Customer Reviews

Ivanhoe (Signet Classics)

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During the early 19th century in Great Britain, the Scottish historian Walter Scott wrote this fascinating romance novel of his time. Scott's intention for the novel was in response to the recurring events and activities in Great Britain and to preserve his Scottish heritage and culture. Scott's "Ivanhoe" revealed a story of a Saxon knight, Ivanhoe, who showed courage and heroism, and he became very loyal to the Norman king, Richard the Lionhearted, during the high civil unrest and hatred between the Saxon and Norman people in England. The significant question that is interesting and essential to one's mind from the novel is what purpose does the author Walter Scott had for his readers.

One thing that got me curious is why would Scott entitle his book after one of the minor characters. Ivanhoe was a knight who been tending to his injures throughout the main part of the book but it is not the character himself that is the main focus. Rather, it is what the character Ivanhoe represented in the story, such as his role and his actions as a knight that is significant. Since Ivanhoe became loyal to the Norman King, he portrayed a way for the Saxon people to live in the Norman community without being conquered or harassed by the Norman knights or people and to ease or to get rid of the hatred between the Saxon and the Norman people. The impression that comes to one's mind is that the character Ivanhoe was the only good knight in the novel since other knights seem to be very arrogant, rude, and vile. And he is represented as a best example of chivalry, which Ivanhoe had shown to be the vital spirit of an ideal knight. The reason that the author uses the character of Ivanhoe as a title for his romance novel instead of "The Return of King Richard" or "The Black Night" was to have a character that represented the pure spirit of a loyal knight or to have a character who become a link between the two worlds of the Middle Ages. It seems the author wished to re-establish the link between his native country of Scotland and the Country of England without a complete English domination of Scotland. An idea of "a link of two worlds" that Scott had was to preserve both cultures and to re-confirm the mutual respect of both cultures and their traditions.

During the Romantic period in which Sir Walter Scott had lived, "Ivanhoe" expressed the emotions and the moods of the Middle Ages that brings the readers into the world of unknown and unique. As a historian, Scott possessed a passionate fascination for the past, so he gives a detailed description of the medieval tradition and life in the Middle Ages. The author brings the readers to feel the believable narrative of hatred and tension between the Saxon and the Norman people. The emotions and the moods of the Middle Ages helped the readers of Ivanhoe to "see" the world of knights and thieves and corruption and injustice in which the novel revealed as unpredictable and satisfying to the readers. As a historian, Scott expressed the feeling of life in the Middle Age by using history, chivalry, and the traditions of ancient times.

One of themes in the novel was the civil unrest and the massive tension that were caused by the Norman arrogance, superior feelings, and injustice. Since the Norman people's influence of dominance and superiority spread throughout the land, Saxon people grew angry and felt resentment toward the Norman nobles. While the theme of high tension occurred in the novel, the character Ivanhoe is shown as a solution to end the tension.

As part of the Romantic Movement, Sir Scott used his historical knowledge to create his own fictional novel in which he wished to warn and to entertain his readers. Despite his use of historical inaccuracy in his "Ivanhoe," the author desired to use the famous historical individuals in his story to point out his indirect warning and to entertain his readers. In order to warn his readers about the situation and issues with the government, Scott portrayed the knights and unjust royalty in this book as the English government in Great Britain. He pointed out that they are corrupted and arrogant about preserving their nation and its history. Scott himself knew that learning from history can help the people of 19th century not to make the same mistakes or to have the repeated history of their nation. The impression that one can understand from the novel is that comprehending the history aspect of the book can help the readers to make a judgment or to make a change in the English government in such a way that they will not become corrupted or be power hungry.

The author's use of historical knowledge and wisdom with the indirect applied of warning and entertainment has turned his own fictional novel entitled Ivanhoe into a popular romance book of his time. As a historical romance author and a preserver of his Scottish culture, Sir Walter Scott can be considered admirably and honorably defender of his native country of Scotland during the Romantic period. And, "Ivanhoe" is such a fascinating read.

