The storyline was okay.

I think I would have enjoyed it more had it been written in prose.

I didn't know until recently that the story was published in the early 1800's. That said, I thought Scott did a fine job of keeping an ancient feel to the story.

The plot had its moments, but it didn't quite grip me as tightly as I would have liked. Maybe it was because of the way it was presented.

However, I have to give credit to Scott for his efforts. The setting and the atmosphere he created were truly remarkable.

It was as if he had transported me back in time to that era.

Despite my initial reservations, I found myself getting more and more immersed in the story as I read on.

The characters were well-developed and had their own unique personalities.

I could easily picture them in my mind's eye.

Overall, while the storyline may not have been perfect, I still think it was a worthwhile read.

It gave me a glimpse into a different time and place, and for that, I am grateful.

Technically, this work would have gone on my DNF list. However, I dedicated a significant amount of time to it and desired to include it in a book that I had a good attempt at. Initially, it began extremely well. The story was engaging and captivating in the beginning. But unfortunately, around canto IV, I started to lose interest in the plot. The writing itself was beautiful, and as another reviewer has mentioned here, the description was truly the best part of this piece. I do appreciate the quality of the writing, but it simply didn't manage to hook me. As I continued to plod through it, it started to feel like a chore. Consequently, I procrastinated on it a great deal. Nevertheless, I may consider giving it another try in a few years' time. Maybe then, with a different mindset or perspective, I will be able to fully appreciate and engage with the story.

I'm an absolute sucker for both Scott and long-form poetry. There's just something about them that always manages to draw me in and hold my attention. However, this particular work was still just okay for me.

Scott's diction and vocabulary are truly exquisite. The way he chooses his words and phrases is nothing short of masterful, adding a layer of depth and beauty to the poem. But unfortunately, the story itself wasn't really my cup of tea. It just didn't seem to resonate with me on a deeper level.

Another issue I had was the plethora of characters named "James". There were so many of them that it made some of the plot quite confusing for me. I found myself having to constantly stop and try to figure out which "James" was being referred to at any given moment. This really detracted from my overall enjoyment of the poem.

Overall, while I appreciate the skill and artistry that went into this work, it just wasn't quite the right fit for me.

Fitz James is truly an honorable individual. However, he seems to be overly smitten with fair maidens, perhaps to a fault.

His loyalty to the court and his eagerness to interact with the highlanders are indeed praiseworthy. It is interesting to consider how accurate it is, from a historical perspective, to assume that they mingled.

But one question remains: where in the world is Malcolm? This mystery adds an element of intrigue to the story. We can only wonder what adventures he might be having or what role he will play in the unfolding events.

Overall, the character of Fitz James and the situation he finds himself in make for a captivating narrative that leaves us eager to learn more.

The Regency era equivalent of a western, this work is truly a remarkable piece. It is a narrative poem with rhymes that are easy to appreciate and have withstood the test of time.

The story features a great fight scene between Roderick and FitzJames, which is both exciting and engaging. There are also many beautiful songs that add to the overall charm of the piece.

In addition, there is a memorable tragic area involving a mad woman in the mountains, which adds an element of mystery and drama.

However, the main problem lies with Malcolm, Ellen's love interest. He is not as cool as either of the other boyfriend possibilities, which can be a bit of a letdown. But aside from that, this is a delightful escape into the past that is sure to please readers.

Overall, this work is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, narrative poetry, or just a good story. It has all the elements of a classic and is sure to be enjoyed for years to come.

Myths and legends are a treasure trove of human imagination, filled with captivating tales that have been passed down through generations.

One such story is truly a fantastic one. It takes us on a journey to a world where gods and goddesses reign supreme, and heroes and heroines embark on epic quests.

In this story, we encounter a young hero who discovers a hidden power within himself. With this newfound strength, he sets out to face numerous challenges and overcome great obstacles.

Along the way, he meets a variety of characters, some friendly and some not so much. But through it all, he never loses sight of his goal.

As the story unfolds, we are treated to a series of thrilling adventures and heart-pounding moments. We witness the hero's growth and transformation, and we cheer him on as he battles against the forces of evil.

In the end, the hero emerges victorious, having achieved his goal and become a true legend. This story is a testament to the power of human imagination and the enduring appeal of myths and legends.

It reminds us that anything is possible if we believe in ourselves and have the courage to pursue our dreams.

Lovely indeed!

The family line of Sir Walter Scott is not only fascinating in itself but also holds a certain charm that draws one in. The poem related to it is truly remarkable as it is so powerfully evocative of Spring. It has the ability to transport the reader into a world filled with the beauty and vitality of the season. One can easily envision it becoming an annual tradition to read this poem, as it has the potential to bring a sense of renewal and joy year after year. The story behind it is engaging and well-told, and the writing is simply gorgeous. It is a piece of literature that deserves to be cherished and passed down through the generations.

