Quentin Durward

By Sir Walter Scott

Book Overview

Venture back to the tumultuous Middle Ages with Sir Walter Scott's "Quentin Durward," a thrilling historical fiction set against the backdrop of France and Scotland. Immerse yourself in a world of adventure, intrigue, and clashing cultures, meticulously brought to life by the master storyteller.

This meticulously prepared edition allows you to experience the sweep of history firsthand. Explore themes of loyalty, courage, and the enduring spirit of individuals caught in extraordinary circumstances. "Quentin Durward" offers a glimpse into a bygone era, captivating readers with its vivid descriptions and timeless narrative.

Discover the enduring appeal of this classic work of literary fiction, where action and adventure intertwine with the rich tapestry of historical events. Experience the power of Scott's storytelling in this meticulously reproduced edition, perfect for enthusiasts of historical fiction and lovers of classic literature.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1022914847
• ISBN13: 9781022914841
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 406 Pages
• Weight: 1.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.2"

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.