- Paperback: 624 pages
- Publisher: Oxford Paperbacks; New Ed edition (7 Oct 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 019283763X
- ISBN-13: 978-0192837639
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.4 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 901,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Old Mortality (1816), which many consider the finest of Scott's Waverley novels, is a swift-moving historical romance that places an anachronistically liberal hero against the forces of fanaticism in seventeenth-century Scotland, in the period infamous as the `killing time'. Its central character, Henry Morton, joins the rebels in order to fight Scotland's royalist oppressors, little as he shares the Covenanters' extreme religious beliefs. He is torn between his love for a royalist's granddaughter and his loyalty to his downtrodden countrymen. As well as being a tale of divided loyalties, the novel is a crucial document in the cultural history of modern Scotland. Scott, himself a supporter of the union between Scotland and England, was trying to exorcise the violent past of a country uncomfortably coming to terms with its status as part of a modern United Kingdom. This novel is in itself a significant political document, in which Scott can be seen to be attempting to create a new centralist Scottish historiography, which is not the political consensus of his own time, the seventeenth century, or today.
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'MOST readers,' says the Manuscript of Mr Pattieson, 'must have witnessed with delight the joyous burst which attends the dismissing of a village-school on a fine summer evening. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
'MOST readers,' says the Manuscript of Mr Pattieson, 'must have witnessed with delight the joyous burst which attends the dismissing of a village-school on a fine summer evening. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Landlord's best,
By Weedavie "weedavie" (Scotland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Old Mortality (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)
This is a tremendous novel about Scotland, the nature of fanaticism in general and of the 17th century Presbyterian Covenanters in particular. It's the tale of an ordinary character, trapped between an intolerant government and grassroots religious extremism. If the character of Morton, the hero, is only slightly less conventional than Scott's usual, the rest of the cast is utterly compelling. Balfour who draws Morton into rebellion is a believable consistent terrorist. Claverhouse (Bonny Dundee) is the picture of the conscienceless professional soldier. This portrait was at odds with the demonisation of the Stuart troops in Scott's society and led to a falling out with the novelist James Hogg. Mause Headrigg and Cuddie Headrigg provide a comic aspect that at the same time throws a light on life at the bottom of the revolt.
If you've never tried Scott you may be put off by his slow build up. Don't be. The book becomes a totally involving tale with scenes, dialogue (some in Scots, but it became a European best-seller; you can manage it too) and characters that'll stay with you for ever.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
terrific yarn (and amazing history),
By
This review is from: Old Mortality (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)
I am really quite new to Scott and am amazed at the vitality of the writing - the story keeps rolling on. I am also astounded at the fanaticism (as he sees it) of the Covenanters. These were people who were regarded as heroes in my childhood, and I was always nervous of, but he paints them as thoroughly sincere, a mite improbably knowledgable, even learned peasantry, and ideologically driven gentry who caused mayhem in their own and their country's life. I keep going back to the title page to check that it was indeed written in 1816 - it seems so fresh and modern.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Old Mortality a tale of Love and Religious Fundamentalism,
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This review is from: Old Mortality (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)
On the surface a love story about two suitors competing for the affections of one Lady Bellenden.Set in a turbulent Scotland of the late 17th Century, religious fundamentalism, conflict and a despotic government (parallels with present-day Afghanistan, Palestine?). Our two male heroes are pitted against each other, Henry Morton forced to join the religious zealots and Lord Evandale fighting for the Crown. The two remain friends, romantic rivals and military adversaries in a complicated tale well woven. It shows how personal integrity can overcome fundamentalism and prejudice. Said to be one of Scott’s best works. Written partially in Scots, heavily laced with Old Testament language of the fundamentalists, my recommendation is to read the Scots aloud, and ignore the often obscure biblical references as they halt the action (read them in blocks at the end of chapters). (The footnotes and introduction are especially well written in this edition). Readers should start at Chapter 2 The Wuppenthal to get immediately into the action. The footnotes of this edition are excellent, but leave as many as you can until the book has been finished. The politics is complicated but plough through and the romance, humour and factions will become clear.
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