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Glendraco
Kirstie Drummond faces an uncertain future and difficult choices - should she marry the insipid Findley against her heart's desire, or become a hostage to fortune? When she runs away to the Highlands, her strange and striking beauty begins to attract men from miles around. And the Highlanders believe Kirstie's family has a cursed history. Prompted by their talk, Kirstie sets out to discover the truth about her father's family, with shocking consequences.
364 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
1 person is currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Laura Black
65 books11 followersLaura Black was a pseudonym used by Roger Erskine Longrigg, Domini Taylor. Other pseudonym's used were Frank Parrish and Ivor Drummond.
Born in Scotland in 1929, Roger Longrigg worked initially in advertising, which provided the inspiration for his first novel, A High Pitched Buzz first published in 1953. His love of writing saw him delve into many genre's using pen names of Laura Black, Rosalind Erskine, Megan Barker, Iver Drummond and Domini Taylor. The Black books show his prowess at historical fiction, with a dash of romance, set against striking Scottish backgrounds. Longrigg died on February 26th 2000, aged 70
Born in Scotland in 1929, Roger Longrigg worked initially in advertising, which provided the inspiration for his first novel, A High Pitched Buzz first published in 1953. His love of writing saw him delve into many genre's using pen names of Laura Black, Rosalind Erskine, Megan Barker, Iver Drummond and Domini Taylor. The Black books show his prowess at historical fiction, with a dash of romance, set against striking Scottish backgrounds. Longrigg died on February 26th 2000, aged 70
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 21, 2017
Rating: 3 stars
Glendraco is 601 pages of gothic angst featuring ginger-haired orphan Christina living in Victorian Scotland with her zealous grandparents. Although the author was writing Christina/Kirstie as a fiery, independent, loving and courageous young woman, she mainly seemed TSTL, hot-tempered and impulsive. In her world, everyone either loved or hated her, and there were people who knew the history about her paternal grandfather, James Drummond, and those who did not.
This book has everything in it from jealous rivals, attempted rape, good-looking noblemen, beautiful heiresses, violent storms, splendid wilderness and wonderful animals. Christina draws all the males (and more) like a moth to a flame. Everything she undertakes she does well, whether it's dancing, fishing or learning to ride. I had to roll my eyes sometimes. Another point of irritation was having the local people talk in heavy Scottish dialogue which was distracting and difficult to read or understand. Still, Christina understood them when I did not!
The most admirable thing about Kirstie is that she did not take any garbage from anyone! When I say this girl kicked but, sometimes she literally did! Ha! She fought for herself and told people off when it was needed. It made her strong and someone who had a great deal of pride and self-respect. She was no doormat to anyone just because of her circumstances. I didn't like when she placed herself in situations that could have gotten her killed or worse. This chickadee had a lot of luck on her side!
This vintage romp of a book was just as fun as it was over the top to read. If you enjoy taking a dive into older books, then this is worth the roller-coaster ride, provided you can stand endless pages of dialogue.
Glendraco is 601 pages of gothic angst featuring ginger-haired orphan Christina living in Victorian Scotland with her zealous grandparents. Although the author was writing Christina/Kirstie as a fiery, independent, loving and courageous young woman, she mainly seemed TSTL, hot-tempered and impulsive. In her world, everyone either loved or hated her, and there were people who knew the history about her paternal grandfather, James Drummond, and those who did not.
This book has everything in it from jealous rivals, attempted rape, good-looking noblemen, beautiful heiresses, violent storms, splendid wilderness and wonderful animals. Christina draws all the males (and more) like a moth to a flame. Everything she undertakes she does well, whether it's dancing, fishing or learning to ride. I had to roll my eyes sometimes. Another point of irritation was having the local people talk in heavy Scottish dialogue which was distracting and difficult to read or understand. Still, Christina understood them when I did not!
The most admirable thing about Kirstie is that she did not take any garbage from anyone! When I say this girl kicked but, sometimes she literally did! Ha! She fought for herself and told people off when it was needed. It made her strong and someone who had a great deal of pride and self-respect. She was no doormat to anyone just because of her circumstances. I didn't like when she placed herself in situations that could have gotten her killed or worse. This chickadee had a lot of luck on her side!
This vintage romp of a book was just as fun as it was over the top to read. If you enjoy taking a dive into older books, then this is worth the roller-coaster ride, provided you can stand endless pages of dialogue.
February 13, 2017
I have to give this about 3.5 stars because I am just so stingy. So that’s good! I had no idea about the author going into this. I was intrigued because this is one of those vintage historicals written by a male author using a female pseudonym and I love the cover illustration. A sensible way to chose a book , yes? I seem to be a bit hooked on these lately. (Thanks Linda!)
