≡ PDF Lady Of The Glen A Novel of 17ThCentury Scotland and the Massacre of Glencoe Jennifer Roberson 9781575662893 Books

Lady Of The Glen A Novel of 17ThCentury Scotland and the Massacre of Glencoe Jennifer Roberson 9781575662893 Books

Download As PDF : Lady Of The Glen A Novel of 17ThCentury Scotland and the Massacre of Glencoe Jennifer Roberson 9781575662893 Books

Lady Of The Glen A Novel of 17ThCentury Scotland and the Massacre of Glencoe Jennifer Roberson 9781575662893 Books

This is a fairly historically accurate story of what led up to the massacre of Glencoe, a horrible episode of Scottish history that took place during the Jacobite uprisings (one of many, sadly, but not anywhere near as bad as Culloden), and of all the people that were involved in it, from the victims to the perpetrators to people who were caught in the middle. The book weaves multiple stories together, including that of the machinations that led to the massacre and that of the the two people who fell in love despite clan rivalries. It does this by having the viewpoint switch between a number of different characters, all of whom we get to know throughout the years from 1682 through 1695.

This book is incredibly, wonderfully Scottish. The characters wear trews and arisaids and ride garrons and drink usquabae (and do other things you may not recognize) and, when talking, use many expressions that the average reader who isn't obsessed with Scotland may not ken. Och, but dinna fash, dinna greet, just bide a wee, and ye'll get used to it, aye?

Unfortunately, the Scottish-ness was my favorite part of the book. The love story, once it finally got going, was enjoyable for a while, and the politics and behind-the-scenes of the royal courts were interesting, but for some reason, not enough. It took me what felt like forever to get through this book (I had to renew it once), especially the first 180 pages. I wasn't really interested until the gathering of the clans at Achallader, and I didn't reach the point where I was waiting for just one more chapter--just one more! or maybe two, the next one's short--before I would get up to find food or take a shower or something until pretty late in the book.

I had really high hopes for this book, both because its subject seems right up my alley (I love Scotland and Scottish history and highlanders--I even wear a Jacobite rosette pin on my coat), plus there's a recommendation from Diana Gabaldon on the cover, and she's one of my favorite authors. I hope it didn't work for me because it was just the wrong time for me to be reading it; a lot is going on in my life right now. I did enjoy the book quite a lot, because the parts I liked, I really liked, but I fear that was outweighed by how frustrated I was at how long it took me to get into it.


Tags : Lady Of The Glen: A Novel of 17Th-Century Scotland and the Massacre of Glencoe [Jennifer Roberson] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. In the midst of war and treachery, Catriona Campbell and Alasdair Og MacDonald, a man who is her clan's sworn enemy,Jennifer Roberson,Lady Of The Glen: A Novel of 17Th-Century Scotland and the Massacre of Glencoe,Kensington,1575662892,0930-WS1201-A04010-1575662892,Historical - General,AMERICAN HISTORICAL FICTION,FICTION Historical General,Fiction,General Adult,Great BritainBritish Isles,MASS MARKET,Romance

Lady Of The Glen A Novel of 17ThCentury Scotland and the Massacre of Glencoe Jennifer Roberson 9781575662893 Books Reviews

The perfidious Massacre of Glencoe occurred at the village of Glencoe, Glen Coe, Scotland, during the predawn hours of February 13, 1692, during the period of the Glorious Revolution and the Jacobite Risings. Thirty-eight MacDonalds, including the MacIain, clan chieftain, were slaughtered by government troops, led by Captain Robert Campbell of Glen Lyon who had accepted the MacDonald's hospitality. Campbell had been ordered by the King's Master of the Stair, through the Governor of Fort William, to turn on his hosts, (including his own niece and her husband). Although he defended his actions with the "I was just following orders" excuse, Campbell, as a highlander, was well aware of the strictly held laws of Highland hospitality. His offense was, and still is, thought to be unforgivable by many.

Kings William II and III's policy in Scotland was to force clan chieftains to subscribe an oath of loyalty to the crown. MacIain of Glencoe was slow in doing so and eventually missed the deadline by a matter of days, although he did swear the oath. For his tardiness he and his were made "examples of." Those who were able to escape, primarily women and children, hid in the surrounding snowy mountains and died of exposure after their homes were burned. The MacDonald's and Campbell's, already immersed in bitter feuding, still maintain the feud three hundred years later. Campbells continue to suffer the opprobrium of the massacre and generations of Scots children have been taught "never trust a Campbell."