Ivanhoe is an 1820 historical novel by Sir Walter Scott. In 1194, in the time of King Richard the Lionheart, Prince John and Robin Hood, disinherited Saxon knight Wilfred of Ivanhoe returns from the Crusades and seeks revenge against his Norman nemesis Brian de Bois-Guilbert.

But the story is so much more than that. Ivanhoe features an ensemble cast with perhaps a dozen noteworthy characters, and of these, Ivanhoe himself plays a supporting role at best, as he's absent from massive portions of the novel. Yet it is he who ties all the characters together.

The modern reader may be put off by a number of things, particularly Scott's tendency to devote entire pages to the descriptions of his characters' garb, and the unnaturally expository dialogue he puts in their mouths. But Ivanhoe is nearly two hundred years old, and some of these things we just have to get over. More just criticisms might target the book's sometimes too leisurely pace, the somewhat anticlimactic conclusion, and the unquestionably contrived and hackneyed, silly and pointless return of Athelstane, which is so literarily amateurish that Scott felt compelled to insert a footnote to acknowledge this fact, but that he was doing it anyway.

Ivanhoe is a three-act quest/reward adventure, and in spite of the book's more plodding characteristics, Scott usually keeps the pages turning in an impressive manner. His writing is clever as well as verbose, and quite frankly, there are a lot of exciting things going on here.

As far as the narrative, Scott sometimes has difficulty juggling all his characters, as he has to jump around chronologically, impeding the novel's flow. Neither does Scott feel compelled to wrap up all his many plot threads; some prominent characters, notably Prince John, are dropped by the wayside as the novel progresses and then only mentioned in passing later on.

Ivanhoe features an astounding degree of anti-Semitism from virtually every character, whether hero or villain (in addition to a historically accurate depiction of medieval persecution, this is also a political commentary contemporary to Scott's day, as England was moving toward the emancipation of its Jews). Yet for the point Scott is trying to make, Isaac of York fits very well the stereotype of the miserly Jew. But his daughter Rebecca is the noblest character in the novel.

Of similar historicity is the frustrating level of ignorance and superstition displayed by so many characters - it makes something like Monty Python and the Holy Grail's witch/duck scene seem hardly a bit farcical. And saddest of all is the time's horrendous misunderstanding of Christianity - the finding of virtue in unvirtuous acts, particularly the slaughter of any and all unbelievers.

While Scott took a number of liberties with other historical matters in Ivanhoe, no offense is egregious, and because of the degree of detail Scott provides, most everything is believable enough to the uninitiated. Ivanhoe is also noteworthy for its lasting influence. It sparked a renewed interest in the Middle Ages. And every single Robin Hood tale or film I've ever seen has used it in some way as source material, as have a large number of other medieval and fantasy stories.

In spite of its flaws, Ivanhoe remains a pillar of medieval historical fiction, and is a must for fans of that period.

Written in 1819 by Sir Walter Scott, Ivanhoe is a novel that is, by some critics, credited with the revival of modern interest in the Middle Ages, and the principals of chivalry. But...that's probably not why you'd be interested in reading it. Ivanhoe contains a fascinating portrayal of the very gradual merging of the Saxon and Norman cultures after William the Conqueror prevailed at the Battle of Hastings. But, again, this probably isn't the reason that you might be induced to pick up a book you've often heard of, but have never been tempted to read or listen to. Arguably, Ivanhoe's most admirable and intriguing character is Rebecca, a young and beautiful Jewish woman. Scott leverages Rebecca's travails into a thoughtful and powerful exploration of the oppression of women, and the brutal discrimination against medieval Judaism. And....I'm guessing that's not why you'll make room on your "to be read" pile for an almost 200 year old novel.

