- Paperback: 720 pages
- Publisher: Oxford Paperbacks; New edition edition (8 July 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0192836277
- ISBN-13: 978-0192836274
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 852,422 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor (Penguin Classics)
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Product Description
Product Description
This is the only critical edition of this perennially popular story. Sally Shuttleworth's introduction finds, beneath the idyllic evocation of rural bliss and a tale of love and high adventure, a startling sub-text which rigidly defends Victorian values, and portrays a `manly' hero constantly having to prove his masculinity to himself.
About the Author
SS is Lecturer in the School of English at the University of Sheffield
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
IF anybody cares to read a simple tale told simply, I, John Ridd, of the parish of Oare, in the county of Somerset, yeoman and churchwarden, have seen and had a share in some doings of this neighbourhood, which I will try to set down in order, God sparing my life and memory. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
IF anybody cares to read a simple tale told simply, I, John Ridd, of the parish of Oare, in the county of Somerset, yeoman and churchwarden, have seen and had a share in some doings of this neighbourhood, which I will try to set down in order, God sparing my life and memory. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What an awesome tale. Written in the 19th century, but telling a tale about the late 1600's during the times of Charles II and James II. Our hero, John Ridd is a simple, albeit wise and honorable farmer who as a young lad meets Lorna Doone of the dreaded, evil outlaw family of higher born Doones, and it's love at first sight.
There are lots of ups and downs and surprises, along with the author's gorgeous prose describing the english countryside and farmlife. You have to pay attention though, as none of the characters are wasted. What might seem as inconsequential events and characters earlier in the story are brought back in full circle to the tale, along with a great mystery about Lorna's past as the author slowly peels out the many layers of his story.
Highly highly recommended. If you enjoy Thomas Hardy, Charlotte Bronte or Dickens this will probably be right up your alley.
There are lots of ups and downs and surprises, along with the author's gorgeous prose describing the english countryside and farmlife. You have to pay attention though, as none of the characters are wasted. What might seem as inconsequential events and characters earlier in the story are brought back in full circle to the tale, along with a great mystery about Lorna's past as the author slowly peels out the many layers of his story.
Highly highly recommended. If you enjoy Thomas Hardy, Charlotte Bronte or Dickens this will probably be right up your alley.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It reads like the memoirs of a 17th century gentleman so much so that you have to remind yourself constantly that it was fictional and written nearly 200 years later. Despite this, although I am no expert, the hitorical setting seems accurate and entirely believable. It appears that the tumultuous events of the late 17th century in West Country England had left an imprint in collective memory of the region and R.D. Blackmore has captured this skillfully in this novel. I love the atmosphere whispers and rumours of discontent and rebellion, the portrait of utter folly of Monmouth's claim to the throne,the pain and frustration of battle and aftermath of the Bloody Assizes.
I will not be the first to suggest that it should be entitled "John Ridd" Indeed I find the central romance of his love of Lorna Doone a little syrupy sweet for my liking although it does act as a central spine for the rest of the epic tale. Our hero, John Ridd is clearly not the simple "clod hopper" they he purports to be. He has an education, he can read and write in a time when that was a rarity and he has wisdom as broad and strong as his shoulders. I like him very much for his simple honesty, modesty but also for towering physical strength.
R.D. Blackmore prose is not as rich say as Dickens but he has ability to weave a tale that is intricate and complex as any classic novel. There are times when the language is difficult there are word used of which I still have not found the meaning despite web searches. There are passages written in West Country dialect that I could only understand by voicing them as my Auntie Norah (a true Devonian) would have spoken them. On occssion R.D. Blackmore drifts off the subject to discuss morals or generally air his views (or should I say John Ridd's views) on an issue which I find superflusous. In general sometimes you feel it could have done with a good editor to stop R.D. Blackmore' self indulgance.
Despite these reservations, it thoroughly good read. It a story that will haunt you for the the rest of your life - definately a book to read before you die.
