Lady Of The Glen: A Novel of 17Th-Century Scotland and the Massacre of Glencoe [Paperback]

Jennifer Roberson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998

"Lady of the Glen" is the spellbinding story of Catriona Campbell's enduring passion for Alasdair Og MacDonald, the second-born son of her clan's most powerful foe, the Laird of Glencoe. Enemies from birth, Catriona and Alasdair know from the moment they meet that they will lie in each other's arms someday. But their love, for centuries forbidden, comes at the most dangerous of times, as they become pawns of war and of history.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A romance novel without a happy ending is like an angel without wings. The challenge romance authors face is to create tension until the expected conclusion arrives; but Roberson's latest, because of numerous flash-forwards, offers only a smidgen of suspense. From the outset, we know that the MacDonalds, a clan of Highland Jacobite Scots, are going to be slaughtered by order of King William. The laird of the rival Campbell clan is a pawn of King William's royalist henchman, creating the perfect backdrop for a Romeo and Juliet romance. Disaster is inevitable, but Roberson's lovers, Alasdair "Dair" MacDonald and Catriona "Cat" Campbell, survive. Cat is feisty and virtuous, while Dair is masculine and sensitive. Roberson's world of 17th-century Scotland is atmospherically real, which comes as no surprise from an author who writes acclaimed fantasies (the Sword-Dancer saga, etc.) as well as romances. Readers who enjoyed the author's most recent novel, Lady of the Forest, will find this one a pleasure, albeit a predictable one.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

The author of several robust historicals (Lady of the Forest, 1992, etc.) presents a stirring if ultimately doleful drama concerned with the 1692 massacre of the Highland MacDonald clan--a slaughter that took place during the campaign by King William III of England to subdue the fierce chiefs of Scotland. Roberson's latest is an under-two-flags (or under-two-plaids) romance between a MacDonald based on an actual figure and a fictional Campbell, a lad and lassie of warring clans. Catriona Campbell, daughter of the weak, hard-drinking laird of Glen Lyon, meets Alasdair ``Dair'' Og, a MacDonald and son of the mighty MacIain (described at one point as ``a massive Gael swathed in plaid and hostility''), when she is ten, during a parley between her family and the MacDonalds. Dair is kind to the fierce child, but she hates the MacDonalds: They are skilled cattle thieves (as are many of the clans) and sworn enemies of the Campbells. When grown, Cat pleads with her father for the life of Dair, caught during yet another MacDonald cattle raid. But as the forbidden love of Cat and Dair grows, tragedy looms. The proud, honorable Highlanders are tricked by the Earl of Breadalbane, a Campbell, and through the machinations of some Scots in high places and the silent acquiescence of King William, the MacDonalds--despite a last-minute submission to William by MacIain--are slaughtered. Cat and Dair, betrayed by her father (in the employ of the King), are parted and then, after the slaughter, tearfully reunited. If at first you dinna ken your MacDonalds, your Campbells, Stewarts, Camerons, etc., without a score card, struggle on; the Highlanders, striding on bare feet with their pride flapping, are a likable bunch, and the action is gey lively. With original documents and responsible research, well worth a Highland journey. -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 556 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575662892
• ISBN-13: 978-1575662893
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,303,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After reading this, I am ashamed to be a Campbell!, December 2, 2001

By 

Nicole Campbell (Brisbane, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lady Of The Glen: A Novel of 17Th-Century Scotland and the Massacre of Glencoe (Mass Market Paperback)

What a fantastic book!
I married into the "Campbell clan" 6 years ago and approx the same time went to a Campbell family reunion. There was much talk of history/pride of clan etc, until one of the old aunties told me the Campbells were actually famous in scotland as murderers of Macdonalds!
I had never heard of the "Glencoe Massacre" until then, and stumbled across "Lady of the Glen" by pure chance.
What a gripping read from start to finish! Jennifer Roberson's writing style is wonderfully involving and had me hooked, i literally couldnt put it down. the story between Cat and Alasdair is truly beautiful (who cares if that is the only part of the storyline that is fictional?) and involving, and really made the dry facts of an historical event 300+ years ago come alive.
2 thumbs up for this unforgettable book and i cant wait to read the rest of her books!
I notice some of the other reviewers found the book a bit slow/boring/too historical - if it is a bawdy "romance" novel you are looking for, this is not the book for you, but if you are looking for a beautifully told, historically accurate account of realistic characters - you wont be disappointed.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite! A True Scottish Story!, April 25, 2000

By 

Stacey Timmins-Newman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lady Of The Glen: A Novel of 17Th-Century Scotland and the Massacre of Glencoe (Paperback)

Jennifer Roberson is a wonderful author. I found her work when a friend recommended Lady of the Forest (a tale of Robin Hood told from a woman's point of view) and I was lucky enough to find this book. Ms. Roberson's attention to detail is amazing and I enjoy her work very much. This is the story of the 1692 Massacre of Glencoe (with a romantic spin). It takes place when the h/h are children and although they are enemies somehow find something to like in each other. They knew from the start that they would always be much more than friends. The description of Scotland, the details of the political intrigue, the horrors of massacre are so unbelievable -- more so because they happened in truth -- I couldn't put the book down. Until this book I didn't know what spellbinding meant... after you read it you will understand why! Catriona Campbell is a likeable child and an even more lovable adult. She is the picture of a highland lass if ever your imagination needed to create one! The love she feels for Dair from the minute they meet (even though they were enemies) makes you realize why you could never pick the person you truly love - Love picks that person for you. She is smart, she is strong and she is real! Cat reminds you of someone you have always admired and you feel as if you've known her forever. You will feel pride in her and you will be devastated right along side of her. This heroine brings you into the story - as if you didn't have a choice. By the end of the book you realize the choice was made upon opening the book! Alasdair ``Dair'' Og MacDonald. He is not your "typical" hero, from his looks to his personality - he is just unique! Gorgeous, smart and funny. A family man, a devoted husband and a loving son make this man special in anyone's eyes. You will come to love him and root for him and want to cry for him when the Massacre hits. The depth of emotion that this character brings out will surprise you and grab hold of you like never before. The secondary characters are so wonderful that you will find yourself in tears more times than once. The attention to detail and historical fact will have you looking up Glencoe on the Internet and researching the Massacre in the library. I was lucky enough to visit Glencoe and although I was disappointed because there was not much to "see" by way of historical treasures... that is the point - there was nothing left! Captivating and electrifying! Vivid and lush views of Scotland - if you want to know why people love to read about Highlanders this book will explain it!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ........, March 3, 2003

By 

BOOK READER "snowkrystle" (WI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lady Of The Glen: A Novel of 17Th-Century Scotland and the Massacre of Glencoe (Hardcover)

I truly beleive that this is what Historical Romance is all about. I have read this book 3 times already and it is in my KEEP shelf for future reading. If I could rate this book any higher, I WOULD.
Some reviewers rated this book as slow but I found it just the opposite as I am a true Scottish fan. I just happened upon this book as it had Scottish plaid on the front and I prefer any Author that writes Scottish novels, plus, I have also read a history of Scotland, so I am familiar with the history of the Glencoe Massacre. She had the ability to make you feel that you were at the massacre yourself and could almost experience what they were experiencing at the time.
I would love to see a Movie made of this book that would rival "Braveheart".