Tracey’s Comments (group member since Jul 17, 2016)

Tracey’s comments from the Sir Walter Scott Appreciation group.

Rosemarie wrote: "I too have read all the books on your list. They are all good choices, and I hope you will like the Charterhouse of Parma. Stendhal is one of my favourite French 19th century writers."

That is an author I haven't read but on your recommendation I will give him a try.

Dianne wrote: "1800-09:
1810-19: Northanger Abbey
1820-29:
1830-39: The Charterhouse of Parma
1840-49: Jane Eyre
1850-59: Doctor Thorne
1860-69:
1870-79: [bo..."
I will be reading Doctor Thorne too and Jane Eyre, although this is a re-read so I can't include in this challenge. The Brothers Karamazov is an excellent book.

Rosemarie wrote: "After 18 chapters our hero is finally in Scotland, guided by his uncle's former gardener, and erstwhile smuggler, Andrew Fairservice."

It seems that no one is as they seem. And who is Mr. Campbell?
The name of Campbell held meaning for Scott. I wonder if this is why he chose it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacr...

Rosemarie wrote: "I have just finished the first ten chapters. Diana Vernon is a wonderful female character who doesn't do any of the typical activities of a woman of the time. As an orphan, she needs to be strong s..."

Outside of his time I feel, Scott produces a female character of strength, independent thinking and courage. I like her.

Haaze wrote: "Hoping to read my first Gaskell book for my first choice!"

I love Elizabeth Gaskell. Wives and Daughters is one of my favourite books.

Post thoughts here. Questions to follow

Rosemarie wrote: "I likes the fact that the ending went beyond a typical adventure story ending and showed John and Grace as adults."

I agree. One scene I loved was the auction of the inn. I read this to my 2 children years ago and as I read the scene out loud the tension and the emotion of it has stayed with me.

Rosemarie wrote: "I have written a review of Moonfleet and gave it four stars."

Great. I loved Moonfleet too.

Rosemarie wrote: "I enjoy doing personal challenges as a way to expand my reading. I find that as a read more classics I also get more critical of current popular writers. YA books are often better written and more ..."

I know what you are saying. The more books that are printed, the narrower my taste seems to become and I choose pre- early 20th century over late 20th/early 21st. The classics take longer to read as they are deeper and more challenging.

Rosemarie wrote: "That is good to know. I don't like rushing through a good book."

No I don't either and I am enjoying what I have read so far in Rob Roy. I wanted this group to be more of a personal challenge and voyage of discovery of lesser known/read books, and that takes it's own time :)

Rosemarie wrote: "I am still waiting for my book. I hope it comes in to the library soon."

No worries. I deliberately made the book discussion a 2 month time period to give others a chance to join in if/when they are ready.

Rosemarie wrote: "My first book will be Moonfleet written in 1898.
My second book will be The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde written in 1886."

Both good books

A good link to use to study Rob Roy and other works of Sir Walter Scott:

http://www.walterscott.lib.ed.ac.uk/w...

1. What part does pride have to play in these opening chapters on the lives of Osbaldistone senior and junior?

2. What do you think of Frank?

3. What does the dining hall tell you about the men of the family at Osbaldistone Hall?

4. How does the youngest cousin differ from his brothers?

5. What is the Revolution talked about in chapter 6?

6. Who is the King, and what is the state religion and political power at the setting of the story?

7. Which 'side' had Hildebrand's allegiance?

8. Who is Mr. Campbell?

9. From the story, can you deduce the approximate year?

Links to information below:

https://www.britannica.com/event/Glor...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic...

https://www.britannica.com/biography/...

http://www.historyofparliamentonline....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whigs_(...

Rosemarie wrote: "My library copy is on the way to my local branch, but it's a long weekend here, so I hope it is there on Tuesday.
Here is a bit of trivia: the main character in the German novel [book:Effi Briest|4..."

Sir Walter Scott novels and poetry was very well read and loved in it's time and I am hoping he can become more known again.

Some info on Sir Walter Scott and Rob Roy:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_...

https://www.britannica.com/biography/...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Roy...

39 chapters and 1 postscript means that this book can be read in one month for reading 10 chapters/week.

I am reading Ruth in August and have Rob Roy on order from the library. These will be my first two books

1800-09: Travels into the Interior of Africa (1808) (Scottish author) READ
1810-19: Rob Roy by Walter Scott (Scottish author) (1817) READ
1820-29: The Pioneers by James Fenimore Cooper (American author) (1823) READ
1830-39: The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo(French author) (1831) READ
1840-49: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë (English author) (1848) READ
1850-59: Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope (English author) 1858 READ
1860-69: Lorna Doone by R D Blackmore (English author) (1869) READ
1870-79: The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy (English author) 1878 READ
1880-89: The Happy Prince and Other Tales by Oscar Wilde (Irish author) 1888 READ
1890-99: A Journey to the End of the Russian Empire] by Anton Chekhov (Russian author) 1893 READ