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Sir Quixote of the Moors: Being Some Account of an Episode in the Life of the Sieur De Rohaine
In the mid-sixteenth century, Jean de Rohaine, a middle-aged French nobleman, journeys to Scotland in search of adventure and a new beginning. In Scotland he meets up with his old friend, Quentin Kennedy, who informs him of a great battle to be waged. Yet what is the Frenchman's horror when he rides with Kennedy's men in search of honour, but finds instead that the "war" is with unarmed religious dissidents, "Covenanters," whom he watches massacred.
Disgusted, he sets off alone across the barren moors, where he wanders until he comes to a cottage containing a beautiful and unprotected young woman, Anne. Rohaine promises to be her protector, but his ideals of honour and duty will be put to the test when he finds himself gradually falling in love with her....
A powerful examination of religious fanaticism, Sir Quixote of the Moors (1895) was Buchan's first novel, published when he was a twenty year old undergraduate. With its haunting evocation of the bleak, desolate Scottish landscape and intriguing character study of its Quixote, Sir Quixote is a unique novel that differs from, yet anticipates, Buchan's later works, such as The Thirty-Nine Steps (1915).
Disgusted, he sets off alone across the barren moors, where he wanders until he comes to a cottage containing a beautiful and unprotected young woman, Anne. Rohaine promises to be her protector, but his ideals of honour and duty will be put to the test when he finds himself gradually falling in love with her....
A powerful examination of religious fanaticism, Sir Quixote of the Moors (1895) was Buchan's first novel, published when he was a twenty year old undergraduate. With its haunting evocation of the bleak, desolate Scottish landscape and intriguing character study of its Quixote, Sir Quixote is a unique novel that differs from, yet anticipates, Buchan's later works, such as The Thirty-Nine Steps (1915).
108 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1894
About the author
John Buchan
1,742 books476 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 30, 2020
Buchan’s first published novel, Sir Quixote of the Moors is described in one edition as ‘A Charming Narrative of the Scottish Moors depicting the Tragic Love Story of a Gallant Gentleman’. In the book’s prologue, Buchan presents what follows as an account written by a French knight, Jean de Rohaine, even going so far as to invent an explanation for why it is in English and pointing out changes he has made in an editorial capacity. The structural device of discovered papers would recur in later Buchan novels.
The book’s title clearly references Cervantes’ Don Quixote and both heroes share an aspiration to embody in their actions the highest levels of chivalry. The majority of Buchan’s novel is taken up with de Rohaine’s moral dilemma about his growing attraction to Anne, the young woman he pledges to protect when her father and her betrothed are forced into hiding because of their religious views. The fact he arrived at their door lost and near to exhaustion and was shown great hospitality weighs on his conscience.
Buchan’s first biographer Janet Adam Smith reports he was annoyed his US publisher changed the ending. Having now read the book and compared the two endings, I can see why he was upset. Without giving anything away, the alternative endings to Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations spring to mind.
Although rather a slight story and probably largely of interest due to being his first novel, Sir Quixote of the Moors shows early signs of the literary craftsmanship for which Buchan would become known. In particular, the Scottish landscape is vividly described even if poor Jean experiences it predominantly in the cold, the wind and the rain.
#ReadJB2020
The book’s title clearly references Cervantes’ Don Quixote and both heroes share an aspiration to embody in their actions the highest levels of chivalry. The majority of Buchan’s novel is taken up with de Rohaine’s moral dilemma about his growing attraction to Anne, the young woman he pledges to protect when her father and her betrothed are forced into hiding because of their religious views. The fact he arrived at their door lost and near to exhaustion and was shown great hospitality weighs on his conscience.
Buchan’s first biographer Janet Adam Smith reports he was annoyed his US publisher changed the ending. Having now read the book and compared the two endings, I can see why he was upset. Without giving anything away, the alternative endings to Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations spring to mind.
Although rather a slight story and probably largely of interest due to being his first novel, Sir Quixote of the Moors shows early signs of the literary craftsmanship for which Buchan would become known. In particular, the Scottish landscape is vividly described even if poor Jean experiences it predominantly in the cold, the wind and the rain.
#ReadJB2020
January 7, 2026
John Buchan ist so etwas wie das nächste oder auch letzte Glied in der Traditionslinie Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson. Sir Quixote of the Moors ist der erste Roman aus der Feder des Multitalents, das ebenso Preise für historische Fachbücher (Montrose) abräumte wie Bestsellerlisten anführte (The 39 Steps). Die Religionskriege des 17. Jahrhunderts sind in beiden Genres eine bevorzugte Weide, so auch beim Erstling, dessen erstes Drittel schon Ahnungen vom späteren Welterfolg ahnen lässt.
