The Master of Ballantrae and Weir of Hermiston

by Robert Louis Stevenson

(Book Jacket Status: Not Jacketed)

In these two historical tales of the Scottish lowlands in the eighteenth century, Robert Louis Stevenson brought to the novel of adventure a psychological sophistication it had never before possessed - a subtlety that, far from impeding the action, everywhere intensifies its speed and credibility. A double demonstration of Stevenson's ability to satisfy the highest critical standards and at the same time remain compulsively entertaining.

With an Introduction by John Sutherland

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Scotland, Literature

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1925

About the author

Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer, and a leading representative of English literature. He was greatly admired by many authors, including Jorge Luis Borges, Ernest Hemingway, Rudyard Kipling and Vladimir Nabokov.

Most modernist writers dismissed him, however, because he was popular and did not write within their narrow definition of literature. It is only recently that critics have begun to look beyond Stevenson's popularity and allow him a place in the Western canon.

Reviews

[Carol Storm]

I first became aware of MASTER OF BALLANTRAE as a lonely teenager who didn't date and spent far too much time eating chocolates and watching Errol Flynn movies on TV. But the Flynn movie (made after Errol had already begun to sag and droop and resemble a melting wax effigy of himself) did not capture the real power of Stevenson's novel.

MASTER OF BALLANTRAE is less in the tradition of OLD MORTALITY or ROB ROY, and more in the tradition of DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE. The real theme of the novel is not the gallantry of the Highland warriors and Bonnie Prince Charlie, but the fratricidal hatred of Jamie and Henry Durie. The two brothers choose opposite sides in the '45 Rebellion and Jamie is reported dead. Years later he returns, scarred, psychopathic, and determined to torture his younger brother to suicide.

From there things go down hill, as both brothers progressively become more twisted and insane. If Jim Morrison of the Doors had written a novel of historical adventure, he would have written this.

Weir of Hermiston is the legendary "unfinished" novel that Stevenson was working on when he died. I never finished it, but the opening chapters looked really good!

[Jeanette]

Just read Robert Louis Stevenson's The Master of Ballantrae. Once you get used to the style of writing, RLS draws you into his exploration of the good and bad in an individual. The master is a captivating individual but without any morality in the sense that we are used to. Loved the real adventure in this book and encouraged me to re-read all my beloved RLS poetry.
Very worth while reading.

[Tim]

Pretty great, overall. Guess I'd call it an early psychological thriller.

[Gary Howes]

A good read very interesting

[Readosaurus]

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