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This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's preservation reformatting program. The Library seeks to preserve the intellectual content of items in a manner that facilitates and promotes a variety of uses. The digital reformatting process results in an electronic version of the text that can both be accessed online and used to create new print copies. This book and thousands of others can be found in the digital collections of the University of Michigan Library. The University Library also understands and values the utility of print, and makes reprints available through its Scholarly Publishing Office. ... Read more

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The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Fiction / General; ... Read more

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On the very day when Charles I. was crowned with due rejoicings--Candlemasday, in the year of our Lord 1626--a loyalty, quite as deep and perhaps even more lasting, was having its beer at Ley Manor in the north of Devon. A loyalty not to the king, for the old West-country folk knew little and cared less about the house that came over the Border; but to a lord who had won their hearts by dwelling among them, and dealing kindly, and paying his way every Saturday night. When this has been done for three generations general and genial respect may almost be relied upon.

The present Baron de Wichehalse was fourth in descent from that Hugh de Wichehalse, the head of an old and wealthy race, who had sacrificed his comfort to his resolve to have a will of his own in matters of religion. That Hugh de Wichehalse, having an eye to this, as well as the other world, contrived to sell his large estates before they were confiscated, and to escape with all the money, from very sharp measures then enforced, by order of King Philip II., in the unhappy Low Countries. Landing in England, with all his effects and a score of trusty followers, he bought a fine property, settled, and died, and left a good name behind him. And that good name had been well kept up, and the property had increased and thriven, so that the present lord was loved and admired by all the neighbourhood.
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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Drama / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh; ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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The savage and powerful Doone family are hated throughout the land for their marauding ways, especially by John Ridd, whose father they killed. However, amid the dangers of the Monmouth Rebellion, John meets Lorna and determines to rescue her from her evil family and the perils of civil war. ... Read more

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One winter's day in 1673 young John Ridd is riding home from school, across the wild lonely hills of Exmoor. He has to pass Doone valley - a dangerous place, as the Doones are famous robbers and murderers. All Exmoor lives in fear of the Doones. At home there is sad news waiting for young John, and he learns that he has good reason to hate the Doones. But in the years to come he meets Lorna Doone, with her lovely smile and big dark eyes. And soon he is deeply, hopelessly, in love ... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Lorna Doone
I have loved this story since I was a child and I have read several more detailed versions of the same story. This version is from the Oxford Bookworms Library. This is a classic but whilst I got 100% value from this book, I missed the absolute detail that was built into the original of Blackmore's Lorna Doone. ... Read more

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Slain By The Doones is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

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The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Monmouth's Rebellion, 1685; Exmoor (England); Fiction / Classics; ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

I loved this story
I just love this whole story from beginning to end. I'm not one to examine a book too deeply or appriciate hidden meanings. I am one of the most unromantic blokes that has ever walked the Earth and would never dare to speak of this in the pub with my mates. I'd die of embaresment if they knew, so this is my secret self talking.

I thought Lorna Doone was blooming drop dead beautiful(in my mind's eye) and I could swim a shark infested ocean for her. John Ridd was everything I wanted to be to win her. This story had everything for me - a fabulous lady in distress, trials and tribulations, a ghastly villan and I (as John Ridd) sorted it all out, complete with rugged chin and pristine white teeth. When the book ended so wonderfully, I was still upset because I was no longer John Ridd and none of my chins were rugged.The less said about the teeth, the better...

But seriously, please read this. I want to come back in another life and live in this old England as John Ridd with Lorna Doone. So might you?

Great story, bad narrarator
This book has a fantastic plotline,I Love historical novels.The only boring character was the one who narrates it.I wish the author had chosen any other character, as he comes off as a dolt and there are so many interesting plotlines, and other characters. As something considered an early 19th century publication, it is easy to read but I was frustratedby the narrators limited and naive world view.I skipped over many parts having to do with the minutae of the narrators life.Worth reading for insights into late 18th century life in rural England.Would buy paperback, and used.

A Marvelous Romance and Historical Novel
Many of you have read Lorna Doone in abridged form or seen a TV presentation of this largely forgotten masterpiece of British literature. That is unfortunate because such versions omit much that is of value and hopefully you will avail yourself of the chance to read this beautiful, emotionally charged, novel in full.

R. D. Blackmore's Lorna Doone is described as a "Romance" novel. Curious as to the meaning of this term I searched the Internet and came up with the following composite definition:an action, adventure story with the added focus of a loving, passionate relationship. A central conflict divides the lovers, there is character growth and a resolution, usually with an HEA (happily ever after) ending.

The book is also an historical novel centering around an event now termed "Manmouth's Rebellion."James II, who succeeded Charles II on the English throne, was unpopular because he was a Roman Catholic and much of the country was Protestant. James Scott, the first Duke of Manmouth, the illigimate son of Charles II, was a Protestant and lay claim to the throne. He raised an army, mostly consisting of farmers, but was defeated in the Battle of Sedgemoor on July 6, 1865.Following this battle some 1.400 rebels were tired in a series of trials presided over by Chief Justice Charles Jefferys, that have been termed the "Bloody Assize," in that some 300 were executed, more than 1,000 sent to the West Indies and the rest remained in prison.

