Status Updates From Robert Louis Stevenson: Sev...

The novels are good enough, but not always intriguing and engaging. The first novels, which grasped lasting fame for RLS, were great. I want to be done with it without abandoning it outright. Something yet to come might be as good as Kidnapped and as Treasure Island. David Balfour is the final novel of the seven. It promises to be the sequel to something that I no longer remember.

Ican’t believe it! The Master of Ballantrae is dead in a mid-night brotherly sword fight duel by candle light out in the yard. Where can this story go from here?

On p. 597 I find the beginning of another unknown novel: The Master of Ballantrae. At the end of “The Black Arrow” p. 594, the previous novel, I was sorely tempted to mark the book as finished.

II have found the conclusion of another little-known novel: “The Black Arrow”, which deserves to be better known. This has been another wild, engaging experience that ends “happily ever after” following a long account of the loving couple fighting their way to get together at the altar.

Currently beginning Black Arrow, BOOK III: MY LORD FOXHAM. This is a marvelous adventure of bows with arrows and crossbows with projectiles. Don't forget the archaic language of Middle English.

p. 486. I have reached the end of Black Arrow, Book I. This concludes the adventures of John Matcham, under the guiding and protective hand of Dick Shelton. These traveling companions have reached The Moat House of Sir Daniel. They approach in trepidation, unsure of their future in Daniel's hands.

I have finally reached the happy ending for David Balfour of Shaws and his loyal friend Alan [aka Mr. Thomson]. Without the kind help of strangers along the way they would never have made it to finality. Next I will launch into The BlackArrow.

OLD NEWS:

I finished TREASURE ISLAND, Prince Otto, Jekyll & Hyde, well entered upon Kidnapped. Ch. VI.

Kidnapped Ch. VI

Uncle Ebeneezer is a perfect prototype for Ebeneezer Scrooge. I’ll keep looking for old Marley.

I don’t remember encountering more than allusions to this story. This is going to be good.

Gave up on Jeckyll’s too lengthy explanation.
Read into KIDNAPPED to beginning Ch. III.

Finished Otto. Romance was restored, though the principality fell to the socialists. I enjoyed the book. Gondremark was never heard of more, though he surfaced in the spurious bibliography. I am disturbed when legitimate government falls to socialism; I lived it in Chile 1072-74.

Prince Otto, Book III, Chapter I, begins with the arrested Prince Otto sent off to prison. Will Saraphina admit her mistake, relent and free him?

This novel is captivating and very complex.

BOOK II,
CH. IV in the ante-room….

Book II
Of Love and Politics
Chapter 1.
Otto is an interesting character in a curious setting. Does he love his wife?
IS HE MERELY GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF PROTECTING HER HONOR AGAINST THE ENGLISHMAN ANALYST?

I finally found the last page of “Treasure Island” at p. 138.

The blank opening pages of “Prince Otto” have led me rapidly to p. 141. I have read no more than the title and such for this new adventure.

As you might notice, the pagination does not start anew for the new novel.

The tension between reading sessions is unbearable!

Part5, Ch22.
After our heroes took occupation of the stockade constructed by a very prudent Buccaneer Captain, in the last chapter the mutineers attacked the stockade from the woods surrounding and managed to board over the palisade. Our faithful crew, was nicked losing one killed in the first attack by the mutineers. These took the greater loss in leaving a dear half-dozen of their number dead in the stockade.

Part Four begins new adventure, with marooned Ben Gunn, who happens to know our arch mutineer Long John. How will we get off of the island and home safely?

Part IV P.63
Adventure is precious hard to put down! I nearly can talk like an old buccaneer myself.