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The Grove of Ashtaroth
" 'I am going to live somewhere hereabouts,' he answered at last.
I whistled. 'Then you've got to put your hand in your pocket, old man. You'll have to make everything, including a map of the countryside.'
'I know,' he said; 'that's where the fun comes in. Hang it all, why shouldn't I indulge my fancy? I'm uncommonly well off, and I haven't chick or child to leave it to. Supposing I'm a hundred miles from a railhead, what about it? I'll make a motor-road and fix up a telephone. I'll grow most of my supplies, and starta colony to provide labour. When you come and stay with me, you'll get the best food and drink on earth, and sport that will make your mouth water. I'll put Lochleven trout in these streams—at 6000 feet you can do anything. We'll have a pack of hounds, too, and we can drive pig in the wood(...)".
I whistled. 'Then you've got to put your hand in your pocket, old man. You'll have to make everything, including a map of the countryside.'
'I know,' he said; 'that's where the fun comes in. Hang it all, why shouldn't I indulge my fancy? I'm uncommonly well off, and I haven't chick or child to leave it to. Supposing I'm a hundred miles from a railhead, what about it? I'll make a motor-road and fix up a telephone. I'll grow most of my supplies, and starta colony to provide labour. When you come and stay with me, you'll get the best food and drink on earth, and sport that will make your mouth water. I'll put Lochleven trout in these streams—at 6000 feet you can do anything. We'll have a pack of hounds, too, and we can drive pig in the wood(...)".
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First published April 1, 1912
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About the author
John Buchan
1,686 books464 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
John Buchan was a Scottish novelist, historian, and Unionist politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the 15th since Canadian Confederation.
As a youth, Buchan began writing poetry and prose, fiction and non-fiction, publishing his first novel in 1895 and ultimately writing over a hundred books of which the best known is The Thirty-Nine Steps. After attending Glasgow and Oxford universities, he practised as a barrister. In 1901, he served as a private secretary to Lord Milner in southern Africa towards the end of the Boer War. He returned to England in 1903, continued as a barrister and journalist. He left the Bar when he joined Thomas Nelson and Sons publishers in 1907. During the First World War, he was, among other activities, Director of Information in 1917 and later Head of Intelligence at the newly-formed Ministry of Information. He was elected Member of Parliament for the Combined Scottish Universities in 1927.
In 1935, King George V, on the advice of Canadian Prime Minister R. B. Bennett, appointed Buchan to succeed the Earl of Bessborough as Governor General of Canada and two months later raised him to the peerage as 1st Baron Tweedsmuir. He occupied the post until his death in 1940. Buchan promoted Canadian unity and helped strengthen the sovereignty of Canada constitutionally and culturally. He received a state funeral in Canada before his ashes were returned to the United Kingdom.
John Buchan was a Scottish novelist, historian, and Unionist politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the 15th since Canadian Confederation.
As a youth, Buchan began writing poetry and prose, fiction and non-fiction, publishing his first novel in 1895 and ultimately writing over a hundred books of which the best known is The Thirty-Nine Steps. After attending Glasgow and Oxford universities, he practised as a barrister. In 1901, he served as a private secretary to Lord Milner in southern Africa towards the end of the Boer War. He returned to England in 1903, continued as a barrister and journalist. He left the Bar when he joined Thomas Nelson and Sons publishers in 1907. During the First World War, he was, among other activities, Director of Information in 1917 and later Head of Intelligence at the newly-formed Ministry of Information. He was elected Member of Parliament for the Combined Scottish Universities in 1927.
In 1935, King George V, on the advice of Canadian Prime Minister R. B. Bennett, appointed Buchan to succeed the Earl of Bessborough as Governor General of Canada and two months later raised him to the peerage as 1st Baron Tweedsmuir. He occupied the post until his death in 1940. Buchan promoted Canadian unity and helped strengthen the sovereignty of Canada constitutionally and culturally. He received a state funeral in Canada before his ashes were returned to the United Kingdom.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 28, 2017
Oh Lordy. This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever read.
This short story is written in that odd, old-timey style of narration in which the narrator is more of an outside observer than a character himself, and for the sake of this story, it really works. The prose is rich and a pleasure to read.
The story views (briefly and at a distance) the contrasts between Judaism and paganism--and does a beautiful job of it. The old half-lovely half-ugly glory of the pagan world is painted perfectly, and I really love the grace with which the story fails to make a single, certain conclusion.
This short story is written in that odd, old-timey style of narration in which the narrator is more of an outside observer than a character himself, and for the sake of this story, it really works. The prose is rich and a pleasure to read.
The story views (briefly and at a distance) the contrasts between Judaism and paganism--and does a beautiful job of it. The old half-lovely half-ugly glory of the pagan world is painted perfectly, and I really love the grace with which the story fails to make a single, certain conclusion.
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May 5, 2019I think I greatly misunderstood this as I read/listened to it, based on my class discussions, so it’s probably worth a re-read...but wow, another gothic story steeped in both racism AND antisemitism! Obviously it’s tricky to fault the story itself for the problematic perspective of its author during a time in which these ideas were ubiquitous...but, it’s really central to the plot and conflict in this one? Because of that, this story definitely offers a useful lens into the time period it was written...really interesting gender stuff going on, too!