"Lady of the Glen's" subtitle is "a novel of 17th century Scotland and the Massacre of Glencoe," and the book accurately describes the heinous event which took place that morning in 1692 and the history leading up to it, as well as the fictitious Romeo and Juliet love story between Alasdair Og MacDonald, youngest son of the MacIain, and Catriona Campbell of Glen Lyon. Although Alasdair Og did, in fact, marry a Cambell of Glen Lyon, she was a niece to Glen Lyon not his daughter.

While Jennifer Roberson's narrative bogs down occasionally, she writes a fluid, intelligent prose and has an amazing grasp of the historical events, characters and political intrigue of the times. Her fictitious characters, especially Cat and Dair are wonderful, strong and believable - a really terrific and unusual heroine and hero. Because of the violence and terrible sadness, this is no light read and therefore not for everyone. The brutality of the clan wars is depicted with tremendous realism, as are the wonderful customs and culture of the Highlands. One can almost hear the bagpipes play. If you are a fan of good historical fiction and Scottish history in particular, you'll find this novel to be a winner - as I did. ENJOY!

JANA
Mostly this should appeal to people who like reading Irish/Scottish/Celtic stories. Not really a great historical work, so hard core enthusiasts may get cranky. But for those who like history to flavor their love stories, this is pretty good. Reasonably well-written characters, possibly because they are based on historical figures. A little predictable, but not boring. I liked the female lead - she managed to be interesting and consistent all throughout the story. The male lead is your standard 'good-hearted, strong, handsome son of the chief' romantic male lead. The ending felt a bit muddled - we're really not told what's going on at all, but we're subjected to a lot of ANGST until suddenly, we're not. That could have been significantly better. But the historical contexts and the dialogue were generally fun and worth the read.
Great story set around a real historical event. My criticism is not about the story or the author, but about an editing issue. I would have enjoyed the reading much more if the many breaks in scene were indicated by some sort of space or perhaps a design inserted. In the version, changes in scene or character point of view occur by simply jumping from one paragraph to the next, and it takes me half the new paragraph sometimes to place myself in the new setting. This is disorienting and increasingly annoying as the story moves on. As I said, it is an editing issue and not the fault of the writer in any way, but it is annoying and disconcerting, and it has a negative effect on my enjoyment of the book.
This is a fairly historically accurate story of what led up to the massacre of Glencoe, a horrible episode of Scottish history that took place during the Jacobite uprisings (one of many, sadly, but not anywhere near as bad as Culloden), and of all the people that were involved in it, from the victims to the perpetrators to people who were caught in the middle. The book weaves multiple stories together, including that of the machinations that led to the massacre and that of the the two people who fell in love despite clan rivalries. It does this by having the viewpoint switch between a number of different characters, all of whom we get to know throughout the years from 1682 through 1695.

This book is incredibly, wonderfully Scottish. The characters wear trews and arisaids and ride garrons and drink usquabae (and do other things you may not recognize) and, when talking, use many expressions that the average reader who isn't obsessed with Scotland may not ken. Och, but dinna fash, dinna greet, just bide a wee, and ye'll get used to it, aye?

Unfortunately, the Scottish-ness was my favorite part of the book. The love story, once it finally got going, was enjoyable for a while, and the politics and behind-the-scenes of the royal courts were interesting, but for some reason, not enough. It took me what felt like forever to get through this book (I had to renew it once), especially the first 180 pages. I wasn't really interested until the gathering of the clans at Achallader, and I didn't reach the point where I was waiting for just one more chapter--just one more! or maybe two, the next one's short--before I would get up to find food or take a shower or something until pretty late in the book.

I had really high hopes for this book, both because its subject seems right up my alley (I love Scotland and Scottish history and highlanders--I even wear a Jacobite rosette pin on my coat), plus there's a recommendation from Diana Gabaldon on the cover, and she's one of my favorite authors. I hope it didn't work for me because it was just the wrong time for me to be reading it; a lot is going on in my life right now. I did enjoy the book quite a lot, because the parts I liked, I really liked, but I fear that was outweighed by how frustrated I was at how long it took me to get into it.