Monarch of the Glen [Paperback]

Mackenzie Compton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 24, 2000

The ancient clan spirit is not yet dead in the Scottish Highlands, with Donald MacDonald of Ben Nevis ruling the roost at wild, craggy Glenbogle castle. Woe betide those who trespass on this chieftain's kingdom...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Compton Mackenzie was born in West Hartlepool in 1883. He was educated at St Paul's School and Magdalen College, Oxford. During the First World War he became a Captain in the Royal Marines, becoming Director of the Aegean Intelligence Service. He wrote more than ninety books - novels, history and biography, essays and criticism, children's stories and verse, and was also an outstanding broadcaster. He founded and edited until 1961 the magazine the Gramophone, and was President of the Siamese Cat Club. He lived for many years on the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, but later settled in Edinburgh. Compton Mackenzie died in 1972. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books (February 24, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140292985
• ISBN-13: 978-0140292985
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highland Tale, November 21, 2002

By 

bigdogohio "bigdogohio" (Baltimore, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monarch of the Glen (Audio Cassette)

For anyone familiar with the very popular BBC series Monarch of the Glen, much in this audio book will ring familiar. And, for those unfortunate not to be familiar with the series, the book will be an entree into the world of a Scottish Highland Chieftan of the 20th Century.

The tale takes place in Scotland in the early 1940's at the castle Glenbogle, the ancestral estate of the Clan MacDonald. The patriarch is a stodgy old Highlander trying to make the best of the 20th century, but with his values firmly planted 400 years earlier. There's a bit of everything in here, a love story, a battle, some history as to kilts and clans and highland lore. Quite of lot of Gaelic is spoken and by the end of the story some of it actually starts to sound familiar.

The narrator does an excellent job with the wide cast of characters ranging from Americans, to Brits and Scots. I found myself laughing out loud many times. It was a great "read" on my way to and from work.

A note of caution though for those who have seen the series: There is only a hint of similarity to the series, but don't let the name changes etc turn you off, the story in total could easily have taken place in the Glenbogle we've seen on film.

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great "prequel" for the TV series, July 5, 2003

By 

"cardhu-uisge" (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Monarch of the Glen (Alo Nudger Mysteries) (Audio CD)

If you're expecting to "see" Archie, Golly, Duncan, et al, they're not around...yet...in this audio version of MacKenzie's novel, which takes place between the two world wars.

Despite a bit of a slow start, the book is a hoot and will definitely get you through a long car trip, or many long commutes! David Rintoul's reading is excellent and never monotonous. You'll get a good flavour of Highland life and traditions and have more than a few laughs.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good clean fun, May 30, 2009

By 

D. Chandler (Georgia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Monarch of the Glen (Paperback)

I had never heard of Compton Mackenzie until a few years ago when I rescued a copy of "Hunting the Fairies" from a newspaper recycling bin (a guy in our town died and his idiot family dumped his book collection---I rescued hundreds for our library book sale.) "Hunting the Fairies" was that rare book which made me laugh out loud and also feel warm and uplifted. The Monarch of the Glen continues with some of the same characters and has the same humanity and wit. The humor is gentle but not sappy, satirical but not mean, and the characters are keenly observed from real life. This book is a very entertaining read, plus you'll learn a thing or two about Scottish history and culture.