It begins like many of the gothicky historical romances from this era with a young woman thrown into undesirable circumstances. Somehow she always ends up in a castle entrenched with a duke of sorts and she is clever and lovely but someone is always waiting to thwart her. And so it goes here. But this one takes place in Scotland with all the lovely trappings to go along with that setting. Byres, burns, bairns, braes and so forth. I enjoyed the injection of the Scottish Gaelic.
Of course this lassie is feisty and beautiful (unbeknownst to her) with an inappropriate independent streak. She skirts many a harrowing circumstance and fends off admiring lords left and right with the thrash of her riding whip. She spends the entire adventure desperately seeking the dreadful truth about her great grandfather that she is the spitting image of – we know this because those who knew him are aghast when they see her face for the first time. Everyone seems to know the dreadful history but no one will tell her! And so it goes.
There are many endearing characters, warm relationships, evil lurkers and lots of beautiful horses and riding escapades! Yay! Also some highly unlikely scenarios but I expected that.
This is fun, atmospheric, mysterious and romantic (yet mostly clean). Just what I like. Great vintage stuff. Would probably appeal to Holt lovers.
It begins like many of the gothicky historical romances from this era with a young woman thrown into undesirable circumstances. Somehow she always ends up in a castle entrenched with a duke of sorts and she is clever and lovely but someone is always waiting to thwart her. And so it goes here. But this one takes place in Scotland with all the lovely trappings to go along with that setting. Byres, burns, bairns, braes and so forth. I enjoyed the injection of the Scottish Gaelic.
Of course this lassie is feisty and beautiful (unbeknownst to her) with an inappropriate independent streak. She skirts many a harrowing circumstance and fends off admiring lords left and right with the thrash of her riding whip. She spends the entire adventure desperately seeking the dreadful truth about her great grandfather that she is the spitting image of – we know this because those who knew him are aghast when they see her face for the first time. Everyone seems to know the dreadful history but no one will tell her! And so it goes.
There are many endearing characters, warm relationships, evil lurkers and lots of beautiful horses and riding escapades! Yay! Also some highly unlikely scenarios but I expected that.
This is fun, atmospheric, mysterious and romantic (yet mostly clean). Just what I like. Great vintage stuff. Would probably appeal to Holt lovers.
February 16, 2017
If this historical Scottish romance/family tree novel would have ended at the 75% point I would have been tempted to give it 4 stars. But then it became too "perils of Pauline" for me. Just beyond my ability to accept as possible- the ending and most of the "action" after the Countess (the Dragon's) sickness.
This has a different aspect in the characterizations than most romance fare does, and that's what I liked the most about it. Usually we get female depth from the narrator. Her own, that core of identity for herself, that especially. In this one we get a much more intricate insight to the men, IMHO. It's a juxtaposition of most romance fare, even the best, like Heyer. You have MANY men that are suitors. And each and every one of them gets his own stage for acting out his "play", IMHO. We see that ALL men are swayed by our heroine.
We get all the various physical types, but surprisingly, we also get the different personality types clearly cut and defined. Shapes and approaches- varying. But all are gentlemen. Despite different ploys and reactions. Fun and laughter loving buddy who teaches her to fish was the best, IMHO. Draco- far more two dimensional. Sex and money being the two planks in this platform.
For the females of the first three quarters of this book we have nearly no internal point of view, except for our much sought after Kristie Drummond. The red haired beauty who knocks them off their feet with a glance. All the men. And this is something I have NEVER seen in real life, so that is why this genre rarely attracts me. It's fairy tale territory. But some of the most beloved readings seem to be fairy tales?
The other under characters that are female have immense physical description but there is not a window anywhere in the room for anyone to see any but what is on the outside. Angelica, the Dragon, Eugenie, even Georgina. Just smiles or glares or perfect calm repose- but you have NO idea of their individuality. Nor to understand anything about what they themselves ARE or truly want. With one exception for Angelica that is closer to the end of the book than the beginning, you get a mere glimpse. With the men you get not only the core motives, but their entire game plan in detail.
Very strange for a romance to be written "backward" to the internals, IMHO.
But the story goes on and on. Even returning to her grandparents' home at one point. And the adventures of run away continue too. And the last to a just horrendous outpost and denigrating situation that should have been avoided at all costs. If Kristie would have had any true snit and verve, IMHO, or the level of smarts assumed up to this point and stated as "spirit" in 1000 ways during this long tract- she would never have followed that "needed" information to the neighborhood of the bloated faced man.
