This was my first Sir Walter Scott novel, and it won’t be my last. I have wanted to read this book for a while. Charlotte Mason, whose educational philosophy I follow in homeschooling my children, read Scott every night before bed. She thought he was essential reading. On the back of my copy there is a quote from Jane Austen, “Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones. . .I do not like him, and do not mean to like Waverly if I can help it—but I fear I must.” With those two recommendations from people whose taste I feel I can trust, I set the goal to read four Sir Walter Scott novels in 2021.

I’ll be honest, this book was difficult—especially at the start. The language is not what we moderns are used to. It was long-winded, and highly descriptive (there were not films or photographs to show us what Scott wanted us to see). Whenever a highlander spoke in his thick Scottish brogue I had to really slow down and put my mind through some mental gymnastics to make sense of it all. I had to go back to read passages over again because my mind would wander. While reading this, I was also reading Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens, and I sometimes breathed a sigh of relief that I could turn to his “easy” book next. In a phrase, it was not a page turner. But. . .

I read a quote from musician Wynton Marsalis the other day: “The passage of time tends to quietly erode meaning and enthusiasm.” It made me think about this book. It is an old book. It is not written in the way that we write books today. Some of the nuances of this book are lost to history and an ever changing world that leaves customs and knowledge behind as new customs and knowledge are formed. But that doesn’t mean that it is without value. Nor does it mean that the book must necessarily be boring, or a slog, or worst of all, not even worth considering anymore. In fact, I think it’s quite the contrary. I think there is so much meaning to be had in reading an old book such as this. Specific to Wavery, it will help us know that we are not the only ones who do really boneheaded things without thinking. It helps us know that sometimes the deficiency of our upbringing might contribute to our poor decision making. It helps us to see that there can be forgiveness and redemption, even when we break the societal norms that surround us. It lets us know that it’s human to feel conflicted and confused and to be swept along by a strong tide. But it also teaches us that we can both embrace what what was good about our past, and also learn from our mistakes and use those lessons to set ourselves upon a better path. It also lets us know that we are expected to do none of these things alone; that the people who love us will help us, even when we are undeserving. And all of this was done without being preachy or moralistic. It’s just what is in the story.

Maybe you’re looking for a book that will require some mental gymnastics. Maybe your brain could use a break from the inanities of Facebook and Twitter and Tik Tok and Youtube in favor of a work of art that requires something from you. Maybe you’re just willing to trust Jane Austen’s opinion. Maybe you think it would be cool to read the world’s first historical fiction novel. Maybe, if this is you, then just maybe, Waverly might be for you, too.

This was Scott's first foray into what has since been dubbed "historical fiction," and for his time period he chose the Jacobite rebellion of the 1740s, though the history here is a backdrop and not the main focus. Many well-drawn characters, as well as noble ideals.

Historia powieści historycznej. Gdyby Scott się nie czołgał to później Sienkiewicz nie mógłby biec. Nie zmienia to faktu, że książka ciężko radzi sobie z próbą czasu. Akcja napędza się niesamowicie powoli, jest przewidywalna a większość postaci (oraz ewolucja relacji między nimi) nijaka. Na plus z pewnością język i elementy poetyckie w dziele. Największą zaletą jest świetnie zobrazowany szkocki folklor oraz może niezbyt pociągająco, ale jednak wiernie oddany wizerunk wielkiej polityki i wojny o władzę. Powieść nie dla każdego, bo długa i nużąca. Polecam więc osobom zainteresowanym historią literatury, w szczególności rozwojem powieści historycznej oraz tym zainteresowanym Szkocją i zwyczajami północy Brytanii.

Waverley by Sir Walter Scott first appeared in 1814, and it was the prolific author's 14th published work.

The subtitle of the novel is 'Tis Sixty Years Since'. because he writes of events of around 1745, basing his fictional drama around the historical battles between England and Scotland that were the Jacobite rebellion.

Edward Waverley is a young Englishman, a gentleman with a closer relationship to his uncle than his father, who takes a commission in the English army, and while on leave he travels to Scotland to make acquaintance with family friends.

There he becomes involved with a number of influential Scottish figures, including the Baron of Bradwardine, whose daughter, Rose, Waverley finds particularly bonnie.

He also becomes acquainted with, and ultimately develops a very strong relationship with a Scottish Highland chieftain, and a supporter of the Prince claimant to the English throne, Fergus Vich Ian McIvor. Waverley is also attracted to his forthright daughter, Flora, but, although she likes and respects Edward, she makes it clear she will never be his wife.

Waverley becomes enmeshed with the Scottish cause and the push southwards by troops to meet the English army in battles, but the Scots are defeated and retreat northward in disarray.

Waverley becomes a man wanted on charges of high treason in England, but he is ultimately restored to good graces and marries his first love, Rose Bradwardine.

This is a lengthy , relatively complex novel, and Scott's prose is dense and difficult to penetrate at times. His sentences are often long and complex, which doesn't aid comprehension or narrative flow.

Combined with extensive passages written in Scottish brogue and Gaelic dialect, with is mostly incomprehensible for the average English speaker, the novel becomes, in the modern context, much less enjoyable than it might have been.