But here's why you might want to take an "I'll read fifty pages, and if I don't like it, won't read the rest" approach to the tale of Ivanhoe: it's an intelligent, rollicking, swash-buckling, humorous tale of beautiful damsels and men with sword arms like tree trunks, couched in semi-medieval language that is so lush that you'll find yourself going around for days afterwards talking like the yeoman of yore that lived with Robin of Locksley in Sherwood Forest. Get those fifty pages under your mental belt, and you won't put it down. Why? Because it has it all: magnificent battles, truly good guys fighting truly bad guys, corrupt priests and abbots, arrogant noblemen, estranged fathers and sons, Robin Hood, Richard the Lionhearted, Knights Templar, the evil King John and his nefarious henchmen. But wait! There's more: accusations of witchcraft, a Lazarus scene, mortal wounds, near mortal wounds, and hearts that break or burst from love and/or anguish. Ah, for a world when right makes might, instead of the 21st century might makes right. Oh for a century where bromances were based on shared adventure and combat rather than epic bouts of drinking or the mentality that the Jackass movies are based on.

Through all of the above, Sir Walter Scott's witty, careful, and exquisitely crafted sequences of dialogue give a glimpse of the beauty of human discourse (or, intercourse, as Scott refers to it) before we began to communicate in tweets, twitters, text messages, instant messages, and Facebook comments.

Ivanhoe, one should know, is barely about the character Ivanhoe. Fine young man of courage and honor that he is, the plot swirls and thickens while Ivanhoe is largely indisposed for one reason or another. Though the book wouldn't have sold had it been named properly (it should have been called "Rebecca"), the reader will find the struggle between an ultravirile Knight Templar with dishonorable intentions and Rebecca, beautiful in mind, body, and soul, more absorbing than Ivanhoe's own contribution to the plot.

So. Ivanhoe is an important novel, but beshrew that, kind sirs and ladies: read it and dream of castles that have pennants on the battlements, Dark Knights that save the day, the clash of swords, the shattering of lances, fire-breathing war horses, and excellent archers that can split a wand at a hundred yards. To heck with you, Rhett Butler and your Southernb belles: life for real men doesn't start until the clank of arrows bouncing off one's suit of armor in the full riot of battle reaches a crescendo, and Sheffield forged swords bounce off Spanish made suits of chainmail. Scarlett, step aside for Rebecca, the Jewish physician of legendary beauty, intelligence, and resolve that comes to Ivanhoe's aid. Sir Walter Scott knows how to create characters of heroic proportion, and the reader that takes the time to pick up Ivanhoe will reap the benefits of his ability to tell a tale for the ages.

Ivanhoe is an 1820 historical novel by Sir Walter Scott. In 1194, in the time of King Richard the Lionheart, Prince John and Robin Hood, disinherited Saxon knight Wilfred of Ivanhoe returns from the Crusades and seeks revenge against his Norman nemesis Brian de Bois-Guilbert.

But the story is so much more than that. Ivanhoe features an ensemble cast with perhaps a dozen noteworthy characters, and of these, Ivanhoe himself plays a supporting role at best, as he's absent from massive portions of the novel. Yet it is he who ties all the characters together.

The modern reader may be put off by a number of things, particularly Scott's tendency to devote entire pages to the descriptions of his characters' garb, and the unnaturally expository dialogue he puts in their mouths. But Ivanhoe is nearly two hundred years old, and some of these things we just have to get over. More just criticisms might target the book's sometimes too leisurely pace, the somewhat anticlimactic conclusion, and the unquestionably contrived and hackneyed, silly and pointless return of Athelstane, which is so literarily amateurish that Scott felt compelled to insert a footnote to acknowledge this fact, but that he was doing it anyway.

Ivanhoe is a three-act quest/reward adventure, and in spite of the book's more plodding characteristics, Scott usually keeps the pages turning in an impressive manner. His writing is clever as well as verbose, and quite frankly, there are a lot of exciting things going on here.

As far as the narrative, Scott sometimes has difficulty juggling all his characters, as he has to jump around chronologically, impeding the novel's flow. Neither does Scott feel compelled to wrap up all his many plot threads; some prominent characters, notably Prince John, are dropped by the wayside as the novel progresses and then only mentioned in passing later on.

Ivanhoe features an astounding degree of anti-Semitism from virtually every character, whether hero or villain (in addition to a historically accurate depiction of medieval persecution, this is also a political commentary contemporary to Scott's day, as England was moving toward the emancipation of its Jews). Yet for the point Scott is trying to make, Isaac of York fits very well the stereotype of the miserly Jew. But his daughter Rebecca is the noblest character in the novel.

Of similar historicity is the frustrating level of ignorance and superstition displayed by so many characters - it makes something like Monty Python and the Holy Grail's witch/duck scene seem hardly a bit farcical. And saddest of all is the time's horrendous misunderstanding of Christianity - the finding of virtue in unvirtuous acts, particularly the slaughter of any and all unbelievers.

While Scott took a number of liberties with other historical matters in Ivanhoe, no offense is egregious, and because of the degree of detail Scott provides, most everything is believable enough to the uninitiated. Ivanhoe is also noteworthy for its lasting influence. It sparked a renewed interest in the Middle Ages. And every single Robin Hood tale or film I've ever seen has used it in some way as source material, as have a large number of other medieval and fantasy stories.

In spite of its flaws, Ivanhoe remains a pillar of medieval historical fiction, and is a must for fans of that period.

Sir Walter Scott's tale of "Ivanhoe" is an enjoyable story, but it taxes the readers patience many times over. If you can bear with the very lengthy descriptions, and what has to be the driest, most boring first chapter of any book in Western Civilization, you will actually find yoursel drawn into the story. Two quick notes, you may want Cliff's Notes or an on-line equivalent to help keep straight as to who is who, and to help get a better understanding of the often arcane writing style. Second, this Signet classic version of the book really needs to be re-set for a more modern typeset. This book is still using the typeset from the 1962 printing, and it is very difficult on the eye. Most other classic books have since been re-set to a larger print to make it easier on the eye. "Ivanhoe" should not be an exception. (Note: other editions of "Ivanhoe" available in mass market form ARE available in an easier-to-read print, and the reader may want to consider them over this edition.)

Even though this book was written nearly 300 years ago (wow) it still has a LOT to teach us about human nature today. The themes are classic: racial prejudice and hatred (Normans vs. Saxons vs. Jews), chivalry, religious fanatacism (the Templars), parental judgmentalism, and unrequieted love.

I was recently drawn to this again for what I believe is still taking place: anti-semitism. We may not call a Jew a "dog" or "accursed" as the book does - we probably call them something worse today, as our vocabulary has changed.

And yet, it is a Jew and a Saxon man and a Saxon woman who show kindness and godly attributes - not the Knights Templar, not the Normans, not the Saxon lord(s). They reach across racial barriers. If they hadn't, we wouldn't have a wonderfully rich dated story that is timeless in its themes.

Anti-semitism seems to be on the rise again today - even from certain Christian denominations. We have a muslim country calling to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. And yet, it is a Jew, and only the Jew, who helped the Christian when he was wounded - and no other stepped forward to help...not even his own father.

I purchased this book as a reference and a reminder that prejudice and hatred need to be overcome. I recommend it to anyone. Oh - and I had an aunt named Rowena. My grandmother chose her name well.

Published in 1819, this is a classic tale of knighthood. It is one of the best chivalric novels ever published. It's set at the close of the 12th century. Deals with the Knights Templar.

The book that defined the genre. Set in late 12th century England, its cast includes Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Prince John, Richad Coeur de Lion and the Knights Templar. A novel of chivalry and robber barons, battles and court intrigue, fights for justice and the love of beautiful ladies. What's not to like?

Scott's archaic and flowery language leads many to describe the book as 'dry' or 'boring', but as pointed out by other reviewers it rewards those with the brains and persistence to appreciate it. It makes for a heavy read, but captures the authenticity sought by every period novel.

If you think a 19th century romance must be sanitised or have idealised characters, rest assured. There's no lack of violence or human flaws in Ivanhoe, though modern readers may still find it a tad contrived; but that's part of the period charm. Mandatory reading for those who claim to be history buffs or connoisseurs of English literature.

This Signet edition contains Scott's original footnotes and dedicatory epistle.

