Waverley

By: Sir Walter Scott

Narrated by: David Rintoul

Waverley by Sir Walter Scott is an enthralling tale of love, war and divided loyalties. Taking place during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, the novel tells the story of proud English officer Edward Waverley.

After being posted to Dundee, Edward eventually befriends chieftain of the Highland Clan Mac-Ivor and falls in love with his beautiful sister Flora. He then renounces his former loyalties in order actively to support Scotland in open rebellion against the Union with England.

The book depicts stunning, romantic panoramas of the Highlands, and is famous for being one of the first historical novels. Its influence extended to many authors, including Dickens, Dumas, Gogol, Stevenson, Thackeray, and Tolstoy.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2018 Naxos AudioBooks

Superb Historical Novel

"The classic historical novel set during the early 18th century in Scotland during the Jacobite rebellion is a captivating tale that expertly weaves together the complexities of political turmoil, romance, and loyalty. With a backdrop of breathtaking Scottish landscapes, the story unfolds with intrigue and suspense, immersing readers in a world filled with unforgettable characters and a rich tapestry of historical events. Offering a compelling blend of adventure, drama, and historical accuracy, this timeless novel is a must-read for fans of historical fiction." - prompt engineered by P. AItch

The wit and erudition of the narrator.

The story is a good one, the historical backdrop adds color, the characters delight, the narrative voice adds wit and dimension, and the language enchants.

Fascinating history

As I approach my 9th Decade I had never read anything by Walter Scott until now. This is a highly readable book. The writing is fully accessible (apart from long absence from Latin). I know nothing of Scottish history so am very pleased to have read this exciting account of a momentous time. There is so very much I just do not know of the history and religion of Scotland, but now I have a sense. The many and varied characters, main and subsidiary, were wonderfully drawn. Finally, Scott described the many places where this story is set in a way that makes me want to visit them. Finally finally, Mr Rintouil’s reading was superb. This is a highly engaging historical novel and I will be reading more from Sir Walter Scott.

Slow start

After listening to Ivanhoe, I was looking forward to Waverley and similar adventure. This book is more ponderous than Ivanhoe and less fun. The action really doesn’t begin until around chapter 25 about a third of the way into the book. That said, the characters are very well drawn and the auld sod is enchanting. The performance is remarkable for its range from aristocratic English to Highland brogue.

Not enthralled

Hard to like this long and self-admiring novel. Even though the author explains why he has made it somewhat tedious and disappointing I still couldn't gain enough momentum to finish it. On the other hand the poetry and song lyrics were brilliant and kept encouraging me. But not enough.