De roman Ivanhoe (1819) van Walter Scott is niet het beste boek uit de 19de eeuw. Geen punt. Minder dan beste boeken zijn vaak óók interessant. Deze roman over de 12de-eeuwse ridder Ivanhoe is wel een intrigerend geval, net als Scott zelf. Het boek werd anoniem gepubliceerd, om te beginnen. Walter Scott was al beroemd als dichter, en wilde zijn reputatie niet in de waagschaal stellen toen hij in 1814 (voor het geld) een roman schreef, Waverly. Hij liet zelfs het hele manuscript van deze (en volgende romans) kopiëren voordat het naar de uitgever ging, opdat men zijn handschrift niet zou herkennen.

Onterfd door zijn vader keert Ivanhoe, die op kruistocht is geweest, onder een schuilnaam terug in Engeland, waar de overwonnen Saksers zich verzetten tegen uitbuiting door de Normandische edelen. Hij behaalt een klinkende overwinning in een groot riddertoernooi en laat daarna zijn aanbeden jonkvrouw Rowena tot Koningin der Liefde en Schoonheid kronen. Zal hij haar uiteindelijk in zijn armen kunnen sluiten?Ander hoofdrollen zijn weggelegd voor koning Richard Leeuwenhart, Robin Hood, de aanvoerder van een bende vogelvrijen met het hart op de juiste plaats, en natuurlijk de beeldschone jodin Rebekka.

If you can deal with Scott’s flamboyant style and purple prose here is a story many girls and boys used to read of the days of yore

The book that accounts for most of the writer's reputation. In this he attempts to make a turn towards the past by writing a story that had as its model the medieval romance, as it would be written in the 12th or the 13th century. A story full of noble - and not so noble - knights, beautiful damsels - often in distress -, non-strict priests, witty servants, charming thieves, and much more of the character cast that one finds in this genre. This story is, of course, adventurous and exciting, excessive in some places, emotional and often funny, and revolves around brave deeds of nobles and commoners that try to defend their honour and the honour of the weak from the villains who have no moral reservations. The author is doing a great job in imitating the pompous style of these romances, using a pseudo-archaic language to render the language of the time.

These, of course, are the one side of this book. The author had, as I said, the medieval romance as a model when he was writing this book, but at the same time he did not seem to want to drift away from his personal style, so he created an ideal combination of this old genre with the historical novel of its time, preserving all the beauty and romance, adding realism and a critical look. So the story is full of nostalgia for a noble past, but at the same time the writer as a historian or in satirical mood criticises the conditions of life that prevailed at that time, the prejudices, especially those against the Jews, the injustice and the prevalence of the law of the strong, ending up even to question the concept of chivalry. In the context of this realism, there are many historical references that I imagine are part of the author's attempt to talk about things of his time. One of the main issues he deals is the conflict between the Saxons and their conquerors, the Normans, who had imposed a regime of violence and lawlessness. The writer, talks much about the effects of this division, the bitterness felt by the Saxons and their desire for revenge, but ends with the fact that in the end these two so different peoples eventually became one when equality and justice prevailed in their relationship. Of course, there are too many parallels with more periods of British history and it would be pointless to mention them in my brief review.

The result of all of these was, of course, the creation of a masterpiece that obviously its diachronicity and popularity over the years are better evidence of its value than my own positive opinion. A wonderful book that overflows with romance, offering us a beautiful story of bravery and heroism with a truly enjoyable narrative that takes us ideally into medieval England and passes messages to the reader that are precious in every place and every age.

Το βιβλίο στο οποίο οφείλεται το μεγαλύτερο μέρος της φήμης του συγγραφέα. Σε αυτό επιχειρεί να κάνει μία στροφή προς το παρελθόν γράφοντας μία ιστορία που είχε ως πρότυπο τα μεσαιωνικά ρομάντζα, όπως θα γράφονταν τον 12ο ή τον 13ο αιώνα. Μία ιστορία γεμάτη ευγενείς - και όχι τόσο ευγενείς - ιππότες, πανέμορφες - και πολλές φορές σε κίνδυνο - δεσποσύνες, ελάχιστα αυστηρούς ιερωμένους, πνευματώδεις υπηρέτες, γοητευτικούς κλέφτες και γενικότερα μεγάλο μέρος από το καστ των χαρακτήρων που συναντάει κανείς σε αυτό το είδος. Αυτή η ιστορία είναι φυσικά περιπετειώδης και συναρπαστική, υπερβολική σε κάποια σημεία, συναισθηματική και πολλές φορές αστεία και περιστρέφεται γύρω από τα κατορθώματα ευγενών και μη που προσπαθούν να υπερασπιστούν την τιμή τους και την τιμή των αδυνάτων από τους κακούς που δεν έχουν ηθικούς ενδοιασμούς. Ο συγγραφέας κάνει και πολύ καλή δουλειά στη μίμηση του πομπώδους ύφους αυτών των ρομάντζων, χρησιμοποιώντας μία ψευδο-αρχαϊκή γλώσσα για να αποδώσει τη γλώσσα της εποχής.

