Quentin Durward: Historical Novel

By Sir Walter Scott

Book Overview

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of 15th-century France, Walter Scott's "Quentin Durward" intricately weaves themes of loyalty, romance, and adventure. The narrative follows the youthful Scotsman Quentin, who ventures into the French court embroiled in political tension, seeking both fortune and love. Scott's prose marries vivid descriptions with engaging dialogue, crafting a rich tapestry of historical detail that showcases his ability to blend fiction with real events. The novel embodies the essence of the historical novel genre, reflecting the Romantic revival of interest in medieval history that characterized Scott's oeuvre. Walter Scott, a pivotal figure in shaping historical fiction, drew on his deep Scottish heritage and fascination with chivalric tales as he penned "Quentin Durward." His experiences in examining Scottish history and the English landscape allowed him to explore themes of nationalism and identity, which permeate this work. Scott's background as a poet, lawyer, and scholar further enriched his literary perspective, enabling him to infuse his stories with both depth and authenticity. Readers looking for a captivating exploration of loyalty and the human spirit will find "Quentin Durward" an essential addition to their literary collections. Scott's masterful storytelling and character development invite readers to immerse themselves in a world where history and myth converge, making the travails of Quentin Durward resonate with timeless relevance.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 8027330319
• ISBN13: 9788027330317
• Release Date: December 2018
• Publisher: E-Artnow
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 1 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 5

Customer Reviews

Timeless Classic for Generations

When I was 13, I asked my father what his favorite book was when he was my age. He told me "Quentin Durward". The next time we were in a bookstore together, I found a paperback copy of this book and bought it...for 75 cents! When I read this book, I entered the medieval world of knights, kings, lovely medieval ladies, and chivalry. I later learned that Quentin Durward is about fighting to preserve moral order in a changing world. What book could be more relevant today? I just bought this book for my 13 year old son, and he has it on his list of books to read this summer. The generations in my family will be connected by this book and the themes it addresses. p.s. When going through my father's library, I discovered the old copy my father had read. It had his father's name written on the first page, and his grandmother's name on a bookplate inside the front cover!

Somewhat Borgesian

This is the first Sir Walter Scott novel I've read since 1975. I was struck by how modern -- or even post-modern -- its structure is. For one thing, the novel is a narrated by fictitious narrator named Sir Walter Scott, honest, who stumbles into a private library salvaged from pre-revolutionary France; for another, its annotations reference sources which may or may not exist, but which the fictitious narrator claims he read in the private library referenced above. Further, with the exception of the heroine (dish-water dull, I agree), the characters all behave as modern people would. Yet, as far as I can tell, Borges never wrote about Sir Walter Scott. Go figure.

One of Scott's finest

I read this novel forty years ago in the Modern Library edition and I am amazed that it is out of print except in expensive library editions. It is one of Scott's finest novels, full of action and with a fine portrait of King Louis. It was the first novel to use a gypsy as a character. It was made into a movie in the 1950's. Scott of one of the most neglected geniuses in literature and the world is the poorer for it.

Excellent historical fiction with rich characterization

Quentin Durward is good reading, right up (almost) to the very end. It's excellent historical fiction with very rich characterization, especially of Louis XI. Excellent, that is, except for the women. While two of the minor female characters are interesting, the female lead is as dull as dishwater. My real complaint is that the ending is bungled. After the tremendous buildup full of exciting action and convincing sets, you turn the page and...it's just over! Misses the crecendo and the denoument. Still, I enjoyed it, and recommend checking it out of the library, as I did.