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My Aunt Margaret's Mirror
Lady Bothwell listened to her sister without attempting to console her. Probably she might be of opinion that even the worst intelligence which could be received from Flanders might not be without some touch of consolation; and that the Dowager Lady Forester, if so she was doomed to be called, might have a source of happiness unknown to the wife of the gayest and finest gentleman in Scotland. This conviction became stronger as they learned from inquiries made at headquarters that Sir Philip was no longer with the army--though whether he had been taken or slain in some of those skirmishes which were perpetually occurring.
88 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1827
About the author
Walter Scott
5,991 books2,119 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 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 10, 2018
How deeply I had started detesting short stories! I am glad that I read My Aunt Margaret's Mirror. It is a story that Aunt Margaret weaves about her "superstition" for the mirror. The slow narration is highly captivating. After this short story, I'm really thinking of probing into it, though I'd like to stick with the writers before twentieth century.
July 31, 2020
The first story, "The Mirror of Aunt Margaret."
The author of the famous Ivanhoe and Quentin Durward attacks the mystery with this text that evokes the supernatural through the mirror.
The introduction, very autobiographical, refers to childhood impressions of the author, while the two chapters report what told her aunt Marguerite. He points out that his conversations with his aunt rarely relate to the present or the future because "the past has everything they regret."
The wife of Sir Philippe Forester, Scottish libertine of the late 18th century, will go secretly to a doctor-sorcerer with his sister to try to find out what has become of her missing husband. The mirror will reveal his infidelity, the consequences of which will be fatal for the family.
What is interesting about this short story is the way Walter Scott dramatizes the events around the supernatural apparition in Sir Philippe Forester's mirror.
Second tale: "The Highland Widow."
The widow of the mountains offers us a little known vision of Walter Scott, that of one of the founders of the fantastic tale in England. Heir to German folklore research initiated by Musaüs and later by the Grimm brothers, Scott became interested early in Scottish folk traditions. It's in this collection of ghosts, goblins, witches and fairies, incredibly rich that Scott drew his inspiration to write the tales presented to us, placed for the first time in their context at the once literary, historical and folkloric.
The author of the famous Ivanhoe and Quentin Durward attacks the mystery with this text that evokes the supernatural through the mirror.
The introduction, very autobiographical, refers to childhood impressions of the author, while the two chapters report what told her aunt Marguerite. He points out that his conversations with his aunt rarely relate to the present or the future because "the past has everything they regret."
The wife of Sir Philippe Forester, Scottish libertine of the late 18th century, will go secretly to a doctor-sorcerer with his sister to try to find out what has become of her missing husband. The mirror will reveal his infidelity, the consequences of which will be fatal for the family.
What is interesting about this short story is the way Walter Scott dramatizes the events around the supernatural apparition in Sir Philippe Forester's mirror.
Second tale: "The Highland Widow."
The widow of the mountains offers us a little known vision of Walter Scott, that of one of the founders of the fantastic tale in England. Heir to German folklore research initiated by Musaüs and later by the Grimm brothers, Scott became interested early in Scottish folk traditions. It's in this collection of ghosts, goblins, witches and fairies, incredibly rich that Scott drew his inspiration to write the tales presented to us, placed for the first time in their context at the once literary, historical and folkloric.
September 19, 2020
É uma obra composta por dois pequenos contos góticos típicos do período romântico da primeira metade do séc XIX.
O primeiro dos quais e realmente "o espelho da Tia Margarida" e o segundo "Um drama na montanha."
É uma obra cuja leitura tem de ser enquadrada no tempo, que já referi, e no espaço. Não se pode ler uma obra deste genero fantasia com is padrões do séc XXI. E é por isso mesmo que dou 4 estrelas. Pelo ambiente místico da Escócia, e sobretudo das higlands, com referência à sua peculiar história que me é muito familiar e querida. Ja a edição do JN é simplesmente desastrosa. Pedi a conta aos erros topográficos encontrados mas sao sempre mais de dois ou três por página o que é desesperante.
O primeiro dos quais e realmente "o espelho da Tia Margarida" e o segundo "Um drama na montanha."