March 23, 2016
Listened to it on the Classic Tales podcast, of which I am a big fan. Many of the stories there, being primarily from the 19th century, have politically incorrect aspects. But this one is so riddled with racism, antisemitism and sexism I felt sick after hearing it. It's like a perfect aryan myth - the industrious white man conquers the perfect piece of African nature but is nearly ruined by it. He discovers in the heart lurks an ancient feminine witchery. Because he has a secret Jewish ancestor he falls prey to its power. But his great white 100% Christian buddy isn't susceptible and sees that he must completely destroy the rare intact culture and magnificent landscape of the site to save him. The fact that the "hero" feels regret but does it any way, basically reenacting the destruction of the goddess/Mother Earth does not redeem him though the author implies that. Apparently 1 drop of "racial" blood pollutes a whole man, making him prone to carnal and sick ecstasies. Good thing super WASP is there to save the day with fire, dynamite and salt. To really deconstruct it would take all day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 26, 2015I was pointed at this ambiguous little piece - I think the first Buchan I've read - by a mention in a Christopher Hitchens piece. And it's very good. The evocation of landscape and the ambivalent reaction to the call of the old gods recall Arthur Machen, and the narrator's terrible burden is haunting.
August 31, 2023
3.25⭐
Lawson an Englishman of partly Semitic ancestry decides to build his new home on a piece of land thirty miles north of a place called Taqui, South Africa he had discovered while out hunting with his friend, the narrator. In the center of this land was a glen with a copse of tall fairy-like tress with a little conical tower, ancient and lichened in its center. When the narrator visits Lawson three years later to see his friend's home he has built, he sees a marked difference in him. Lawson seems to have suffered from the results of a reversion to an ancient Near-Eastern pagan ritualistic religion that honors the goddess Ishtar. He falls under the sway of the spell of the conical tower shrine and revives the worship to the goddess. The narrator finds himself obliged to destroy the gorgeous little temple of a sensual cult, because he believes that by doing so will salvage the health and sanity of his friend Lawson. But he simultaneously believes himself to be committing an unpardonable act of desecration, and the eerie voice he hears beseeching him to stay his hand is one that is unmistakably feminine. The voice fades as the temple is finally destroyed.
Lawson an Englishman of partly Semitic ancestry decides to build his new home on a piece of land thirty miles north of a place called Taqui, South Africa he had discovered while out hunting with his friend, the narrator. In the center of this land was a glen with a copse of tall fairy-like tress with a little conical tower, ancient and lichened in its center. When the narrator visits Lawson three years later to see his friend's home he has built, he sees a marked difference in him. Lawson seems to have suffered from the results of a reversion to an ancient Near-Eastern pagan ritualistic religion that honors the goddess Ishtar. He falls under the sway of the spell of the conical tower shrine and revives the worship to the goddess. The narrator finds himself obliged to destroy the gorgeous little temple of a sensual cult, because he believes that by doing so will salvage the health and sanity of his friend Lawson. But he simultaneously believes himself to be committing an unpardonable act of desecration, and the eerie voice he hears beseeching him to stay his hand is one that is unmistakably feminine. The voice fades as the temple is finally destroyed.
February 5, 2024
Set in Taqui, South Africa, the narrator's friend, an Englishman called Lawson, decides to build an impressive house and garden on a beautiful piece of land.
The area happens to be near a mysterious monument which the narrator associates with an ancient god called Ashtaroth, and with groups of people from biblical times.
The narrator describes Lawson's hereditary background from both England and the near east. He also points out religious affiliations associated with other characters in the story.
The story centers on Lawson's reaction to the monument and how people from other traditions to Lawson are able to help him out when events take an unexpected turn.
.................
Ashtaroth
Astaroth (also Ashtaroth, Astarot and Asteroth), in demonology, is known to be the Great Duke of Hell in the first hierarchy with Beelzebub and Lucifer; he is part of the evil trinity. He is known to be a male figure, most likely named after the Near Eastern goddess Astarte.
The area happens to be near a mysterious monument which the narrator associates with an ancient god called Ashtaroth, and with groups of people from biblical times.
The narrator describes Lawson's hereditary background from both England and the near east. He also points out religious affiliations associated with other characters in the story.
The story centers on Lawson's reaction to the monument and how people from other traditions to Lawson are able to help him out when events take an unexpected turn.
.................
Ashtaroth
Astaroth (also Ashtaroth, Astarot and Asteroth), in demonology, is known to be the Great Duke of Hell in the first hierarchy with Beelzebub and Lucifer; he is part of the evil trinity. He is known to be a male figure, most likely named after the Near Eastern goddess Astarte.
January 11, 2016
Can nature runs amuck and steal a person's soul?
Listened to this on Classic Tales Podcast where the summary included: "Today’s story is by John Buchan, chiefly known for his spy novel The 39 Steps. Buchan was a prolific writer, and delved occasionally in weird fiction. This story struck me as particularly poignant today, where we seem to run into a lot of black and white thinking. Originally written in 1910."
Listened to this on Classic Tales Podcast where the summary included: "Today’s story is by John Buchan, chiefly known for his spy novel The 39 Steps. Buchan was a prolific writer, and delved occasionally in weird fiction. This story struck me as particularly poignant today, where we seem to run into a lot of black and white thinking. Originally written in 1910."
April 19, 2016
Audiobook narrated by B.J. Harrison on The Classic Tales Podcast
May 13, 2021
A 1910 story - part of a book I read long ago - titled 'Adventure Stories'
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews