The Explorer

The Explorer This 1964 novel by Frances Parkinson Keyes follows Nicolas Hale, a determined explorer from Vermont who models himself after Hiram Bingham, the discoverer of Machu Picchu. Set in 1953 Virginia and Peru, the story traces Nicolas's pursuit of archaeological glory in the Andes Mountains. Nicolas enters into a marriage with Margaret Porterfield, a Virginia aristocrat, solely to secure an heir who will carry on his legacy. The marriage begins with clear terms - Nicolas will spend most of his time in Peru pursuing his excavations while Margaret maintains their home in Virginia. Over five years, Nicolas dedicates himself to searching for a hidden city in Peru that could bring him fame and fortune. His single-minded focus on exploration and long absences from Virginia put increasing strain on his marriage to Margaret. The novel examines themes of ambition versus duty, the costs of pursuing one's dreams, and the complex dynamics between personal fulfillment and marital obligations.

Limited reviews exist online for this older book (published 1964), making it difficult to gauge overall reader sentiment. Readers praised: - Rich historical details about French Quarter life in 1850s New Orleans - The slow-building romance between main characters - Keyes' research and accuracy about Creole culture - Supporting characters and period dialogue - Descriptions of architecture and local customs Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the first third - Too much focus on clothing and decor details - Length (over 600 pages) - Main character comes across as arrogant Available Ratings: Goodreads: 3.92/5 (24 ratings, 2 reviews) Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating One reader noted: "The Explorer contains Keyes' signature attention to historical accuracy but takes too long to get moving." The book appears to have fallen into relative obscurity compared to Keyes' other New Orleans novels like Dinner at Antoine's.

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🔍 The real-life discovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham III in 1911 served as direct inspiration for the novel's central archaeological quest. 📚 Frances Parkinson Keyes wrote over 50 novels and became one of America's most widely read authors of the 1940s and 1950s, regularly appearing on bestseller lists. 🏛️ The author conducted extensive research in Peru and Virginia to accurately portray both locations, spending several months living in each place while writing the book. 🌎 The novel explores a pivotal time in archaeology (1950s) when new technologies were beginning to transform how ancient sites were discovered and studied. 🎭 The character of Margaret Porterfield was partially inspired by several prominent Virginia socialites whom Keyes knew personally through her connections in Washington D.C. society.