Oh, golly. What a tedious poem this is!

It might potentially make a rather good movie, but as a poem, it leaves much to be desired. I'm truly delighted that it has managed to please so many people throughout the centuries. However, for me, this was just a real slog of a poem. Perhaps my disappointment that it's not an Arthurian romance is influencing my reaction - I'll admit that. It has nothing to do with the keeper of Excalibur, and I was really hoping it would, given that I liked The Talisman and Ivanhoe so much. I probably adored it in my youth. But this one, pah! It is clearly a product of its specific time and place - and I don't hold that against it, mind you. Sir Scott surely has every right to sing the praises of historic Scotland, its clans, trials, and squabbles.

But as a poem, it's rather unclear as to what its central theme is. And as a reader, that lack of certainty is not at all pleasing. Is Roderick the villain? Or just a villain? This poem can't seem to make up its mind.

Even the so-called "climactic duel" between the hero (if that's what he is) and the villain (again, if that's what he is) is hidden away in a section about other things and is immediately followed by another character having a day at the fair. The middle section is a tediously long rallying of troops, with many of them being pulled away from scenes (such as a wedding ceremony and a paternal funeral) where we would think "nah, man, stay where you are" - but I guess honor is honor. And yet, the battle doesn't even take place! Or if it does, it's cut short and happens off-stage, and we only hear about it through a bard who may or may not be fabricating the whole thing.

There are just too many nonsensical things that bog this poem down. The king is in disguise, falls in love, stops the villain, and then somehow has enough time to sneak back into his castle, run the fair, not recognize people he was angry with but suddenly isn't anymore, and... what on earth is going on? And the title character is in love with some guy who we see for a grand total of about 10 lines in the entire poem. And feuds magically end, and blah blah blah.

Come on, Sir Scott. You've done much better than this.

I went into this one without any good expectations. Boy, was I wrong?!

I recently read Ivanhoe and didn't like it. So, I decided to give Scott another chance and chose this one. I was prepared for a boring story, and I didn't even know it was going to be a poem.

What a delight it turned out to be! As I started reading, I thought, "Great, I'm going to love rating this 1 star with all the boring stuff happening." But Scott did it. The poetry in this one is a work of art. I loved almost all of it. The way he describes a scene and how everything fits together, from the rhymes to the scenery he makes you envision and pretty much every interaction between characters. He's basically picking you up and throwing you into the middle of the scene as it unfolds.

Maybe some parts here and there weren't as good as the beginning, which I adored (the first 2 cantos), and the end wasn't that exciting. But I would definitely recommend it if you're into poetry, especially this old-fashioned kind.

This has definitely made me want to read another book by the author. I also think I'd love to read a bunch of already established stories from other authors, whether they're fantasy or not, as poems written by Walter Scott.

I found out he's written a couple more poems, and I'm definitely going to check those out too.

Good stuff! It's really fun to read.

I had to look up a few things while reading. For example, who is Dunledin? Oh, it turns out he's a mountain.

This article has such an interesting and engaging content that it would be a lot of fun to read out loud to somebody.

I can just imagine the expressions on their faces as they listen to the story.

I'm sure that I'll read this again someday.

It's one of those articles that leaves a lasting impression and makes you want to come back to it for more enjoyment.

Overall, it's a great piece of writing that I highly recommend.

I'm not entirely sure if I like rhymed poetry.

Sometimes, it feels a bit too structured and rigid for my taste. However, I have to admit that there are some truly beautiful parts within it.

The way words can be arranged to create a harmonious rhythm and a pleasing sound is quite remarkable.

It's like a musical composition for the ears.

And when it comes to Scotland, it is always appreciated.

The country has a unique charm and a rich history that is captivating.

From its rugged landscapes to its vibrant cities, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Whether it's exploring the ancient castles or sampling the local cuisine, Scotland never fails to leave a lasting impression.

So, while my feelings towards rhymed poetry may be a bit mixed, I can't deny the beauty it holds and the allure of Scotland.

This was supposed to be the true story of the loves of Sir Walter Scott.

He had a rather unhappy life when he gave his heart to a woman who failed to appreciate his poetic spirit or the inspiration he had in his life.

However, he eventually ended up with Charlotte Carpenter, and he came to love her as much as he did Wilhelmina.

In Charlotte, he found the companion that he had always desired.

I really liked this book as it was not only informative but also engaging.

When he walks along Hadirans Wall, he teaches Miss Carpenter about all of the rich history of Scotland.

The descriptions of their walks and the sharing of knowledge add a charming aspect to the story.

It gives the reader a better understanding of both the characters and the background of Scotland, making it a truly enjoyable read.