Jean De Rohaine, verarmter Edelmann und erfahrener Kämpfer folgt der Einladung eines früheren Kriegskameraden ins schottische Hochland.
Dort erlebt der edle Ritter vom alten Schlag einen Kulturschock, in der Burg seines alten Kameraden wird zu viel gesoffen, man reizt sich bis aufs Blut, ohne Konsequenzen und duelliert sich wegen Kleinigkeiten. Zur Abwechslung macht man, im Auftrag des Königs, Jagd auf Frauen und Kinder von religiösen Abweichlern, da die Familienoberhäupter sich in Wald und Höhlen geflüchtet haben.
Als Reaktion auf diese unritterlichen Massaker verlässt Rohaine die Schlächtertruppe, scheitert aber kläglich an seiner mangelhaften Kenntnis der örtlichen Verhältnisse. So übersteht er den Sumpftod nur, um in einer Räuberhöhle Zuflucht zu finden. Wie später Richard Hannay entkommt er zwar der Übermacht, doch das unwirtliche Land erweist sich als genauso tödlich, wie es scheint.
Mit seinem Zusammenbruch an einem Tor endet seine Flucht und die erste Ahnung auf den Welterfolg.
Statt dessen wird ein anderes Element der Hannay-Pentalogie eingeführt: das Pflichtethos.
Rohaines Zusammenbruch ereignete sich vor der Pforte von jener Art von Sektierern, an deren Verfolgung er sich nicht länger beteiligen wollte. Die Leute retten ihn aus Christenpflicht und nehmen ihn bei sich auf. Als der Prediger und der Verlobte von dessen Tochter vor der religiösen Verfolgung ebenfalls in die Wälder fliehen müssen, bleibt Rohaine als Schutz für das Mädchen zurück und kann mit seiner Kampferfahrung Übergriffe durch die Schergen des Königs verhindern. Die Weltläufigkeit und Lebenserfahrung des ehemaligen Höflings eröffnen neue Horizonte und das wahre Wesen der vom religiösen Terror niedergedrückten Natur des Mädchens, das sich zur leidenschaftlichen Tänzerin entwickelt und gar kein Interesse mehr an ihrem Vater und Verlobten zu haben scheint. Letztere taucht noch einmal als Halbirrer auf, der sich nicht sicher ist, oder der Prediger bei seiner Rückkehr in die Wildnis noch am Leben sein wird.
Rohaine steht am Scheideweg zwischen seinem praktisch gegenstandslosen Ehrenwort und den Verpflichtungen gegenüber dem jungen Herz. Der Titel verrät schon, welchen Weg der Verfasser seinen Helden gehen ließ. Der Redakteur der amerikanischen Version konnte so viel fruchtlose Pflichtethik nicht stehen lassen. Meine Ausgabe enthält den von Buchan verachteten zusätzlichen Absatz mit der inneren Stimme, die zur Umkehr mahnt. Gut so, Intentionen des Autors, der diesen Entsagungs-Edelmut im weiteren Werk noch gründlichst ausleben wird, sind einfach unmenschlich.
Jean De Rohaine, verarmter Edelmann und erfahrener Kämpfer folgt der Einladung eines früheren Kriegskameraden ins schottische Hochland.
Dort erlebt der edle Ritter vom alten Schlag einen Kulturschock, in der Burg seines alten Kameraden wird zu viel gesoffen, man reizt sich bis aufs Blut, ohne Konsequenzen und duelliert sich wegen Kleinigkeiten. Zur Abwechslung macht man, im Auftrag des Königs, Jagd auf Frauen und Kinder von religiösen Abweichlern, da die Familienoberhäupter sich in Wald und Höhlen geflüchtet haben.
Als Reaktion auf diese unritterlichen Massaker verlässt Rohaine die Schlächtertruppe, scheitert aber kläglich an seiner mangelhaften Kenntnis der örtlichen Verhältnisse. So übersteht er den Sumpftod nur, um in einer Räuberhöhle Zuflucht zu finden. Wie später Richard Hannay entkommt er zwar der Übermacht, doch das unwirtliche Land erweist sich als genauso tödlich, wie es scheint.
Mit seinem Zusammenbruch an einem Tor endet seine Flucht und die erste Ahnung auf den Welterfolg.
Statt dessen wird ein anderes Element der Hannay-Pentalogie eingeführt: das Pflichtethos.
Rohaines Zusammenbruch ereignete sich vor der Pforte von jener Art von Sektierern, an deren Verfolgung er sich nicht länger beteiligen wollte. Die Leute retten ihn aus Christenpflicht und nehmen ihn bei sich auf. Als der Prediger und der Verlobte von dessen Tochter vor der religiösen Verfolgung ebenfalls in die Wälder fliehen müssen, bleibt Rohaine als Schutz für das Mädchen zurück und kann mit seiner Kampferfahrung Übergriffe durch die Schergen des Königs verhindern. Die Weltläufigkeit und Lebenserfahrung des ehemaligen Höflings eröffnen neue Horizonte und das wahre Wesen der vom religiösen Terror niedergedrückten Natur des Mädchens, das sich zur leidenschaftlichen Tänzerin entwickelt und gar kein Interesse mehr an ihrem Vater und Verlobten zu haben scheint. Letztere taucht noch einmal als Halbirrer auf, der sich nicht sicher ist, oder der Prediger bei seiner Rückkehr in die Wildnis noch am Leben sein wird.
Rohaine steht am Scheideweg zwischen seinem praktisch gegenstandslosen Ehrenwort und den Verpflichtungen gegenüber dem jungen Herz. Der Titel verrät schon, welchen Weg der Verfasser seinen Helden gehen ließ. Der Redakteur der amerikanischen Version konnte so viel fruchtlose Pflichtethik nicht stehen lassen. Meine Ausgabe enthält den von Buchan verachteten zusätzlichen Absatz mit der inneren Stimme, die zur Umkehr mahnt. Gut so, Intentionen des Autors, der diesen Entsagungs-Edelmut im weiteren Werk noch gründlichst ausleben wird, sind einfach unmenschlich.
April 22, 2018
Odd but interesting. Adventure man John Buchan's first novelette, published when he was nineteen. Set on the Scottish moors in the time of the troubles, although I'm not sure exactly which troubles they were. Follows the adventures of a French nobleman dropped down into a world 180 degrees away from everything he knows. Writing style amazingly good (for a young guy) and imagination on target. Gets a bit stereotyped when the innocent blonde is introduced and Sieur de Something must between his love and his honor. I'll bet you already know which he chooses. It's short anyway and I'm not complaining.
August 21, 2019
This short novel is the essence of good clean fun instilled with Scottish atmosphere and Presbyterian piety. I was going to just give it three stars, but the ending I think warrants a fourth
March 27, 2018
A very interesting first attempt by JB. You can see the future JB historicals within sections of this short novel. A lovely wee story, well worth a read, but rest assured it is not typical JB. Well it is and it isn't, read and see if you agree.
And like all of JBs historical adventures made me annoyed at my lack of knowledge with regard to certain aspects of Scottish history. This and Witch Wood had me reaching for my history books to read up on the covenanters and Montrose.
And like all of JBs historical adventures made me annoyed at my lack of knowledge with regard to certain aspects of Scottish history. This and Witch Wood had me reaching for my history books to read up on the covenanters and Montrose.
August 19, 2014
This is not nearly as exciting as Buchan's later work, but there is a lot of interesting material here nonetheless. Those fascinated with the spy novels will probably note similarities between Richard Hannay's perilous wanderings in Scotland and those of the lonely Frenchman, Jean de Rohaine, in _Sir Quixote_. The love story here is also central in a way that it is not to later works by Buchan, so that aspect of the narrative will prove interesting to readers who might be curious about how Buchan examines gender and sexuality in his fiction. Front and center, however, is Rohaine's consciousness, which, driven by the bleak landscape he inhabits and the unstable political environment of sixteenth-century Scotland, descends into a kind of gloom that pervades the entire book. His dream towards the end of the narrative (which informs his subsequent actions) as well as his thoughts on some of Francois Villon's poetry earlier on are well-crafted renderings of despair that reminded me of Stevenson. Readers with an interest in Buchan could skip this novella if they prefer, but an examination of _Sir Quixote_ will deepen readers' understanding of and interest in the subsequent novels.
November 28, 2017
Very good book. Main character is an outcast and the whole story is bittersweet. Loved how the scenarios he was in. From being trapped in an inn and right up to his last moments to the conclusion. I think we can all learn something from sir Quixote.
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July 23, 2014Free download available at Project Gutenberg.
BEING SOME ACCOUNT OF AN EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF THE SIEUR DE ROHAINE
BEING SOME ACCOUNT OF AN EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF THE SIEUR DE ROHAINE
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews