat become used to, it takes on a new light as a whole and I think it reads as almost a different book entirely. Next time you read this one, think of it as a story about the long patrol and developing that entity in the series, rather than a story that is about Tammo. You may find out there was a whole different story sitting there under your nose ;)
Title: Re: Commentary on the Book The Long Patrol
Post by: Frank Clydth on April 14, 2018, 11:24:12 AM
Also the first redwall book i read. Lady Cregga Rose Eyes demolished Damug Warfang and his army. Epic Battle depiction! The long patrol sparked my interest obsession with the redwall series.
Title: Re: Commentary on the Book The Long Patrol
Post by: clunylooney on April 19, 2020, 05:18:14 PM
I really enjoyed it. The Long Patrol in this book is probably my favorite. The Battle at the end was the best in the series and the book itself was very enjoyable. Nothing SUPER amazing but I liked the characters and the journey.
Title: Re: Commentary on the Book The Long Patrol
Post by: Cornflower MM on April 20, 2021, 03:44:41 AM
Welcome to the twelfth book in our series readalong event: The Long Patrol!

For those who have not already seen, here are a couple things to note before you start discussing:

Finally, here are a few guiding questions for discussion if you are unsure what to talk about:

Have fun, and happy discussing!