É uma obra cuja leitura tem de ser enquadrada no tempo, que já referi, e no espaço. Não se pode ler uma obra deste genero fantasia com is padrões do séc XXI. E é por isso mesmo que dou 4 estrelas. Pelo ambiente místico da Escócia, e sobretudo das higlands, com referência à sua peculiar história que me é muito familiar e querida. Ja a edição do JN é simplesmente desastrosa. Pedi a conta aos erros topográficos encontrados mas sao sempre mais de dois ou três por página o que é desesperante.
April 14, 2026
Margaret Teyzemin Aynası adlı öyküdeki fantastik öğe bence ikinci planda. Bize asıl anlattığı ise, manipülatif çıkarcı bireyin en son ana kadar güven kazanmak için oyun oynayacağı, bu yüzden İskoç tarzı bir kızgınlığın veya nefreti diri tutmanın, bağışlayıp aynı yalana kanmaktan daha yeğlenebilir olduğu. 1828 gibi erken bir tarihte bunu saptamış olması takdire değer. 5/5
1831 tarihli Goblenli Oda veya Ceketli Kadın ise, adından da anlaşılacağı üzere, klasik bir hayaletli oda hikâyesi. Hikâyenin gelişme bölümü girişe göre çok kısa olduğu için, çabucak bitince pek bir tad alınmıyor. 2/5
1831 tarihli Goblenli Oda veya Ceketli Kadın ise, adından da anlaşılacağı üzere, klasik bir hayaletli oda hikâyesi. Hikâyenin gelişme bölümü girişe göre çok kısa olduğu için, çabucak bitince pek bir tad alınmıyor. 2/5
January 31, 2021
Gradevole
October 17, 2012
Podem ler a opinião completa, em português, no Floresta de Livros.
I didn't want to give it 1 star, but this book was NOT Okay (2 stars definition)
The first story, was horrible and the second wasn't much better. The author uses too much exposition and preaches too much through dialogues: endless and repetitive dialogues. Stories that could be told in 5-10 pages and drag through 30-50.
One other thing I just couldn't understand was the choice to narrate the main story through the story of another's another story. Let me clarify: "My Aunt Margaret's Mirror" tells the story of a nephew who tells of Aunt Margaret, who in turn tells of her ancestor Lady Bothwell who in turn is only there to le us know of her sister' story (Jemmie Falconer). Neither the nephew, nor the Aunt Margaret (who gives a TITLE to the story) have anything to do with the main story told here. And it's not even Aunt Margaret's mirror that matters.
The second story ("A Drama in the Mountain") follows the same pattern. The reader is reading the entry on the diary of a Mrs.Bethune Beliol who hears a story from her carriage driver, who in turn is telling the story of a woman who is not even related to him, a woman caleld Elspat.
See what I mean? Why didn't the author simply tell the story that mattered without loosig his time with the nephew, the aunt, or the lady who travels and her carriage driver. Why not tell the story straight? Why waste time?
All in al, the only reason I finished this book was because it was small, and yet so painful to read.
The second story was more interesting, but it dragged so much that I almost gave up.
A true disappointment.
A final note to the several grammar mistakes in the translation and the awful use of commas. It was beyond annoying.
I didn't want to give it 1 star, but this book was NOT Okay (2 stars definition)
The first story, was horrible and the second wasn't much better. The author uses too much exposition and preaches too much through dialogues: endless and repetitive dialogues. Stories that could be told in 5-10 pages and drag through 30-50.
One other thing I just couldn't understand was the choice to narrate the main story through the story of another's another story. Let me clarify: "My Aunt Margaret's Mirror" tells the story of a nephew who tells of Aunt Margaret, who in turn tells of her ancestor Lady Bothwell who in turn is only there to le us know of her sister' story (Jemmie Falconer). Neither the nephew, nor the Aunt Margaret (who gives a TITLE to the story) have anything to do with the main story told here. And it's not even Aunt Margaret's mirror that matters.
The second story ("A Drama in the Mountain") follows the same pattern. The reader is reading the entry on the diary of a Mrs.Bethune Beliol who hears a story from her carriage driver, who in turn is telling the story of a woman who is not even related to him, a woman caleld Elspat.
See what I mean? Why didn't the author simply tell the story that mattered without loosig his time with the nephew, the aunt, or the lady who travels and her carriage driver. Why not tell the story straight? Why waste time?