Αυτά, βέβαια, αποτελούν τη μία πλευρά αυτού του βιβλίου. Ο συγγραφέας είχε, όπως είπα, ως πρότυπο τα μεσαιωνικά ρομάντζα όταν έγραφε αυτό το βιβλίο, παράλληλα, όμως, φαίνεται ότι δεν ήθελε να ξεφύγει πολύ από το προσωπικό του ύφος, για αυτό δημιούργησε έναν ιδανικό συνδυασμό αυτού του παλιού του είδους με το ιστορικό μυθιστόρημα της εποχής του, διατηρώντας όλη την ομορφιά και το ρομαντισμό, προσθέτοντας ρεαλισμό και κριτική ματιά. Έτσι η ιστορία είναι γεμάτη από μία νοσταλγία για ένα ευγενές παρελθόν αλλά την ίδια ώρα ο συγγραφέας, πότε με το ύφος του ιστορικού, πότε με σατιρική διάθεση κάνει κριτική για τις συνθήκες ζωής που επικρατούσαν, για τις προκαταλήψεις, ειδικά αυτές εναντίον των Εβραίων, την αδικία και την επικράτηση του δίκιου του ισχυρού, καταλήγοντας να αμφισβητήσει ακόμα και την έννοια του ιπποτισμού. Στα πλαίσια αυτού του ρεαλισμού υπάρχουν πάρα πολλές ιστορικές αναφορές που φαντάζομαι ότι εντάσσονται σε μία προσπάθεια του συγγραφέα να μιλήσει για πράγματα της εποχής του. Ένα από τα κύρια θέματα με τα οποία ασχολείται είναι η διαμάχη ανάμεσα στους Σάξονες και τους κατακτητές τους, τους Νορμανδούς, που με το σκληρό καθεστώς που είχαν επιβάλει ένα καθεστώς βίας και ανομίας. Ο συγγραφέας πολύ για τα αποτελέσματα αυτού του διχασμού, για την πικρία που ένιωθαν οι Σάξονες και την επιθυμία τους για εκδίκηση, καταλήγει, όμως, στο γεγονός ότι στο τέλος αυτοί οι δύο τόσο διαφορετικοί λαοί μπόρεσαν στο τέλος να γίνουν ένας όταν επικράτησε η ισότητα και η δικαιοσύνη στη σχέση τους. Φυσικά υπάρχουν πάρα πολλοί παραλληλισμοί με περισσότερες περιόδους της βρετανικής ιστορίας και θα ήταν περιττό να τους αναφέρω στη σύντομη κριτική μου.

Η κατάληξη όλων αυτών ήταν φυσικά η δημιουργία ενός αριστουργήματος που προφανώς η διαχρονικότητα του και η δημοτικότητα του όλα αυτά τα χρόνια είναι καλύτερες αποδείξεις για την αξία του από την δική μου θετική γνώμη. Ένα υπέροχο βιβλίο που ξεχειλίζει από ρομαντισμό, προσφέροντας μας μία πανέμορφη ιστορία γενναιότητας και ηρωισμού με μία πραγματικά απολαυστική αφήγηση που μας μεταφέρει ιδανικά στη μεσαιωνική Αγγλία και περνάει μηνύματα στον αναγνώστη που είναι πολύτιμα σε κάθε τόπο και κάθε εποχή.

