Ivanhoe (1819)

Daring! Intrigue! Damsels in distress! And yet it felt two-dimensional and slow. I valued pieces of the book as historical insight, but found that it lacked entertainment value. ( )

The constant antisemitism was waaay too much for me. ( )

Wilfred of Ivanhoe is a secondary character in his titular novel, which does more to provide a basis for the modern Robin Hood myth than anything else. It is slow to start (the setup drags on for what seems like ever), but once the action begins, this is a cracking good read. There are several storylines which split off and weave their way back together by the end of the narrative.

It was definitely enraging to read Rebecca's storyline, as she's basically kidnapped against her will and taken to a priory, where she's then tried as a sorceress for "tempting" the man who kidnapped her. Rage-inducing does not even begin to cover it! At least Rebecca had some backbone and continually threw off the Templar's advances. She'd rather die than go anywhere willingly with him. Go Rebecca!

You could only class this as a (small-r) romance if you squint reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally hard at the penultimate chapters. Otherwise, this is more about chivalry and courtly devotion than anything else. Read it for the adventure and to learn more about Robin Hood, not because you're looking for the star-crossed lovers promised in the book blurb. ( )

Leather-bound edition badly worn and repaired by me. Wonderful classic story of romance and adventure. ( )

In some ways this is a hard read 'Children's Literature': In my childhood the required standard of English was such that this book's text was the reading level for junior school, I suspect now the content would challenge many at Secondary education: Nevertheless, a really great Historical 'Romance' story set in 12th Century England by one of Britain's foremost 19th century storytellers. Scott conjures up a gallant knight, Ivanhoe battling for his honour and the virtue of lovely Jewess, Rowena & Isaac, her father all occurring within the national struggle for power between assumed 'good' King Richard I & assumed 'baddie' brother, Prince John.
A must read in any serious collection of the evolution of English Literature.
There is within the text a substantial 'racist' & 'bigoted' element that fits well with the era in which it is set and offers an opportunity for the adults in the house to raise those topics with any off-spring. ( )