Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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".

Oh, where do I begin? I absolutely LOVED this book. I am a lover of Historical books,be they biographies, non-fiction, romance, or general fiction. This one delivered on all accounts. After I finished it I went out on the internet to research the Massacre of Glencoe, and the Campbells and MacDonalds. Ms. Roberson did her homework. The book is entirely accurate. Not only that, but when I saw pictures of the actual places, they were exactly as I had imagined them through the authors descriptions. I felt like I was in the Highlands. On the morning of the Massacre I could feel the biting cold of the blizzard, and worse yet, my heart was breaking for the characters. I fell in love with Catriona. I thought she was so beleivable and real. She never did anything that I felt was out of character, or left my wanting to shake her for being so blind as is typical of most romance novels. I loved that they were both described as being beautiful and attractive more for their strength and intelligence than their looks. I loved Cat's unresolved feelings for her father, but how she rose above it and sought out her own life. For the reviewer who gave it such an awful review, all I can think is that she is not a lover of good historical fiction.

Be forewarned. This is not a romance novel. Although the romance between Dair and Cat is central to the story, this is heavy on the history. There are some love scenes, but they are not explicit nor central to the story line. If you are unfamiliar with Scottish history and Clans, you will have a headache by the first 100 pages trying to keep them all straight. But if you have read some Scottish history already, and love historical fiction, you must read this book. It is fantastic.

The perfidious Massacre of Glencoe occurred at the village of Glencoe, Glen Coe, Scotland, during the predawn hours of February 13, 1692, during the period of the Glorious Revolution and the Jacobite Risings. Thirty-eight MacDonalds, including the MacIain, clan chieftain, were slaughtered by government troops, led by Captain Robert Campbell of Glen Lyon who had accepted the MacDonald's hospitality. Campbell had been ordered by the King's Master of the Stair, through the Governor of Fort William, to turn on his hosts, (including his own niece and her husband). Although he defended his actions with the "I was just following orders" excuse, Campbell, as a highlander, was well aware of the strictly held laws of Highland hospitality. His offense was, and still is, thought to be unforgivable by many.

Kings William II and III's policy in Scotland was to force clan chieftains to subscribe an oath of loyalty to the crown. MacIain of Glencoe was slow in doing so and eventually missed the deadline by a matter of days, although he did swear the oath. For his tardiness he and his were made "examples of." Those who were able to escape, primarily women and children, hid in the surrounding snowy mountains and died of exposure after their homes were burned. The MacDonald's and Campbell's, already immersed in bitter feuding, still maintain the feud three hundred years later. Campbells continue to suffer the opprobrium of the massacre and generations of Scots children have been taught "never trust a Campbell."

"Lady of the Glen's" subtitle is "a novel of 17th century Scotland and the Massacre of Glencoe," and the book accurately describes the heinous event which took place that morning in 1692 and the history leading up to it, as well as the fictitious Romeo and Juliet love story between Alasdair Og MacDonald, youngest son of the MacIain, and Catriona Campbell of Glen Lyon. Although Alasdair Og did, in fact, marry a Cambell of Glen Lyon, she was a niece to Glen Lyon not his daughter.

While Jennifer Roberson's narrative bogs down occasionally, she writes a fluid, intelligent prose and has an amazing grasp of the historical events, characters and political intrigue of the times. Her fictitious characters, especially Cat and Dair are wonderful, strong and believable - a really terrific and unusual heroine and hero. Because of the violence and terrible sadness, this is no light read and therefore not for everyone. The brutality of the clan wars is depicted with tremendous realism, as are the wonderful customs and culture of the Highlands. One can almost hear the bagpipes play. If you are a fan of good historical fiction and Scottish history in particular, you'll find this novel to be a winner - as I did. ENJOY!
JANA

Lady of the Glen is a book that touches all the elements of a great story. It has Romance , Family dynamics, political intregues,and a history lesson you won't even know your getting while reading an exciting tale.
Ms. Roberson tells a tale with all the "embrodiery" one would expect of a Romance novel with out becoming "Cartland-ish".
If you enjoyed reading Diana Gaboldon's Series,you'll enjoy this book...no time travel, just a good solid tale,with a bit of history thrown in. The Massacre at Glencoe has long stood in the minds of the Scots,this novel brings the details the forefront and explains why "The Scots Never Forget".......

Me personally, being a Scot and a MacDonald, was in tears from beginning tae end. Me family and I lost and had ancestors live through the massacre and even though this was a fictional book, me thinks Ms. Roberson did a gang boonie job.

This novel really caught me, I couldn't put it down. I read it through in one night & then re-read it again & again! The love story is real & very moving; the characters are fully believeable. The love story is a major part, but not the only part, of this book. Deeper & more tragic than the usual historical-romance genre & definitely not a disappointment -- I don't know where some of the other reviewers got their opinions. This is a great book!

This was a very good book and an enjoyable read. I really enjoyed the two main characters, Catriona (Cat) and Alasdair (Dair) a lovely Romeo and Juliet story. A pleasant change to have the heroine not be drop dead gorgeous. Their characters were well drawn, intelligent and displayed great chemistry. I enjoyed their playful banter as they "courted" and afterward when they become lovers. LOL when she became worried after their first time together in bed, as her brothers had always told Cat her tongue would shrivel a man's --- well you know what.

Even though when Cat and Dair get together they are a loving and lusty couple, the sex scenes are mostly left to the imagination and not overly drawn out, which helps make this book more appropriate for a younger reader than many books available these days. The author was able to convey much just with the subtle sexual banter betwen these two, it was very funny and sweet.

Although there is the "romance" of the book with the two main characters, this is more about the massacre of Glencoe, a little known piece of Scottish history, and a very sad tale for so many members of this clan. Don't let the cover of the book fool you, this is not a Julie Garwood type of book where the story is mostly fluff to place the H&H in in order to write steamy love scenes. And I'm not knocking Garwood, I loved Ransom -- this is just a different type of book altogether despite what it appears from the cover. If you are looking for a light book heavy on romance and light on the history, this book is not for you.

All in all quite an enjoyable read.

This is a great book. Here is the story of the Glencoe massacre brought to life and seen through the eyes of those who were there. Sometimes attributed to the Campbell MacDonald feud, but also to the Jacobite sympathies of the Glencoe MacDonald vs. the government. A little of both. The love story between Alasdair Og "Dair" MacDonald and Cationa "Cat" Campbell, both children of rival clan chieftains, gives it a nice Romeo and Juliet flavor without over powering the whole story. Also we get a look of time and background with some other interesting characters (I should say people since only two of the characters were fictional). Robert Stewart of Appin, MacIan, GlenLyon and the Earl of Breadalbane to name a few. Reading this gave me a better appreciation for the Highland life and struggles they went through. I could almost smell the heather and peat fires, hear the pipes and see the sunsets over the lochs. Don't be afraid of this as a romance novel, this is great historical fiction, especially if you are looking for info on the Glencoe Massacre of 1692. I am glad I picked it up and you will too.