Reviews for The Bride of Lammermoor

The average rating for The Bride of Lammermoor based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2012-01-03 00:00:00 Bonny Schwank This is an impressive work, one that can be enjoyed by fans of the historical novel, the gothic novel and the novel of ethnic character--provided they accept "The Bride" as a not completely effective fusion of the three and are willing to adjust their expectations accordingly. The essential plot--the story of the dispossessed Master of Ravenswood (now living on top of a promontory overlooking the sea in a half-ruined castle) and how he falls in love with the daughter of his mortal enemy, eventually leading to madness and murder and the fulfillment of an ancient family prophecy--is fiercely romantic, as are Scott's descriptions of the castle of Wolf's Crag and the surrounding countryside. At the same time, the starkness of this wild gothic tale is illuminated and qualified by a rich political context and lightened considerably in tone by humorous Scots stereotypes--particularly that of Ravenswood's faithful majordomo Caleb. I found the resulting hybrid both unique and effective. (Although I must admit I could have done with a little less Caleb. Okay, I admit it: a lot less Caleb). Also . . . I believe--correct me if I'm wrong--that this is the finest novel ever written during a series of debilitating gall bladder attacks.

Review # 2 was written on 2014-08-19 00:00:00 Lynn Brown Around the time of the union between Scotland and England 1707, great changes are occurring in that ancient an often unhappy land of the north, rebellion is always beneath the calm surface, in uneasy Scotland. Rivalries, family blood feuds, (and just plain hate) political contests between Whigs and Tories for power, but with a polite face shown. Edgar , the son of the late Lord Ravenswood, his downfall caused by Sir William Ashton a devious lawyer or a honest man, depending on your side of the aisle, bribery was common in that era's legal courts. Of course brooding Edgar, after a few duels, seeks vengeance against the the destroyer of his family's fortune, estates and honor, he lives in a ruined , like his life, haunted (some say) castle with only one old wily servant left, Caleb Balderstone, in Wolfscrag. A tower above the pounding surf of the North Sea (always seemingly ready to collapse into the yearning waves below), in the Lammermoor Hills of the southeast part of the country. Chance can complicate situations, Edgar hunting on his small estate, saves the life of Sir William, his neighbor, and his pretty daughter Lucy, from an angry, wild bull. Why ? Family honor maybe, but that question is never answered clearly, except the fragile, meek Lucy, is fascinated by the handsome stranger, and he also feels warmth towards the alluring lady . His sworn enemy's daughter, the former Lord Ravenswood, his father had lost that title , supporting the losers, during the Glorious Revolution, would not understand either, if he were still alive. Edgar finds out from friendly, grateful, Sir William, that the deceased, had borrowed many thousands of pounds sterling, and was unable to repay him. The almost Gothic romance between Lucy and Edgar, is mostly in secret walks, (Lady Ashton, the mother, despises poor Edgar) outside the homes of the rivals, by an antiquated fountain, the site of their first inauspicious meeting. They visited blind, old, Alice, in her tiny decrepit, as much as she is, hovel, on Lucy's father's land. The woman had for many years been a valuable servant of Lord Ravenswood's, but Alice opposes the marriage between the happy couple... she predicts disaster in the future (uneducated people have accused her, of being a witch). When the old woman dies , Edgar sees her apparition , and is very shaken. Witches, unknown things felt, or thought seen in the woods, rumors of the supernatural are spoken in the nearby village of Wolfshope ( but this is the age of the believers, in evil spirits). Lady Ashton makes arraignments in Ravenswood Castle, Edgar's former home for a more worthy husband for her young daughter, wealthy but coarse, Francis, Laird of Bucklaw. Sir William is afraid of his dominating wife and the engagement is announced, while Edgar is attending business for his rich, influential relative the Marquis, who is trying to get his land back, on the continent. Lucy has written many letters to him, as he has too, but her cruel mother has not let them pass . Will Edgar come back before it is too late?...A popular Opera, was made from this novel. One of Scott's best books....based loosely on historical events.