Which is why, even with some of the originality of the mysterious grandfather and everyone "recognizing" her face- the first star was lost. And that is because of the dialect coupled with the overused word. Icy appears as an eye cast- about 5 times on just one page. And with all the ethnic and iconic tartan color in both the topography of the land, horses, buildings, cofters' peat moss burning spaces- the adjectives become repeated. And repeated.
You will like this entire "feel" far more if you love horses, know how to ride them, was a great fan of Outlander- and also like a touch of that "seer" or "the gift of sight" in your old hags.
This has a different aspect in the characterizations than most romance fare does, and that's what I liked the most about it. Usually we get female depth from the narrator. Her own, that core of identity for herself, that especially. In this one we get a much more intricate insight to the men, IMHO. It's a juxtaposition of most romance fare, even the best, like Heyer. You have MANY men that are suitors. And each and every one of them gets his own stage for acting out his "play", IMHO. We see that ALL men are swayed by our heroine.
We get all the various physical types, but surprisingly, we also get the different personality types clearly cut and defined. Shapes and approaches- varying. But all are gentlemen. Despite different ploys and reactions. Fun and laughter loving buddy who teaches her to fish was the best, IMHO. Draco- far more two dimensional. Sex and money being the two planks in this platform.
For the females of the first three quarters of this book we have nearly no internal point of view, except for our much sought after Kristie Drummond. The red haired beauty who knocks them off their feet with a glance. All the men. And this is something I have NEVER seen in real life, so that is why this genre rarely attracts me. It's fairy tale territory. But some of the most beloved readings seem to be fairy tales?
The other under characters that are female have immense physical description but there is not a window anywhere in the room for anyone to see any but what is on the outside. Angelica, the Dragon, Eugenie, even Georgina. Just smiles or glares or perfect calm repose- but you have NO idea of their individuality. Nor to understand anything about what they themselves ARE or truly want. With one exception for Angelica that is closer to the end of the book than the beginning, you get a mere glimpse. With the men you get not only the core motives, but their entire game plan in detail.
Very strange for a romance to be written "backward" to the internals, IMHO.
But the story goes on and on. Even returning to her grandparents' home at one point. And the adventures of run away continue too. And the last to a just horrendous outpost and denigrating situation that should have been avoided at all costs. If Kristie would have had any true snit and verve, IMHO, or the level of smarts assumed up to this point and stated as "spirit" in 1000 ways during this long tract- she would never have followed that "needed" information to the neighborhood of the bloated faced man.
Which is why, even with some of the originality of the mysterious grandfather and everyone "recognizing" her face- the first star was lost. And that is because of the dialect coupled with the overused word. Icy appears as an eye cast- about 5 times on just one page. And with all the ethnic and iconic tartan color in both the topography of the land, horses, buildings, cofters' peat moss burning spaces- the adjectives become repeated. And repeated.
You will like this entire "feel" far more if you love horses, know how to ride them, was a great fan of Outlander- and also like a touch of that "seer" or "the gift of sight" in your old hags.
December 27, 2016
I read this about a billion years ago, and if you like romances with fiesty, funny heroines then this is a must read. Even of you don't, it's a must read.
Kirstie Drummond has been brought up in her strict grandparents stifling household. She's gorgeous, flighty and willful, and is doomed to marry some grey stuffed shirt with clammy hands if her grandparents have anything to say about it. They are concerned about her impetuous behavior and are afraid it might be indicative of mental illness.
A Countess from her father's or was it her grandfather's past comes along and rescues her from the fate of clammy hands, but her life isn't roses yet. In her new life at Glendraco, she encounters a few people who are either delighted or alarmed at the sight of her face. They recognize her features. She also has to deal with the Countess's grandson who doesn't approve of her AT ALL. He's handsome as sin and a bigger stuffed shirt than the one she left behind in Edinburgh plus he's almost engaged to a paragon of beauty, manners and piety. Kirstie's various encounters with these characters and others run the gamut from hysterical to frightening.
Kirstie Drummond has been brought up in her strict grandparents stifling household. She's gorgeous, flighty and willful, and is doomed to marry some grey stuffed shirt with clammy hands if her grandparents have anything to say about it. They are concerned about her impetuous behavior and are afraid it might be indicative of mental illness.
A Countess from her father's or was it her grandfather's past comes along and rescues her from the fate of clammy hands, but her life isn't roses yet. In her new life at Glendraco, she encounters a few people who are either delighted or alarmed at the sight of her face. They recognize her features. She also has to deal with the Countess's grandson who doesn't approve of her AT ALL. He's handsome as sin and a bigger stuffed shirt than the one she left behind in Edinburgh plus he's almost engaged to a paragon of beauty, manners and piety. Kirstie's various encounters with these characters and others run the gamut from hysterical to frightening.