I will not be the first to suggest that it should be entitled "John Ridd" Indeed I find the central romance of his love of Lorna Doone a little syrupy sweet for my liking although it does act as a central spine for the rest of the epic tale. Our hero, John Ridd is clearly not the simple "clod hopper" they he purports to be. He has an education, he can read and write in a time when that was a rarity and he has wisdom as broad and strong as his shoulders. I like him very much for his simple honesty, modesty but also for towering physical strength.
R.D. Blackmore prose is not as rich say as Dickens but he has ability to weave a tale that is intricate and complex as any classic novel. There are times when the language is difficult there are word used of which I still have not found the meaning despite web searches. There are passages written in West Country dialect that I could only understand by voicing them as my Auntie Norah (a true Devonian) would have spoken them. On occssion R.D. Blackmore drifts off the subject to discuss morals or generally air his views (or should I say John Ridd's views) on an issue which I find superflusous. In general sometimes you feel it could have done with a good editor to stop R.D. Blackmore' self indulgance.
Despite these reservations, it thoroughly good read. It a story that will haunt you for the the rest of your life - definately a book to read before you die.
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Lorna Doone is my favourite of all classic English novels and is still under-rated. This is one of the most complete books ever written.
It is a tale with something for everyone. It has romance, chivalry, action, revenge, factual history and some great twists of plot.
Written in 1869 but set in the late 1600s, its characters are based around the exploits of real historical figures.
The only thing that may put off the modern reader is that it contains some extra historical narrative, making it a long book. This can be omitted by the reader without being essential to the plot. Just skip through this and enjoy Blackmore's best novel.
R D Blackmore's lovingly detailed observations of nature are always a delight.
For me to this day, it is quite simply the best book I've ever read and I am now fortunate enough to own a copy of the first edition. I cannot recommend it enough.
This paperback edition simply has to be read once by us all.
It is a tale with something for everyone. It has romance, chivalry, action, revenge, factual history and some great twists of plot.
Written in 1869 but set in the late 1600s, its characters are based around the exploits of real historical figures.
The only thing that may put off the modern reader is that it contains some extra historical narrative, making it a long book. This can be omitted by the reader without being essential to the plot. Just skip through this and enjoy Blackmore's best novel.
R D Blackmore's lovingly detailed observations of nature are always a delight.
For me to this day, it is quite simply the best book I've ever read and I am now fortunate enough to own a copy of the first edition. I cannot recommend it enough.
This paperback edition simply has to be read once by us all.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Done Doone
This edition was the cheapest, that's why I bought it but, it was the longest version and the smallest print imaginable hence, very hard to read yet well worth the effort. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Bishop Burton Book Group
Loorna Doone book
A good publication, the story is a classic but the language in which it is written may put some people off ...it takes time to get to grips with the book but worth it in the end. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Loubby James
A classic that strongly deserves a read/re-read
I read this wonderful book years ago and liked it then but had forgotten how truly lovely it is. It was written in the 1880s so is a bit old fashioned but I think this is part of... Read more
Published 21 months ago by E. Chaplin
bemired on Exmoor
When I begin a book I like to finish, even if it is hard work. That was the case with this novel. The story is a good one but I found the often deliberately archaic language heavy... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Timothy John Myall
A good novel
Naturally I had heard of Lorna Doone before, especially as a child but had never read the full unabridged story until very recently. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Frank Bierbrauer
Lorna Doone revisited
This classic romance story set in the wilds of Exmoor in the 17th C nevertheless has a timeless appeal. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2010 by P. B. Hiley
Lorna doone
lovely story. very good for reading out loud. did not realize how much humour there was in it. would recommened.many thanks
Published on 5 April 2009 by M. Buss
Lorna Doone classic
I have not yet had a chance to read this as my husband has started to read it and can't put it down. Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2009 by Mrs. L. West
Great adventure
A complex and interesting adventure saga, Lorna Doone also has another fascination for Australian readers at least--it was the legendary bushranger Ned Kelly's favourite book, and... Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2009 by Sophie Masson
Simply Wonderful
What an awesome tale. Written in the 19th century, but telling a tale about the late 1600's during the times of Charles II and James II. Read more
Published on 22 April 2007 by Misfit
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