Ivanhoe (1819)

Excellent story from the Age of Chivalry. ( )

I understand why this is such an important work. However, it is not for me. Struggled through it and am glad to check it off my list, BUT am also glad to know where all of these stories and cliche's come from! NOW, I shall SALLY FORTH from hence, never to return! And yes, I do mean -- in a sudden, energetic AND violent manner. ( )

Ivanhoe is set in Britain in the 12th Century, an age when the Saxons of England and the Normans who came with William the Conqueror had not quite been assimilated into one race yet. In addition, the Crusaders were still straggling back home from the Middle East. The prejudice against Jews in Britain also played a part in the story. Throughout the book, gallant knights fight each other both in tournaments and in all out battles between Saxon and Norman neighbors. Characters you may recognize include King Richard the Lion Hearted, Robin of Locksley (later known as Robin Hood) and his Merry Men, and of course, the brave knight, Wilfred of Ivanhoe.

It took a little while to get used to the language, but I enjoyed this book. It’s interesting to read the story that so many other stories were affected by. The plot and action are by far the strongest parts of the book. The only problems I had with the book were that the descriptions of every new character and place were just too long; however this becomes less of a problem after the first quarter of the book. I also think the story could have flowed a little smoother in places. When Scott wanted to follow two events that were occurring simultaneously, he jumped from one to the other so abruptly that it was a bit confusing. Overall though, these kinds of stories of the Middle Ages are just fun to experience. ( )

Set in England in the reign of Richard the Lion Heart and the crusades Ivanhoe closely resembles the legends of Robin Hood.

The native Saxons hate the Norman invaders and vice versa but everyone hate the Jews more.

A novel of chivalry of daring do and adventure, entertaining.

Billed as the first historical novel this is well worth reading. ( )

I bought this book as part of the TAB books program at my school in the early 1960s. Some people think that Rebecca is based on Rebecca Gratz of Philadelphia (and connected to Gratz College), who did not marry the man she loved because he was not Jewish. For those of you who find her more interesting than Rowena, try Thackeray's Rebecca and Rowena for a more satisfying ending.