From the Bookshelf of The Dusty Bookshelf…

Lorna Doone

R.D. Blackmore

Finish date: July 20, 2012

Discussion: General

Why we're reading this: Somebody must like it. It has never been out of print since first published several hundred years ago. I …more
[close] Somebody must like it. It has never been out of print since first published several hundred years ago. I liked it too. Check out my review.

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May 26, 2012 Dan Chance rated it really liked it

Shelves: hist-fic

7/2 - cont'd John knew he was heading into the valley of the Doones but he keeps adventuring until he tops a hill and finds a beautiful 8 year old girl who notices how hurt he is from walking barefoot over sharp stones in frigid water. They are both smitten but part as she is sought by men from the Doones who would have killed him if caught.

The language is still difficult. I had to look up "lorch". Goldfish sized to 1 ft long scavengers prized for acquariums today.

7/12 oops. hit the ENTER key an 7/2 - cont'd John knew he was heading into the valley of the Doones but he keeps adventuring until he tops a hill and finds a beautiful 8 year old girl who notices how hurt he is from walking barefoot over sharp stones in frigid water. They are both smitten but part as she is sought by men from the Doones who would have killed him if caught.

The language is still difficult. I had to look up "lorch". Goldfish sized to 1 ft long scavengers prized for acquariums today.

7/12 oops. hit the ENTER key and didn't get to add a short comment. Well as Blackmore would say, let that pass. John Ridd has had quite a busy life these past 100 pages. 'been sought by an emissary of the King, 'traveled all the way to London, ' spoken with the Chief Justice, ' walked home to a wonderful homecoming, and learned at last the Lorna loves him but will not accept his gifts for the moment as a kindness to him.

7/16 Tom Faggus showed up for a visit and showed way too much interest in Lorna's diamond necklace for John Ridd's comfort but it remained safe. Then Jeremy Squires, the King's emissary, came for supper having just escaped three Doones. It is a wonderful tale!

7/20 John Ridd has gotten so close to the battle that he barely escapes being hanged by the intervention of Jeremy Squires who is then duty bound to take him into 'custody' and to London, when John finds Lorna in the very intimate circle of the Queen's friends. John saves Lorna's uncle/custodian's life and money and captures 2 thieves long sought by the king, gets knighted for his brave deed and earns a coat-of-arms to boot. Becoming 'Sir Ridd' still does not raise him into Lorna's status but still to a level of prestige.

Having been away from home a long time he goes home and right into local trouble with the Doones who have been taking off women and now have killed a nursing child. John, after much urging heads up a local effort to rid the valley of the Doones once for all. The plan they devise, getting a large part of the Doones to attach a 'shipment of gold' and entering the Doone valley from the lower end succeeded. They burned all the dwellings after getting all the women and children out. The only men to survive were Carver and his father 'The Councilor'. John allowed the old man to live and leave after he took back Lorna's necklace from his pocket but gave him one of the beautiful stones.

After some time John and Lorna's wedding was taking place when Carver Doone shot Lorna and finally John had more than he could take, following Carver on his own strong horse to the Wizzard's Slough and beat him in hand to hand combat but having no responsibility for Carver's death, who was sucked under by a black bog. Carver's son though present through part of this had chosen John as his father and he was sent to school when he was old enough and turned into a fine man.

John was badly hurt in his combat and took a long time to heal especially as the doctor kept 'bleeding' all the strength out of him but began to mend as soon as Ruth let him see that she had nursed Lorna back to life and health. They lived a nice long life together, occasionally remembering her dismal beginnings as Lorna Doone ...more

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