Waverley, the novel, and Sir Walter Scott himself, were very popular in their day, and Scott is certainly a national hero, but his novels don't seem to work so well these days.

Of the three Scott novels i have read, Ivanhoe is the best, in my opinion, but Waverley ranks ahead of Rob Roy.

Scott's first novel, came out around 1812 I think, the first of the Waverley Novels. Caused a sensation at the time, young girls fainting, everybody grabbing the next instalment, author's identity concealed, etc etc. Can't imagine it happening now over a book. Gripping story, drenched in historical atmosphere. Better spend a few hours with Scott than waste them on some rubbish like Avatar. My 3D glasses kept sliding off, but fortunately the seats were comfortable so I could get a kip.

I particularly like Scott's introduction to the 1829 edition in which he gives "some account of the incidents on which the Novel of Waverley is founded. . . the mutual protection afforded by Waverley and Talbot to each other." The real life counterparts are Alexander Steward of Invernahyle and Colonel Whitefoord, an Ayrshire gentleman. p.286-7

"I will not slip my dog before the game's a-foot." (Now I understand; Sherlock was using hunting terminology.) p. 132

"Ah! if you Saxon Duinhe-wassal (English gentleman) saw but the chief himself with his tail on!. . .that is, with all his usual followers, when he visits those of the same rank. There is. . .his hanchman, or right-hand man, then his bhaird, or poet; then his bladier, or orator, to make harangues to the great folks whom he visits; then his gilly-more, or armour-bearer, to carry his sword, and target, and his gun; then his gilly-casflue, who carries him on his back through the sikes and brooks; then his gilly-comstraine, to lead his horse by the bridle in steep and difficult paths; then his gillie-trusharnish,, to carry his Knap-sack; and the piper and the piper's man, and it may be a dozen young lads beside, that have no business, but are just boys of the belt to follow the laird, and do his honour's bidding." p. 75-6.

"...a kinsman is part of a man's body, but a foster-brother is a piece of his heart." p. 112

Read slowly over two months because that's the only way I know to tackle a Scott novel. They are so very slow until the moment when they suddenly are gripping and well worth the long slog. Not to say that the slog is tedious--Scott's writing is striking and I always learn a few new words and appreciate many phrases. I loved reading through the old AmblesideOnline forum discussion and tacking on my comments.

One of my favorite books of all-time. Incredibly sensitive and insightful handling of perspectives from the two main competing viewpoints. Simply masterful.

Recommend to all who would become an author.

From the get-go I wasn't a fan of the titular character. I found him to be quite insufferable and Scott to be a bit of a git when it comes to narration. He loves to hear himself talk (or narrate, as it were) and it it painfully obvious that this is so. The novel seemed to drag on and on, with such a seemingly abrupt neat-and-tidy ending that it's almost out of left-field. It may be one of the earliest Buildung-roman and historical novels, but I don't fancy I shall ever be able to hear the word "Waverley" and not compulsively cringe.

This is the first in the Waverley series by Sir Walter Scott. This book was a bit of a review of history for me, but I really enjoyed being planted in Scotland before Culloden. It starts just before the events of 1745, and after it, completely skipping the actual events of the Battle of Culloden, and afterwards hearing it from the Scottish accounts. The book is told from the perspective of another Sassesnach (English). It was a rather action packed story of the characters that made up the Scottish highlands at that time, and it was fun to read. I did listen as I read along with the book, and that helped out quite a bit with the accents, and I didn't get bogged down with them and was able to keep going and grasp what was being said much better than reading it on my own.

The events and the life stories of the people were very similar to what occurs in the Outlander series by Gabaldon. My first journey to this time and place. I can't help suppose that she had read these prior to writing the Outlander books, there is quite a bit of similarity, if not then she is spot on with the atmosphere of the time. Also, Charlotte Mason is said to have read these every night before bed. I can see why. I can also see aspects of what her philosophy within these books and it makes this book sweeter to me. I am looking forward to continuing in the series.

I really, really liked this book. First, I love all things Scotland. Second, it has been billed as the first historical novel. What could possibly be better? Granted, in order to appreciate the book, it helps to do a quick read on the Jacobite uprising of 1715, as well as the uprising of 1745. The narrator I was listening to was really good as well. He has the Scottish brogue down. (i.e. He was as hard to understand at times as the people I encountered in Scotland.) :) I have never been one who has liked poetry, but in this book, with this narrator, I found myself very moved by the poetic parts. It makes me look forward to Rob Roy and Ivanhoe.

I thought Jane Austen's comment about this book was very entertaining. "Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones. It is not fair. He has Fame and Profit enough as a Poet, and should not be taking the bread out of other people's mouths. I do not like him, and do not mean to like Waverley if I can help it but fear I must."

Not my favorite book and it is long, however, I did enjoy the storyline. There’s lots of Latin and French and Gaelic conversation that I didn’t obviously understand. So, I enjoyed the story overall, but would not necessarily recommend just everyone. It reminds me in a way to Kidnapped by Robert Lewis Stevenson. It’s just a more drawn out story with a love story mixed in.