The book may also be described as a "coming-of-age" novel in that it traces the life of the protagonist, John Ridd, from his youth to his mature years. Finally, it can also be called a pastoral in that Blackmore describes the western region of the country and clearly prefers the rural life to the big city. He devotes much of the book to describing the countryside and the culture.

One minor problem is that some of the vocabulary is not in common usage today. Words such as lanthorn (lantern), culverin (a heavy cannon) and portcullis (a gate that can be raised or lowered at the entrance of a fortified town) are found throughout the book.. Additionally, Blackmore uses local dialects in some places that are a little difficult to follow.

The story is told by Ridd as a flashback, starting from when he was eight years old. He lived in a yeoman or freeholder family(free persons who tended a farm) along with his parents and two younger sisters. Early in the story his father is killed by a group of Doones, an outlaw clan. The Doone family had been aristocrats at the king's court but fell into disfavor; their property was confiscated and they fled to the west of England where they formed their own enclave in a valley that afforded them protection. They turned to robbery and crime to support themselves. One night as John's father was riding home he was attacked and killed by a gang of Doones. The young boy vowed revenge but was helpless to act at that time.

When John is 14 he wanders by accident into the Doone valley where he meets the then eight year old Lorna and is struck by her beauty and kindliness. The years pass and when he is 21 John meets the now grown Lorna and they fall in love.. Their love is complicated by her relationship with the Doones and later by her high social standing relative to Ridd.The last third of the book becomes rather violent as the war and conflict with the Doones dominates the action.The ending is dramatic and emotionally charged.

Religion also plays a big role in the story, not only the conflict between Catholics and Protestants, but also the role that religion plays in shaping character and behaviors.

It is interesting to speculate as to how much of the story is fact and how much a product of Blackmore's imagination. There is some doubt as to whether or not the Doones of Bagworthy forest actually existed, but there were outlaw gangs in the west of England at that time. The leading Doone characters, Sir Ensor Doone, Counsellor Doone and the villainous blackguard, Carver Doone, are surely caricatures, as are the minor characters:the humorous servants, John Fry and Betty Muxworthy, Lorna's faithful maid, Gwenny Carfax, the King's messenger and military commander, Jeremy Stickles, etc.Also the dashing highway man Tom Faggus and his amazing horse, Winnie, may be more representational than real.Furthermore the places described in the book are not easily found today.

Blackmore was a poet before he was a novelist and it shows in this work. Some may think that the story is "slow moving" as Blackmore stops the action to describe the scenery or puts in a tale that is apart from the main story but reveals something about the culture and nature of the people. Novels are wonderful in that they allow you to go to places and experience things that are impossible in real life. So, relax and return to the English countryside of old and enjoy the tale!

Good read!
I started reading this book because it came with greater collection of used books we had picked up and I figured since we owned it I might as well read it.It was slow going at first.The English the book is written in is not modern and can be somewhat difficult to get the flow of.It is next to impossible to read sections where the author gives us the dialog for some of the lesser educated characters exactly as they sound (think Eliza Doolittle with a speech impediment).But despite these drawbacks once you got started reading you get a hang of how the older English works and it did not seem to be such a hindrance (though anytime John Fry or anyone like him spoke I continued to struggle understanding it).The story itself is a slower paced love story, so if you are looking for a page turner this book is not for you (at least not until the last five chapters or so).The main character, John Ridd, is fascinating to watch as he develops mentally and physically from boy to man.I loved seeing how the convictions he holds play out in his interactions with those he encounters, including the dreaded Doone's.His entire nature is layed out for you to see and inspect.Even though he is a fictional character I admire him greatly.I have deep respect for his restraint and level head when it is called for as well his passion and anger when things come to a climax towards the end of the book.Even his deep inner conflict that comes when he does let his passion rise up is fascinating to watch.I found the book very rewarding, and while it is not one of my all time favorites, it is worth the read.

Greatly underrated book
This is a beautifully written book that IMHO is one of the most under rated classics known.I understand that it has never gone out of print since it was first introduced, yet is not as well known as some of the novels by Hardy and other writers of that era.It is the tale of two lovers from opposite sides of the track, er, moor.The descriptions of the English countryside are beautifully written, and the two main characters inspire our respect and admiration with their nobility and bravery. John and Lorna are two very likeable young people who are from families who openly feud with one another.There is a lot of action and intrigue thanks to the historical setting and several subplots that run throughout the book.You have scoundrels, soldiers, highway men, severe weather, and the king's spys, as well as the romance.

Lorna Doone IS a rather verbose novel, but is so well written that it flows quickly and easily and is actually hard to put down.It does tend to bog down about 3/4 of the way through, but picks back up.I had to laugh when a previous reviewer below noted that John talks too much--this is entirely true but he is an engaging fellow with a fun family.Don't overlook this one because of the length. ... Read more

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The sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. ... Read more

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This collection has been develop and optimized for use on the Kindle, Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Palm, Symbian and other devices including your PC. It includes a hypertext Table of Contents for each title making it very easy to navigate the author and the works included. It has also been compressed so it takes up the least space possible on your computer or mobile device.