Written in 1819 by Sir Walter Scott, Ivanhoe is a novel that is, by some critics, credited with the revival of modern interest in the Middle Ages, and the principals of chivalry. But...that's probably not why you'd be interested in reading it. Ivanhoe contains a fascinating portrayal of the very gradual merging of the Saxon and Norman cultures after William the Conqueror prevailed at the Battle of Hastings. But, again, this probably isn't the reason that you might be induced to pick up a book you've often heard of, but never been tempted to read or listen to. Arguably, Ivanhoe's most admirable and intriguing character is a Rebecca, a young and beautiful Jewish woman. Scott leverages Rebecca's travails into a thoughtful and powerful exploration of the oppression of women, and the brutal discrimination against medieval Judaism. And....I'm guessing that's not why you'll make room on your "to be read" pile for an almost 200 year old novel.

But here's why you might want to take an "I'll read fifty pages, and if I don't like it, won't read the rest" approach to the tale of Ivanhoe: it's an intelligent, rollicking, swash-buckling, humorous tale of beautiful damsels and men with sword arms like tree trunks, couched in semi-medieval language that is so lush that you'll find yourself going around for days afterwards talking like the yeoman of yore that lived with Robin of Locksley in Sherwood Forest. Get those fifty pages under your mental belt, and you won't put it down. Why? Because it has it all: magnificent battles, truly good guys fighting truly bad guys, corrupt priests and abbots, arrogant noblemen, estranged fathers and sons, Robin Hood, Richard the Lionhearted, Knights Templar, the evil King John and his nefarious henchmen. But wait! More: accusations of witchcraft, a Lazarus scene, mortal wounds, near mortal wounds, and hearts that break or burst from love and/or anguish. Ah, for a world when right makes might, instead of the 21st century might makes right. Oh for a century where bromances were based on shared adventure and combat rather than epic bouts of drinking or the mentality that the Jackass movies are based on.

Through all of the above, Sir Walter Scott's witty, careful, and exquisitely crafted sequences of dialogue give a glimpse of the beauty of human discourse (or, intercourse, as Scott refers to it) before we began to communicate in tweets, twitters, text messages, instant messages, and Facebook comments.

Ivanhoe, one should know, is barely about the character Ivanhoe. Though he is a fine young man of courage and honor, the plot swirls and thickens while Ivanhoe is largely indisposed for one reason or another. Though the book wouldn't have sold had it been named properly (it should have been called "Rebecca"), the reader will find the struggle between an ultravirile Knight Templar with dishonorable intentions and Rebecca, beautiful in mind, body, and soul more absorbing than Ivanhoe's own contribution to the plot.

So. Ivanhoe is an important novel, but beshrew that, kind sirs and ladies: read it and dream of castles that have pennants on the battlements, Dark Knights that save the day, the clash of swords, the shattering of lances, fire-breathing war horses, and excellent archers that can split a wand at a hundred yards. To heck with you, Rhett Butler and your Southern Belles: life for real men doesn't start until the clank of arrows bouncing off one's suit of armor in the full riot of battle reaches a crescendo, and Sheffield forged swords bounce off Spanish made suits of chainmail. Scarlett, step aside for Rebecca, the Jewish physician of legendary beauty, intelligence, and resolve that comes to Ivanhoe's aid. Sir Walter Scott knows how to create characters of heroic proportion, and the reader that takes the time to pick up Ivanhoe will reap the benefits of his ability to tell a tale for the ages.

Sir Walter Scott's tale of "Ivanhoe" is an enjoyable story, but it taxes the readers patience many times over. If you can bear with the very lengthy descriptions, and what has to be the driest, most boring first chapter of any book in Western Civilization, you will actually find yoursel drawn into the story. Two quick notes, you may want Cliff's Notes or an on-line equivalent to help keep straight as to who is who, and to help get a better understanding of the often arcane writing style. Second, this Signet classic version of the book really needs to be re-set for a more modern typeset. This book is still using the typeset from the 1962 printing, and it is very difficult on the eye. Most other classic books have since been re-set to a larger print to make it easier on the eye. "Ivanhoe" should not be an exception. (Note: other editions of "Ivanhoe" available in mass market form ARE available in an easier-to-read print, and the reader may want to consider them over this edition.)