All in al, the only reason I finished this book was because it was small, and yet so painful to read.
The second story was more interesting, but it dragged so much that I almost gave up.
A true disappointment.
A final note to the several grammar mistakes in the translation and the awful use of commas. It was beyond annoying.
April 7, 2012
Este livro contempla dois contos. "O Espelho da Tia Margarida" e "Um Drama na Montanha".
No primeiro conto, uma velha tia que criou quase todas as crianças da família está próxima do fim da vida, segundo as suas palavras. Como tal, relembra a história de uma antepassada que tinha o mesmo nome que ela. Recorda-se então dum espelho e do seu papel no revelar místico da verdade, quando a sua antepassada recorreu a um vidente para saber o que se passava com o seu marido que tinha ido para a guerra e nunca mais dera notícias. Através do espelho vê acontecer o casamento do seu marido, com outra mulher, e vê o seu irmão, que tinha ido para a guerra com o marido, entrar num duelo com ele ao assistir a esta cerimónia. O irmão morreu no duelo. Anos mais tarde, já depois da antepassada ter morrido, a irmã desta triste senhora tem um encontro com o ex-cunhado, disfarçado para não ser reconhecido. Conta-se também como foi lançada uma praga, que acompanhará a família por muitas gerações.
No segundo conto, viajamos até à Escócia e ao tempo dos highlanders. Ao relacionamento difícil entre um filho e uma mãe. A viúva de um highlander respeitado vê as suas esperanças de ter no filho um sucessor da glória do pai sairem frustradas. O filho, ao fazer aquilo que considera ser certo para ele, dá um desgosto à mãe. O filho acaba por morrer, condenado pelas regras da sociedade da época, por ter falhado um compromisso devido à intervenção da mãe, que lhe deu uma poção que o fez dormir e não sair a tempo. A mãe depois disso vive angustiada com o passado, na montanha, numa pequena cabana junto a uma árvore, longe de tudo e de todos.
No primeiro conto, uma velha tia que criou quase todas as crianças da família está próxima do fim da vida, segundo as suas palavras. Como tal, relembra a história de uma antepassada que tinha o mesmo nome que ela. Recorda-se então dum espelho e do seu papel no revelar místico da verdade, quando a sua antepassada recorreu a um vidente para saber o que se passava com o seu marido que tinha ido para a guerra e nunca mais dera notícias. Através do espelho vê acontecer o casamento do seu marido, com outra mulher, e vê o seu irmão, que tinha ido para a guerra com o marido, entrar num duelo com ele ao assistir a esta cerimónia. O irmão morreu no duelo. Anos mais tarde, já depois da antepassada ter morrido, a irmã desta triste senhora tem um encontro com o ex-cunhado, disfarçado para não ser reconhecido. Conta-se também como foi lançada uma praga, que acompanhará a família por muitas gerações.
No segundo conto, viajamos até à Escócia e ao tempo dos highlanders. Ao relacionamento difícil entre um filho e uma mãe. A viúva de um highlander respeitado vê as suas esperanças de ter no filho um sucessor da glória do pai sairem frustradas. O filho, ao fazer aquilo que considera ser certo para ele, dá um desgosto à mãe. O filho acaba por morrer, condenado pelas regras da sociedade da época, por ter falhado um compromisso devido à intervenção da mãe, que lhe deu uma poção que o fez dormir e não sair a tempo. A mãe depois disso vive angustiada com o passado, na montanha, numa pequena cabana junto a uma árvore, longe de tudo e de todos.
March 14, 2016
Supernatural yarn from Scott.
Married to a dissolute nobleman who disappears after running off to the continent, Lady Forester decides to see if she can learn something of her husband's whereabouts. She pays a visit to an Italian spiritualist, who warns her that she may not like what he shows her in his mirror.
Short story with a introductory frame involving the Aunt Margaret of the title, an aging Jacobite from a family of diminished fortunes, who tells the story to her only surviving nephew.
Not bad.
Married to a dissolute nobleman who disappears after running off to the continent, Lady Forester decides to see if she can learn something of her husband's whereabouts. She pays a visit to an Italian spiritualist, who warns her that she may not like what he shows her in his mirror.
