Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor by R.D. BlackmoreMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
When we first read this great romantic tale in school, some 60plus years ago, I had no idea that it was about the 1600s after the English Civil War. I just remember how much I had enjoyed the adventures of John (or Jan) Ridd in his feud with the evil Doones family. I knew that he had fallen in love with Lorna Doone as a young boy, and that much of the fighting was about her, and against Carver Doone.
There is much to enjoy in the story with elements of 17th century farming as well as hints about politics and royal patronage. Farmer Ridd becomes a knight of the realm while his highwayman uncle, Tom Faggus, receives a pardon for his past crimes. Some of the descriptions of the Devon and Somerset countryside are charming, and I particularly found the dialectal language of some characters entertaining and informative.
Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will love this book. I have had a very nice edition, published by Readers Digest, for several years awaiting my attention. I am so glad that I finally got around to reading it and the details about its author’s life. It was a real pleasure. Recommended.
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