Put down "lame of thrones" and pick up a true epic. ok, that was a little strong this book is not for everyone and hard for modern audiences to appreciate. once Considered one of the greatest novels ever printed in English. It's influence on the culture of the English speaking world is monumental. I might be true that the influences might have surpassed the masterwork in entertainment. Lord of the rings, Robin Hood, Princess Bride I could go on. Robin Hood for one is very popular in modern entertainment. you mention Robin Hood people get excited, mention Ivanhoe most people make a face. Princess Bride is a very beloved adaptation or at least in style.

a Heroic Epic that includes Romance, Chivalry, Racism, sexism, cultural approbation, and intertwining of different cultures. I believe it has something for everyone a truly complete book. the Saxons vs. Normans dynamic might be obsolete with little genetic relatives today. but it reflect a common dynamic that has been played out by cultures all over the world. the pride of the Saxons is visceral and relatable. the fact that Walter Scott is bias to the Saxons is a bit of a turn off. he skews the historical facts a bit. the pacing is also dated and not what we have become accustom to in action adventure. but it's folly to me to call it boring. the worldbuilding is superb you really can experience medieval England. your emersion into that world is critical to enjoyment. if you have trouble with historical emersion stay clear. this is a classic which bring reading challenges but is fantastic if you approach it the right way. not sure why this book as lost it's critical shine. maybe we think we have learn all the social lesson we can from it. maybe those influenced by it surpassed it. maybe a little to historical fantastic regarded as historically accurate. maybe it's boring. all I know is Ivanhoe is the best book I read in 2019!

2024/14

Boring, tedious, plain, confusing, are just a few adjectives that would accurately describe this novel. To put it mildly, Ivanhoe has been my most disappointing reading experience in years, as a matter of fact, I can't remember another book at the moment that was even worse than this mess.

To begin with, it is wise to recognize one's mistakes. Mine was simple: believing that I was about to read an adventure novel, such as those written by Alexander Dumas, Jules Verne, Arthur Conan Doyle—The Lost World—H. G. Wells, and of course, Homer and his Odyssey. Little did I know that Ivanhoe wouldn't be an adventure classic by any means; rather, it is a historical book with lots of 'dialogue' that might remind you of a gathering with your pals, but where almost everyone is already drunk and starts saying nonsense. Actually, the entire book—around six hundred pages—might be divided into two sections: one, unnecessary descriptions where the author goes on and on about what each character is wearing, once and again, and again, what a random room or place looks like, food—I can't recollect how many times he mentioned it in the book, but eventually it became tiring and overwhelming—and so on, instead of depicting his characters and giving them particular roles and personality, or describing important events, facts, episodes that were important during that time, and two, monotonous conversations where you have no idea who is talking—every single character has exactly the same 'voice,' so to speak—and, most importantly, what they are talking about (for instance, the editor pointed out in the footnotes that the author came up with some characters' names, 'characters' that were not a part of the story to begin with). The constant repetition of things along with the sketchy dialogue were crucial elements that made my whole experience a nightmare.

Sometimes I thought I was in a scene from Hairspray—I mean no offense to such a sweet movie—as the characters start to sing completely out of the blue! Other times I got distracted a little—I was listening to the audiobook and following along with a copy—and as soon as I was back to the story I didn't have to bother to go back a few minutes or so, since the 'story' was still understandable. As a matter of fact, you could get rid of at least three hundred pages or more and the story wouldn't change at all. That reminds me that Scott loses focus quite a few times, and starts rambling about things that have barely anything to do with the plot.

There is more, don't worry. Towards the end of the book Scott is laughing at us, his readers, as he is doing the unthinkable fiction-wise: he writes something that doesn't make any sense, just because he can, maybe he wanted to finish the novel right away, I read he wrote it just because he needed the money from its sales as soon as possible, he needed it to purchase a commission in the army for his son, and his quill and ink allowed him to do so. I was laughing too, and not because I thought it was funny, but because it was enough. I had had enough of this piece of...literature.

My rating on a scale of 1 to 5:

Quality of writing [1.5/5]
Pace [0.5/5]
Plot development [1/5]
Characters [0.5/5]
Enjoyability [0.5/5]
Insightfulness [1/5]
Easy of reading [1.5/5]
Photos/Illustrations [N/A]

Total [6.5/7] = 0.92

5+ stars (7/10 hearts). I really, really love this book. The setting—England. The era—medieval. The time—Richard Cœur-de-Lion & Robin Hood. The historical accuracy in this book is amazing. The characters are wonderful. There is so much humour, so much beauty, so much wisdom, so much nobility, so much excitement. The plot shows the genius of the author. I love Rowena and Rebecca so much... and Brian. Oh, Brian. He was so, so very close...

