Lorna Doone

Originally published in 1869, R.D. Blackmore’s historical romance, Lorna Doone, remains a critically acclaimed story with several television and movie adaptations. Set in the 17th century during a fraught political climate, the novel centers on the star-crossed lovers, Lorna Doone and John Ridd, as they struggle to be together despite the differences in their social classes and the enmity between their families. The main character, John Ridd, is the narrator, telling his story years later. He makes determined attempts to describe the Exmoor landscape and accurately portray the local dialect.

Plot Summary

Exmoor, a rural area at the border of Devonshire and Somersetshire, is home to simple farmers and a family of former-aristocrat outlaws—the Doones. The Doones live in a secluded family compound in a hidden valley, leaving only to rob and occasionally kill. Carver Doone kills John Ridd’s father during a robbery, prompting John to leave school and quickly become the man of the house at a young age. One day, John accidentally stumbles into the Doone’s territory and meets a beautiful young girl named Lorna. Despite that she is ostensibly a Doone and of a much higher social class than him, John is smitten. Seven years later, he returns, and they begin a secret courtship.