73. The Monastery

The Monastery
Sir Walter Scott
1820
Around 350 pages

First of all, thank you so much everyone for voting in the poll.  Your input really means a lot to me.  Jackasses.

Moving on, we have our third Scott novel on the list, The Monastery.  I loved Ivanhoe, I liked Rob Roy, and I hated this novel.  Scott really should have quit when he was ahead.

Half textbook, half melodrama, I can't really tell what kind of person would enjoy this novel.  I suppose historians would find the setting intriguing but the lame love story would no doubt get on their nerves.  It certainly got on mine.

This the story of two brothers who end up falling for the same girl during the Scottish Reformation.  Amazingly enough, it was actually more dull than it sounds.  Scott has a very distinct writing style that makes it easy to zone out.

Overall, just a huge snore; Scott is getting worse and worse in my book.  Hopefully, this is the last we see of him.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

One of Scott's Tales of Bendictine sources.  I know that is not even slightly interesting but I did not have a lot to go with on this one.

72. Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe
Sir Walter Scott
1820
Around 530 pages

All right, now I am really running out of time for these posts.  Damn Jane Austen personality quiz that got me off track (by the way I am an Elizabeth).

Ivanhoe is a romanticized version of Robin Hood.  Evidently, Sir Walter Scott was really obsessed with this guy, since this is what Rob Roy was about as well.  Anyway, be prepared for massive anti Semitism.  At least, on the part of the characters.  There is one "Jewess" named Rebecca who is actually portrayed in a positive light.

Sorry to make this so short as I really did enjoy this book.  It is very romantic and adventurous.  The bow and arrow scene is one of the most exciting scenes in literature.  Check it out!

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Our idea of Robin Hood nowadays (dashing, heroic, etc.) is mostly due to Ivanhoe.

Historically accurate, for the most part.

67. Rob Roy

Rob Roy
Sir Walter Scott
1817
Around 500 pages

This has to be a really quick review as I have lots to do.  The only reason I fit this in today was because I completely forget what day this book is due back at the library so thought I should finish this asap.

This, contrary to what the title might lead you to believe, is the story of Frank Osbaldistone.  I guess that nightmare of a last name is not as intriguing.  The novel starts with Frank having a disagreement with his father and consequently being sent to his uncle's.  There, he falls in love with Diana Vernon but must leave when the dastardly Rashleigh steals important documents.  Oh and somewhere in there Rob Roy makes an appearance.

I love adventure stories and this really is a great one.  Diana is very unlike the usual heroine in these stories; she is extremely intelligent and frank.  Of course, she is also basically a slave to her father but let's focus on the good.

Additionally, this novel was quite funny, particularly when Osbaldistone gets hammered and makes an ass out of himself.

And, of course, like all Scott novels, this book is historically relevant as it depicts the Jacobite Rising.  All in all, a great novel, with Rob Roy being the least interesting part of it.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

One of Robert Louis Stevenson's favorite novels.