Short story with a introductory frame involving the Aunt Margaret of the title, an aging Jacobite from a family of diminished fortunes, who tells the story to her only surviving nephew.
Not bad.
June 18, 2012
A book containing two stories by Walter Scott. The first one, "My Aunt Margaret's Mirror" is quite well written and contains lots of suspense.
The second story, "The Highland Widow", although well written, is a bit hard to read, but has many interesting facts about the Wars of Scottish Independence.
The second story, "The Highland Widow", although well written, is a bit hard to read, but has many interesting facts about the Wars of Scottish Independence.
May 22, 2014
O Espelho da Tia Margarida by Walter Scott
Esperava mais do Walter Scott. No entanto admito que se possa ter perdido a genialidade na tradução.
Esperava mais do Walter Scott. No entanto admito que se possa ter perdido a genialidade na tradução.
December 28, 2014
Também li “Um Drama na Montanha”, do mesmo escritor. Dois contos bastante interessantes, de leitura agradável.
March 6, 2023
Abbastanza deludente: pensavo di trovare il misterioso specchio del titolo al centro di questa brevissima storia (51 pagine appena), un oggetto dai misteriosi poteri il quale però rimane relegato a un'apparizione o poco più, lasciando spazio ad una storia familiare sofferta della quale però sappiamo troppo poco per essere coinvolti nell'apprendere il loro destino.
C'è anche il dettaglio del personaggio italiano dipinto come ciarlatano abbindolatore di donne disperate, ma sinceramente non lo trovo molto diverso dal trattamento riservato dagli autori dell'epoca (anche italiani) alle popolazioni asiatiche o africane, descritte in modo stereotipato e come intrinsecamente bugiarde, ingannevoli o primitive, quindi non me ne faccio un cruccio: era un'altra epoca, piena di pregiudizio e ignoranza, quindi non mi scandalizzo.
C'è anche il dettaglio del personaggio italiano dipinto come ciarlatano abbindolatore di donne disperate, ma sinceramente non lo trovo molto diverso dal trattamento riservato dagli autori dell'epoca (anche italiani) alle popolazioni asiatiche o africane, descritte in modo stereotipato e come intrinsecamente bugiarde, ingannevoli o primitive, quindi non me ne faccio un cruccio: era un'altra epoca, piena di pregiudizio e ignoranza, quindi non mi scandalizzo.
January 19, 2026
Mah.
Presente quando pensi "oh wow, non sapevo che [nome autore famoso] avesse scritto anche ghost stories, come è possibile? Devo assolutamente leggerla, sarà bellissima!".
Ecco: sempre più mi sto rendendo conto che in genere c'è un motivo, se la storiella di turno è caduta nel dimenticatoio a dispetto del nome famoso dell'autore. E il motivo è in genere che... davvero, proprio niente di che.
Presente quando pensi "oh wow, non sapevo che [nome autore famoso] avesse scritto anche ghost stories, come è possibile? Devo assolutamente leggerla, sarà bellissima!".
Ecco: sempre più mi sto rendendo conto che in genere c'è un motivo, se la storiella di turno è caduta nel dimenticatoio a dispetto del nome famoso dell'autore. E il motivo è in genere che... davvero, proprio niente di che.
April 16, 2023
The first short was really nice, not so much the second one. But this edition was full of mistakes and that destroyed the reading experience a little bit.
July 19, 2025
2.50 reading slumptan cikmaya çalışırken okudum o yuzden hiç kafami veremedim
September 15, 2025
interesting but fantasy
August 30, 2017
Filo conduttore di questi brevi racconti è una leggera spruzzata di sovrannaturale, che si tratti di una stanza infestata, di una visione premonitrice, o di una visita negli inferi e ritorno, Scott ci trasporta in un bel viaggio nelle Highlands scozzesi, fra superstizioni e magie che, ancora oggi, non smettono di ammaliare.
Dopo Ann Radcliffe, anche Scott immortala noi italiani in modo impietoso.
Dopo Ann Radcliffe, anche Scott immortala noi italiani in modo impietoso.
November 9, 2020
There are two short stories in this book. In the first, "My Aunt Margaret's Mirror," old Aunt Margaret tells her nephew a yarn about a mirror, of which she is dreadfully superstitious. This story dragged for me; it seemed to take a long time to get do
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