Lorna Doone A Romance of Exmoor, Volume I

by R.D. Blackmore

This is an illustrious historical romance set in the backdrop of the Monmouth Rebellion in the 17th century during the reign of Charles II. John Ridd and his family are threatened by the Doones, the family of outlaws. The young boy explores a new world and meets a beautiful girl with whom he falls in love. The twists and turns of the plot and striking landscapes of Badgworthy valley are pleasant.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Classics, Romance

523 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

Richard Doddridge Blackmore, referred to most commonly as R.D. Blackmore, was one of the most famous English novelists of his generation. Over the course of his career, Blackmore achieved a close following around the world. He won literary merit and acclaim for his vivid descriptions and personification of the countryside, sharing with Thomas Hardy a Western England background and a strong sense of regional setting in his works.[1] Noted for his eye for and sympathy with nature, critics of the time described this as one of the most striking features of his writings.

Blackmore, a popular novelist of the second half of the nineteenth century, often referred to as the "Last Victorian", acted as pioneer of the new romantic movement in fiction that continued with Robert Louis Stevenson and others. He may be said to have done for Devon what Sir Walter Scott did for the Highlands and Hardy for Wessex. Blackmore has been described as "proud, shy, reticent, strong-willed, sweet-tempered, and self-centred."

Though very popular in his time, Blackmore's work has since been altogether ignored, and his entire body of work, save for his magnum opus Lorna Doone, which has enjoyed considerable popularity since its being published, has gone out of publication. Thus his reputation rests chiefly upon this romantic work, in spite of the fact that it was not his favourite.

Reviews

[Fashnhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The historical background of this story and the description of life in that very confusing time was a real adventure for me. My vocabulary has been challenged, the scenic descriptions of rural England were very vivid and the societal differences of rural and London folk were surprisingly familiar .
I enjoyed reading long sentences again. A very good read.

[Chris]

Loved the narration, the characters, the plot twists. the history. My particular two-voulume set appears to be a 1909 edition, with an easy-on-the-eyes gravure. It only took three days to read. Volume Two awaits!

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly funny! An enjoyable read throughout, although the pacing towards the end is a bit too fast, with several plot threads getting quick/unsatisfactory endings.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many twists. Brilliant read