A highly entertaining novel which, it cannot be stressed to much, is really NOT about Ivanhoe. Rather, Scott's heroine is a woman, the Jewish moneylender's daughter, Rebecca. Unlike his previous Waverley novels, for this one, Scott went back to the late 12th century, when the Third Crusade having drawn to a close, but Richard the Lionhearted as had his return delayed by being captured by Leopold of Austria. The conflict between Norman and Saxon lords has led to Wilfrid of Ivanhoe being disowned by his father for falling for Rowena, a descendant of the former Saxon powers in England. A mysterious palmer becomes involved in the struggles of different characters, and there is little doubt as to his true identity (spoiler avoided here, though I came close!) A tournament of jousting and archery, the nefarious activities of Prince John, the frolicking antics of Robin Hood and his men (whom supposedly got their start in English legend from this novel), and the eventual working out of the Ivanhoe-Rowena relation all make for a spirited read. But it is Scott's compassion for the healing, loving, faithful spirit of Rebecca which gives this story its major emotional uumph, a sympathy for the Jewish people matched only by Eliot in Daniel Deronda. In addition, later luminaries such as Carlyle and Ruskin attributed a re-awakening ofinterest in the medieval period to this writer and this work in particular. Truly excellent!

I can't believe I really finished this. The impetus was Febregency 2022, which is a new readathon hosted by some of my favorite Booktubers. I felt strangely compelled to pick this up while at the same time feeling very intimidated. I've never been one for knights and chivalry and Robin Hood and the Middle Ages, etc. I'm chuckling as I write that. It sounds odd to say I didn't care much about chivalry or such a well known character as Robin Hood, but there it is. Perhaps it says something about my education or about America's own history or the milieu in which I was raised.

My reading has tended much more towards the modern era with Jane Austen being my earliest literary love after a childhood love of books which tended to be filled with things like The Boxcar Children, The Babysitters' Club, and a sprinkling of classics like Narnia, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, Pippi Longstocking, The Borrowers, etc. Even as my reading has evolved in the 15 years of my adult life, I've tended towards the modern and have settled firmly into a deep and profound love of the British novel post 1840, but most especially in the years around the world wars when authors were grappling with intense suffering and social/class change. I'm sure it would pain some people to read that 'Plantagenet' first reminds of Trollope's Plantagenet Palliser and not the Kings of England bearing that name.

All that to say, dipping a toe in the world of Sir Walter Scott was a new venture for me, and I'm happy to say one that paid off. I enjoyed the novel so much more than I thought I would and was truly fascinated to read about England a generation or two after the Norman Conquest. I was constantly on Wikipedia looking up places and names and customs: Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Richard the Lionheart, Prince John, tournaments, York, Jews in the Middle Ages, Normans, Saxons, even the history of the development of the English language. This book is an education in itself for a novice like me. I had never thought of what the Norman conquest was actually like for those living in England who did not want to be conquered.

While there were parts of the book that felt long to me, especially in the middle, I found the first 300 pages and the last 100 to be incredibly exciting stuff. Several times my mouth was open in surprise and shock. Sir Walter Scott knows how to spin a good tale and how to evoke a period of history with remarkable liveliness. Scott's main characters are vivid and took shape in my mind as whole persons. I enjoyed knowing nothing about the plot because the shocking events really were just that. A big part of the plot is that certain characters' true selves are concealed and it was my favorite part of the novel. It added so much to the tension and excitement of the plot. My other favorite part of the novel is the character Rebecca who is a Jew. She is remarkable: brave, skilled, devout, wise, loyal. Scott seems to have a great affection for her because she's much more of an active character than Rowena. Oh, and I love the jester Wamba and his wise foolishness.

I'm not sure if this is a criticism or not, but Ivanhoe spends most of his time off the page, especially after the initial exciting event. It did feel odd to me, though I can see why Scott may have done that to make his few appearances all the more climactic.

All in all, a cracking good read, and I feel like it's opened up a new era of English history to me. Kudos Sir Walter!

One of my favorite novels in junior high. This began a life long affection for the work of Sir Walter Scott, even those whose language was difficult to read. I found the rewards to be worth the effort.

Here is a very good quote from the Goodreads description of the book: "The gripping narrative is structured by a series of conflicts: Saxon versus Norman, Christian versus Jew, men versus women, played out against Scott's unflinching moral realism."

Ivanhoe is one of Scott's best known and best loved works. Movies, TV programs, radio, etc have often been based on this novel of adventure and romance. There was even an anachronistic 1960's British TV series starring Roger Moore, the future Saint and James Bond. It is currently available on Amazon and free with Amazon Prime.

Един от най-добрите рицарски романи, който съм чел - редом ми е с "Черната стрела" на Стивънсън и "Кръстоносци" на Сенкевич!

Audio #91

This book! It stirred up a lot of emotions from absolute disgust to excitement. At times it was very hard to read but once I started I did not want to put it down. It also gave my family and me a lot to talk about!