September 20, 2012
I found this book on my grandmother's bookshelf about 20 years ago, and loved it so much that I read it multiple times and made sure that it found its way into my luggage when I moved out. I still have that old musty book. I don't know if it's nostalgia or the story itself, but it's probably my favorite book that I've ever read.
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August 12, 2024O di come tutti vogliano sposare Cristina.
November 27, 2017
So fun, so preposterous, so enjoyable! An internet search for Rosalind Erskine, author of the hilarious "Passion Flower Hotel," turned up Roger Erskine Longrigg, who wrote under many pseudonyms...including Laura Black. This 1977 novel isn't as hilarious as "PFH," but is a lively and often amusing romance set in 19th century Scotland.
Young Kirstie Drummond lives a sheltered, miserable life with her repressed grandparents, until she flees from a horrible marriage prospect into the country home/castle of an elderly Countess and her handsome son, and into a life of adventure. The heroine is (natch) headstrong, tart-tongued, and brave, and everyone she meets falls for her instantly and like a ton of bricks...except for those who hate her and/or seem to be trying to kill her. Her naivete leads her to misjudge pretty much everyone; and so, either objectively or from her point of view, most of the characters' personalities change dramatically, sometimes more than once. Throughout an astonishing number of twists, turns, bad choices, hair-raising escapades (which start to get a wee bit tiring), and romantic entanglements (so many, so varied), the heroine maintains her sense of humor and her pizzazz. A Kirkus review sums it up nicely as "pell-mell." Good fun!
Young Kirstie Drummond lives a sheltered, miserable life with her repressed grandparents, until she flees from a horrible marriage prospect into the country home/castle of an elderly Countess and her handsome son, and into a life of adventure. The heroine is (natch) headstrong, tart-tongued, and brave, and everyone she meets falls for her instantly and like a ton of bricks...except for those who hate her and/or seem to be trying to kill her. Her naivete leads her to misjudge pretty much everyone; and so, either objectively or from her point of view, most of the characters' personalities change dramatically, sometimes more than once. Throughout an astonishing number of twists, turns, bad choices, hair-raising escapades (which start to get a wee bit tiring), and romantic entanglements (so many, so varied), the heroine maintains her sense of humor and her pizzazz. A Kirkus review sums it up nicely as "pell-mell." Good fun!
July 9, 2019
Written at a high pitch of hysteria, with often disagreeable and creepy assumptions and interests regarding sex and power relations. With some writers - say Lucilla Andrews, or Dean Koontz - I sometimes just wanna go, "Heeeey, gurl… your slip's showing." If by slip, you wanna mean 'rape fantasy' or 'sadistic creepiness'. I mean, write about what you wanna write about, as long as you know what you're writing about. Because readers aren't dumb - not as dumb as writers anyhow - they're gonna spot it plain as day. It's when it's unconscious that it gets really creepy.
You know what, it's a fun historical romance, and ten times better written than half the stuff pitched at that market today. I just wish I didn't like some books, or that you could regulate what you wanna read according to whether you approve of the author.
You know what, it's a fun historical romance, and ten times better written than half the stuff pitched at that market today. I just wish I didn't like some books, or that you could regulate what you wanna read according to whether you approve of the author.
January 28, 2012
I really liked it though the description is a little bit of an exaggeration. Some of the questions raised in the description are in fact very unimportant to the rest of the story.
I think Laura Black is a very good writer. She makes this story of a young girl just coming of age interesting, sad, wonderful and mysterious. It is definitely worth the read. It really reminds me of a Jane Austen story only I was able to get through this book.
I think Laura Black is a very good writer. She makes this story of a young girl just coming of age interesting, sad, wonderful and mysterious. It is definitely worth the read. It really reminds me of a Jane Austen story only I was able to get through this book.
August 6, 2008
I read this and Wild Cat during a camping trip when I was about 12. I still have them and will occasioanlly re-read them. The style is poor, but I love the stories.
September 17, 2023
It's one of my favourite books of all time! Funny, romantic, dramatic, and full of adventure.
January 20, 2026
Abbandonato
June 16, 2012
the story is actually wonderful. the adventures of the girl, the way she run away from getting married. and the men that come and goes to his life.. i remember when i first read it.. my mate made me to read this book as a punishment, and do a book review about it. :) i actually take is a pleasure rather than a punishment.
February 24, 2008
Very Romantic and wonderful. Makes me want to become irish
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July 23, 2024May 26, 1990
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews