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Tales of My Landlord #3 part 2
Waverley Novels: ¬A Legend of Montrose
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400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1819
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About the author
Walter Scott
8,390 books2,076 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Sir Walter Scott was a Scottish novelist, poet, historian, and biographer, widely recognized as the founder and master of the historical novel. His most celebrated works, including Waverley, Rob Roy, and Ivanhoe, helped shape not only the genre of historical fiction but also modern perceptions of Scottish culture and identity.
Born in Edinburgh in 1771, Scott was the son of a solicitor and a mother with a strong interest in literature and history. At the age of two, he contracted polio, which left him with a permanent limp. He spent much of his childhood in the Scottish Borders, where he developed a deep fascination with the region's folklore, ballads, and history. He studied at Edinburgh High School and later at the University of Edinburgh, qualifying as a lawyer in 1792. Though he worked in law for some time, his literary ambitions soon took precedence.
Scott began his literary career with translations and collections of traditional ballads, notably in his Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. He gained early fame with narrative poems such as The Lay of the Last Minstrel and The Lady of the Lake. As the popularity of poetic storytelling declined, especially with the rise of Lord Byron, Scott turned to prose. His first novel, Waverley, published anonymously in 1814, was set during the Jacobite rising of 1745 and is considered the first true historical novel. The success of Waverley led to a long series of novels, known collectively as the Waverley Novels, which blended historical events with compelling fictional narratives.
Over the following years, Scott produced a remarkable number of novels, including Old Mortality, The Heart of Midlothian, and The Bride of Lammermoor, each contributing to the romantic image of Scotland that became popular throughout Europe. With Ivanhoe, published in 1819, he turned his attention to medieval England, broadening his appeal and confirming his status as a major literary figure. His works were not only popular in his own time but also laid the groundwork for historical fiction as a respected literary form.
Scott married Charlotte Genevieve Charpentier in 1797, and they had five children. In 1820, he was granted a baronetcy and became Sir Walter Scott. He built a grand home, Abbotsford House, near Melrose, which reflected his passion for history and the Scottish past. However, in 1825, financial disaster struck when his publishers went bankrupt. Rather than declare bankruptcy himself, Scott chose to work tirelessly to pay off the debts through his writing. He continued to produce novels and non-fiction works at a staggering pace despite declining health.
Walter Scott died in 1832, leaving behind a literary legacy that influenced generations of writers and readers. His works remain widely read and studied, and he is credited with helping to revive interest in Scottish history and culture. Abbotsford House, now a museum, stands as a monument to his life and achievements.
Sir Walter Scott was a Scottish novelist, poet, historian, and biographer, widely recognized as the founder and master of the historical novel. His most celebrated works, including Waverley, Rob Roy, and Ivanhoe, helped shape not only the genre of historical fiction but also modern perceptions of Scottish culture and identity.
Born in Edinburgh in 1771, Scott was the son of a solicitor and a mother with a strong interest in literature and history. At the age of two, he contracted polio, which left him with a permanent limp. He spent much of his childhood in the Scottish Borders, where he developed a deep fascination with the region's folklore, ballads, and history. He studied at Edinburgh High School and later at the University of Edinburgh, qualifying as a lawyer in 1792. Though he worked in law for some time, his literary ambitions soon took precedence.
Scott began his literary career with translations and collections of traditional ballads, notably in his Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. He gained early fame with narrative poems such as The Lay of the Last Minstrel and The Lady of the Lake. As the popularity of poetic storytelling declined, especially with the rise of Lord Byron, Scott turned to prose. His first novel, Waverley, published anonymously in 1814, was set during the Jacobite rising of 1745 and is considered the first true historical novel. The success of Waverley led to a long series of novels, known collectively as the Waverley Novels, which blended historical events with compelling fictional narratives.
Over the following years, Scott produced a remarkable number of novels, including Old Mortality, The Heart of Midlothian, and The Bride of Lammermoor, each contributing to the romantic image of Scotland that became popular throughout Europe. With Ivanhoe, published in 1819, he turned his attention to medieval England, broadening his appeal and confirming his status as a major literary figure. His works were not only popular in his own time but also laid the groundwork for historical fiction as a respected literary form.
Scott married Charlotte Genevieve Charpentier in 1797, and they had five children. In 1820, he was granted a baronetcy and became Sir Walter Scott. He built a grand home, Abbotsford House, near Melrose, which reflected his passion for history and the Scottish past. However, in 1825, financial disaster struck when his publishers went bankrupt. Rather than declare bankruptcy himself, Scott chose to work tirelessly to pay off the debts through his writing. He continued to produce novels and non-fiction works at a staggering pace despite declining health.
Walter Scott died in 1832, leaving behind a literary legacy that influenced generations of writers and readers. His works remain widely read and studied, and he is credited with helping to revive interest in Scottish history and culture. Abbotsford House, now a museum, stands as a monument to his life and achievements.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 3, 2020
The novel is more successful in its portrait of history, particularly the opposing characters of Montrose, the Royalist, and Argyle, than its account of the lovers' problems.
June 9, 2018
Um dos meus escritores da minha adolescência. Cresci sonhando que aparecia um "Ivanhoe" me resgatar dos meus momentos difíceis.
Sempre gostei de romances de cavaleria. E este é especial pois me lembra a saga Outlander.Talvez a escritora tenha buscado inspiração nestes romances. Tem lugares e nomes que possui na saga.
Foi interessante conhecer mais sobre as clãs escosesas e as suas guerrras. O verdadeiro herói não é Montrose mas sim é o povo. O povo que nunca desiste. E que talvez consiga a sua almejada independência
Sempre gostei de romances de cavaleria. E este é especial pois me lembra a saga Outlander.Talvez a escritora tenha buscado inspiração nestes romances. Tem lugares e nomes que possui na saga.
Foi interessante conhecer mais sobre as clãs escosesas e as suas guerrras. O verdadeiro herói não é Montrose mas sim é o povo. O povo que nunca desiste. E que talvez consiga a sua almejada independência
June 1, 2020
Part of Scott’s Landlord tales. The story is set in the 1640s during the English Civil War. The location for the action is in Perthshire and Argyll. Once again the story is loosely based on true events. This story is based around the murder of Lord Kilmont by James Stewart of Ardvoirlich after the battle of Tippermuir. In the story Scott has one of his great comic characters with the Scottish mercenary, Captain Dalgetty, a soldier of fortune.
We are introduced to Captain Dalgetty when he meets the Lord Menteith a kinsman of the Royalist Earl of Montrose's. Agreement is reached that Dalgetty will fight for Montrose in the Highland campaign against the Covenanters in 1644.
Allan M'Aulay, par of Montrose's army, is slightly mad and has been in a feud Ranald MacEagh clan known as the Children of the Mist. They murdered Allans uncle and mistreated his mother. He is also in love with Annot Lyle whom he rescued during a foray against the clan MacEagh. Annot, however, prefers Allan's friend, the Earl of Menteith.
There is a mystery about Annot's birth which is later revealed by Ranald. This is linked with Sir Duncan Campbell, the Knight of Ardenvohr, who is on the opposing side.
The story includes an escape by Dalgetty, a battle and the intrigues of Montrose against his enemy the Earl of Argyll. Dalgetty and his horse Gustavus were fun characters based on Scott’s meeting and reading of such characters.
Overall an enjoyable read based on historical facts.
We are introduced to Captain Dalgetty when he meets the Lord Menteith a kinsman of the Royalist Earl of Montrose's. Agreement is reached that Dalgetty will fight for Montrose in the Highland campaign against the Covenanters in 1644.
Allan M'Aulay, par of Montrose's army, is slightly mad and has been in a feud Ranald MacEagh clan known as the Children of the Mist. They murdered Allans uncle and mistreated his mother. He is also in love with Annot Lyle whom he rescued during a foray against the clan MacEagh. Annot, however, prefers Allan's friend, the Earl of Menteith.
There is a mystery about Annot's birth which is later revealed by Ranald. This is linked with Sir Duncan Campbell, the Knight of Ardenvohr, who is on the opposing side.
The story includes an escape by Dalgetty, a battle and the intrigues of Montrose against his enemy the Earl of Argyll. Dalgetty and his horse Gustavus were fun characters based on Scott’s meeting and reading of such characters.
Overall an enjoyable read based on historical facts.
January 15, 2015
Sir Walter is growing on me as I read chronologically through his work. There's not really much of a story to this one, and I can't say I'm very interested in this period of Scottish history, but for the first time I found one of this author's 'characters', Sir Dugald Dalgetty, quite entertaining. Sad about his horse, though.
July 24, 2018
Another of the Waverley novels, somewhat shorter in length than some, set in Scotland during the times of the English civil war. The background for the tale is of Scottish conflict - of those sympathetic to the Crown versus those supportive of Parliament, of those supportive of the traditional Scottish Kirk versus the new Covenanters and of Highlanders versus Lowlanders. The main characters are of the former persuasions and for most of the story are in the ascendancy defeating their enemies under the leadership of the Earl of Montrose.
There are two significant subplots. For those familiar with Scott's novels the first, a romance, will come as no surprise. To be precise a love triangle where unknown genealogy plays a role in the final outcome. The second is an account of the "adventures" of a professional soldier, Major Dalgetty, who is persuaded to join the army of Montrose.
An entertaining read. My only criticism is that, like others of Scott's novels, the conclusion of the various subplots seem to happen altogether very quickly during the final pages of the novel. It seems, having taken a leisurely pace through the build-up, that the author got bored and decided to finish the book as soon as possible.
There are two significant subplots. For those familiar with Scott's novels the first, a romance, will come as no surprise. To be precise a love triangle where unknown genealogy plays a role in the final outcome. The second is an account of the "adventures" of a professional soldier, Major Dalgetty, who is persuaded to join the army of Montrose.
An entertaining read. My only criticism is that, like others of Scott's novels, the conclusion of the various subplots seem to happen altogether very quickly during the final pages of the novel. It seems, having taken a leisurely pace through the build-up, that the author got bored and decided to finish the book as soon as possible.
February 21, 2024
5+ stars (7/10 hearts). I always forget how short this book is, compared to Scott’s other works! I really love this story. It doesn’t have all the breathless excitement and extremely high stakes as his other books, but it’s extremely humorous—the humour in proportion to the rest of the book is quite high. Dalgetty is Scott’s most hilarious character, I am convinced!! I especially love his interactions with Ranald; the contrast is particularly ludicrous! Monteith is a wonderful hero, & I do love Allan too—and Montrose. Annot is a lovely heroine, too. I don’t agree with everything; but I love seeing my hardy, brave Highlanders again <33 and there are so many wonderful characters and speeches.
Content: There is only one instance of language (blanked out) and while this book deals with second sight, and many characters believe in it, it is overall portrayed as a hoax. There is some violence, of course. Recommended ages: 16+.
A Favourite Quote: “There goes a true-bred Campbell,” said Montrose, as the envoy departed, “for they are ever fair and false.”
“Pardon me, my lord,” said Evan Dhu; “hereditary enemy as I am to their name, I have ever found the Knight of Ardenvohr brave in war, honest in peace, and true in council.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: She touched her clairshach [Harp] to a song of the Children of the Mist, which she had learned when her dwelling was amongst us. The woods in which we had dwelt pleasantly, rustled their green leaves in the song, and our streams were there with the sound of all their waters.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “By the honour of a cavalier,” said Captain Dalgetty, finding at length an opportunity to thrust in his word, “I am proud and happy in having an opportunity of drawing a sword under your lordship’s command; and I do forgive all grudge, malecontent, and malice of my heart, to Mr. Allan M’Aulay, for having thrust me down to the lowest seat of the board yestreen.... I do, before you all, recognise the justice of the preference, and heartily salute Allan as one who is to be his BON-CAMARADO.”
Having made this speech, which was little understood or attended to, without putting off his military glove, he seized on Allan’s hand, and began to shake it with violence, which Allan, with a gripe like a smith’s vice, returned with such force, as to drive the iron splents of the gauntlet into the hand of the wearer. Captain Dalgetty might have construed this into a new affront, had not his attention, as he stood blowing and shaking the injured member, been suddenly called by Montrose himself.
Content: There is only one instance of language (blanked out) and while this book deals with second sight, and many characters believe in it, it is overall portrayed as a hoax. There is some violence, of course. Recommended ages: 16+.
A Favourite Quote: “There goes a true-bred Campbell,” said Montrose, as the envoy departed, “for they are ever fair and false.”
“Pardon me, my lord,” said Evan Dhu; “hereditary enemy as I am to their name, I have ever found the Knight of Ardenvohr brave in war, honest in peace, and true in council.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: She touched her clairshach [Harp] to a song of the Children of the Mist, which she had learned when her dwelling was amongst us. The woods in which we had dwelt pleasantly, rustled their green leaves in the song, and our streams were there with the sound of all their waters.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “By the honour of a cavalier,” said Captain Dalgetty, finding at length an opportunity to thrust in his word, “I am proud and happy in having an opportunity of drawing a sword under your lordship’s command; and I do forgive all grudge, malecontent, and malice of my heart, to Mr. Allan M’Aulay, for having thrust me down to the lowest seat of the board yestreen.... I do, before you all, recognise the justice of the preference, and heartily salute Allan as one who is to be his BON-CAMARADO.”
Having made this speech, which was little understood or attended to, without putting off his military glove, he seized on Allan’s hand, and began to shake it with violence, which Allan, with a gripe like a smith’s vice, returned with such force, as to drive the iron splents of the gauntlet into the hand of the wearer. Captain Dalgetty might have construed this into a new affront, had not his attention, as he stood blowing and shaking the injured member, been suddenly called by Montrose himself.
October 3, 2021
This novel came out shortly after “The Bride of Lammermoor” and was somewhat in the shadow of that more famous work. However, although I do think Lammermoor is a more impressive achievement, in some ways this is a more enjoyable experience. It isn’t quite so dark – it has a happy ending – and the character of Dugald Dalgetty is a brilliant creation and genuinely funny. He reminded me in some ways of the Knight of La Mancha, and although Dalgetty lacks the Spaniard’s moral earnestness, they both share some enjoyably absurd characteristics.
There are some great elements in here: the sinister Highland clan known as the Children of the Mist, the splendid but flawed Royalist leader Montrose and the far less splendid and even more flawed Covenanting leader Argyle, and some great battle scenes and plenty of exciting action. The book is a bit shorter than the usual Scott, which also helps. When it was first published some didn’t like it because of the supernatural elements – I don’t care for too much of that either, but here it isn’t overdone. Others thought Scott showed too much partiality for the royalists by whitewashing Montrose, trashing Argyle, and going in for too much irreverent mockery of the hypocrisy of the bible-bashing Covenanters. I don’t think Scott is too unfair, but it is easy enough to see where his sympathies lay. As I share those same sympathies, I don’t mind at all. (Re read recently many years after the first reading, and upped from 3 stars to 4).
There are some great elements in here: the sinister Highland clan known as the Children of the Mist, the splendid but flawed Royalist leader Montrose and the far less splendid and even more flawed Covenanting leader Argyle, and some great battle scenes and plenty of exciting action. The book is a bit shorter than the usual Scott, which also helps. When it was first published some didn’t like it because of the supernatural elements – I don’t care for too much of that either, but here it isn’t overdone. Others thought Scott showed too much partiality for the royalists by whitewashing Montrose, trashing Argyle, and going in for too much irreverent mockery of the hypocrisy of the bible-bashing Covenanters. I don’t think Scott is too unfair, but it is easy enough to see where his sympathies lay. As I share those same sympathies, I don’t mind at all. (Re read recently many years after the first reading, and upped from 3 stars to 4).
October 18, 2018
The best kind of historical fiction is when it motivates you to learn more about its subject matter. In that, this book succeeds. The story recalls a brief episode in British history, during the time that Parliament had deposed Charles I, in which Montrose raised up royalist Highland clans to oppose the Lowland Covaenanters (led by Argyle) who supported English Parliament. Most popular historical accounts of this time period focus on Charles I and Parliament, and they sometimes mention royalist Scottish forces that attempted to come to the aid of Charles, as a footnote in the margins. In this novel, Scott puts the focus on Montrose and Argyle, with a romantic story woven in the background. Scott makes the interesting choice to put a Falstaff character in the foreground of much of the novel, rather than relegate him to interludes of comic relief. This character, Dugald Dalgetty, underscores how Scottish mercenaries were widely utilized in the continental 30 Years War, and were then employed in the English Civil War with good effect, on both sides. Don't be surprised if reading this book results in a deep dive into Wikipedia. This may not be one of Scott's greatest novels, but it's great fun for Scottish history buffs, of which Scott was surely one.
October 13, 2015
Scott's first novel written almost exclusively in English with English dialog. It is yet another novel touching on an aspect of the Jacobite Rebellion. This one features the battles led and won by the Earl of Montrose while touching on the Campbell clan, the MacAulays and the ostracized Children of the Mist. But mainly it tells of the adventures of a Scottish soldier of fortune, Captain Dugald Dalgetty of Drumthwacket who had lately served in King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden's army. The novel is fairly well paced, has its share of romance, but really does little to develop any of the characters who are rather pieces on a story board.
February 3, 2016
Short novel by Sir Walter Scott centring on the civil war between Scottish supporters of King Charles with the Marquis of Montrose as his champion and the Duke of Argyll (Argyle in Scott's spelling) as the leader of the Covenanter rebels. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. It has romance in the love triangle surrounding the fair damsel Annot Lyle, comedy in the Quixotic character of Sir Dugald Dalgetty and excitement especially in Dalgetty's escape from Inveraray Castle. I also enjoyed Scott's description of the final battle between the rival armies.
I'm a fan of Scott's writing and this didn't disappoint.
I'm a fan of Scott's writing and this didn't disappoint.
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January 28, 2016Set in the 1640s in Scotland, while England was divided in a Civil War that would eventually cost the King his head, thisshort novel (only about 300+ pp.) deals with the struggle between the Dukes of Argyle (pro-Roundhead) and Montrose (pro-Charles I). There are also the 'Children of the Mist' - a ragtag band of outlaws who, to right a wrong done them for poaching, beheadthe man they blame for it. Then, they go to have a meal at his very house and while the sister isaway on an errand to serve them, they put the head on the table and stuff it with food. The sister goes mad, and runs to the woods, giving birth to Allan M'Aulay, who later is allied with Montrose. He is also a fierce rival of Monteith - another Montrose adherent - for the affections of Annot Lyle, a foundling, who is at theend revealed to be the only remainning offspring after the Children massacred all the children ofa lord allied with Argyle. When her noble birthis revealed, Monteith seeks and wins her hand, only to be severely wounded by Allan, who himself escapes never to be heard from again. The marriage takes place despite the couple being from opposite sides of thedispute. The real star of the novel is Dugald Dalgetty, a professionalsoldier whose main interests are a) getting paid for his services and b) getting enough to eat and drink. He had fought all over Europe formanydifferentsides, but best admired King Gustavus of Sweden and his Protestant campaigns, He named his horse Gustavus and treats him as his best friendf. Notsince the title chacter in the Antiquary has Scott put so much homor into one of his novel's main characters. His advice on defending a castle and ability to toast a whole group of people who really want to see the last of him asre classic pieces of comedic writing. All-in-all, a fairly spirited and fun novel.
March 21, 2020
One of Scott's more well-drawn characters is Dugald Dalgetty, a character reminiscent of the periphrastic type often employed by James Fenimore-Cooper, a contemporary of Scott's. A story with a happy ending, this novel is set in the time of the Covenanters. Montrose was a royalist, and the story is told from his point of view, but the Covenanters are not reviled. The battle in the novel is based more on his feud with the Campbells than with a religious group. A fun read.
January 17, 2026
4.5 Stars Before I started this, I had no idea 'what' Montrose was. If I had thought about it, maybe I would have guessed it was a Lord and a man; but I did not think about it.
Thus, this story was rather a surprise to me. I loved it, of course; as I have said many a time, I love Scott (and Scottish history). This was such a unique story, though, and I am rather baffled that this history and the true story of the Great Marquis was not at all on my radar. I found it utterly stirring - as in, why don't we all know this story like we know William Wallace and Braveheart, because it is a grand story? The fascinating part of Scott's storytelling is that he only gives us a brief view of the Great Marquis, during the winter of 1645-6, mainly at the Battle of Inverlochy - did I mention it was a scene that was stirring and utterly captivating? I think part of the greatness is that most of Scott's readers would know Montrose's sad end (I saw a spoiler accidentally when I was looking at the timeline for this but did not pursue any details - I am going to read all about Montrose from a better source than the Internet) and have that in mind as they read this chapter of his life; but certainly as I read it I knew the end for the Royalist cause and King Charles. Scott does not deal with that or waste time with foreshadowing, and somehow it makes the story greater, even for this ignorant reader.
Aside from that, we have gorgeous Scottish landscapes, romantic filler, and an unforgettable Scott character - one Captain Dalgetty, whom the Edinburgh Review likened to Shakespeare's Falstaff - high praise indeed, and it was warranted. He is singular, an ass (Monteith says so), and hilarious. We do not have any Scots dialect, which I missed, but the lack made sense as all the Highlanders only spoke Gaelic at this time, not English.
There was the love story and superstitions of the time, but as I said, that was rather just filler - the point was the man Montrose, and for me it was a point brilliantly received. I highly, highly recommend.
Thus, this story was rather a surprise to me. I loved it, of course; as I have said many a time, I love Scott (and Scottish history). This was such a unique story, though, and I am rather baffled that this history and the true story of the Great Marquis was not at all on my radar. I found it utterly stirring - as in, why don't we all know this story like we know William Wallace and Braveheart, because it is a grand story? The fascinating part of Scott's storytelling is that he only gives us a brief view of the Great Marquis, during the winter of 1645-6, mainly at the Battle of Inverlochy - did I mention it was a scene that was stirring and utterly captivating? I think part of the greatness is that most of Scott's readers would know Montrose's sad end (I saw a spoiler accidentally when I was looking at the timeline for this but did not pursue any details - I am going to read all about Montrose from a better source than the Internet) and have that in mind as they read this chapter of his life; but certainly as I read it I knew the end for the Royalist cause and King Charles. Scott does not deal with that or waste time with foreshadowing, and somehow it makes the story greater, even for this ignorant reader.
Aside from that, we have gorgeous Scottish landscapes, romantic filler, and an unforgettable Scott character - one Captain Dalgetty, whom the Edinburgh Review likened to Shakespeare's Falstaff - high praise indeed, and it was warranted. He is singular, an ass (Monteith says so), and hilarious. We do not have any Scots dialect, which I missed, but the lack made sense as all the Highlanders only spoke Gaelic at this time, not English.
There was the love story and superstitions of the time, but as I said, that was rather just filler - the point was the man Montrose, and for me it was a point brilliantly received. I highly, highly recommend.
May 12, 2023
Other than Ivanhoe, I had never read any of Walter Scott's "Waverly Novels." Since I have an interest in Scottish history and most of his novels are set in Scotland as historical fiction, I decided to see if they were worth a read. For various reasons, I selected A Legend of Montrose, which is one of the "Tales of My Landlord" sub-series, and is roughly in the middle of the Waverly set both in order of publication and chronologically by setting.
It was okay, but just okay - certainly not on the scale of Ivanhoe. It was a fairly quick read (roughly 220 pages in the edition I read) and the language and structure - though dated of course - was manageable and clear. Usefully, my edition had a glossary. Some rudimentary knowledge on Scotland's geography is useful. Overall, the writing itself was solid, and at times dryly humorous.
The plot, though, was frankly pretty boring, and the pacing odd. I won't go into detail (are spoilers possible on a novel published 200+ years ago? I think so!), but in my view there was simply not much there, there. The characters were boring to mildly interesting at best, and the climax was sub-climactic at best.
Overall, it was not really worth the time spent. I don't think I'll be investing any more time in the other books of the series. Sorry, Sir Walter!
It was okay, but just okay - certainly not on the scale of Ivanhoe. It was a fairly quick read (roughly 220 pages in the edition I read) and the language and structure - though dated of course - was manageable and clear. Usefully, my edition had a glossary. Some rudimentary knowledge on Scotland's geography is useful. Overall, the writing itself was solid, and at times dryly humorous.
The plot, though, was frankly pretty boring, and the pacing odd. I won't go into detail (are spoilers possible on a novel published 200+ years ago? I think so!), but in my view there was simply not much there, there. The characters were boring to mildly interesting at best, and the climax was sub-climactic at best.
Overall, it was not really worth the time spent. I don't think I'll be investing any more time in the other books of the series. Sorry, Sir Walter!
May 9, 2020
I am a fan and defender of Walter Scott, and the Marquess of Montrose is a bit of a historical hero of mine, so this should have suited me well. Sadly it didn't live up to hopes or expectations. The basis for a plot is set down early on but then seems to be forgotten until it is hastily resurrected in the closing chapters. Bits of historical fact are hastily inserted at times in between. Most of the first half of the book concerns the activities of Major Dalgetty. The major is a comic character, but comedy is not one of Sir Walter's strong points - at least at the distance of 200 years. One of the Major's humorous characteristics is that other characters in the book all find him deadly boring. The risk here of course is that the reader does too - and so it was. I'm not sure the timescales work either. For these to work the Major's little adventures must take the same time as whole of Montrose's first campaign of 1644 - theoretically possible but it doesn't ring true. All in all a novel that doesn't enhance Sir Walter's well deserved reputation as a historical novelist and maybe best overlooked.
September 10, 2022
This is one of the few Waverley novels I hadn't read: I can recognise these by the uncut pages in my Border Edition of 1900. Since the historical setting of this novel is the English Civil War, I expected it to foreground an exploration of the rival claims of Cavaliers and Parliamentarians, of the old and the new, the traditional and the radical, which is the concern that appears, in many different guises, in so many of Scott's novels. But there is virtually nothing of that here. It is an arresting narrative – as always in Scott – with some finely drawn characters, but nothing more; and it is a symptom of its comparatively lightweight nature that the dreadful curse which hangs over one of the characters is, in the final pages of the novel, casually elided.
July 14, 2020
A somewhat unusual Scott novel, which centers around possible Scott's most humorous character, Sir Dugald Dalgetty of Drumthwacket. Sir Dugald is annoying, but comedic because we all know someone just like him. Although a fairly bland book overall, the high point is the description of the final battle, which excellently written. Worth picking up if seen in a shop, but otherwise, you're probably better passing over it for a better Scott book.
October 11, 2023
I read this in the same volume as The Black Dwarf and this took me so much longer to read. It was much less enjoyable than the aforementioned novel and I often had to force myself to read just to get through it. The plot is mainly about battles and wars with a very small part about a love triangle. I just wasn't interested in this at all.
April 5, 2021
2020 was a year for reading books that would expand my understanding of 17th century Scotland. I chose to start 2021 with another Sir Walter Scott Novel set in the same time period with Montrose in the center. I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative describing the battle where Montrose faced Argyll. I also enjoyed Annot Lyle as a female thread throughout the novel. A Legend of Montrose is one of the shorter novels and not as well received as its predecessor, The Bride of Lammermoor. However, I do recommend reading this novel.
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November 21, 2014I read this, but so long ago I can't remember anything about it except that it went more easily than I had feared it would, being back-shelf Scott. See my review of Montrose for non-fiction back story.
March 4, 2011
Similar to Old Mortality, the story is mainly an excuse to talk about Scottish military history. Not the most exciting topic, and the characters are not that interesting, either. At least there were less speeches filled with indecipherable Scottish dialect.
November 3, 2015
This book was just ok. A decent story with interesting characters, but not as good as some of Scott's other works.
April 12, 2016
Clearly not for the Covenanters in this story. But Captain Dalgetty made me laugh, roll my eyes, and shake my head.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews