However the story is read, there is adventure, romance, and darkness to be found here. As the narrative unfolds and the dichotomies are more completely identified Robert Louis Stevenson appears to be communicating more complicated themes of Scotland’s divided identity. The story is really a rivalry between brothers that turns evil and, in some places, horrific as James’ nature is increasingly revealed. His respect is increased while Henry has diminished in everyone’s eyes, except for the narrator, Ephraim Mackellar who is Henry’s steward. In the eyes of their father and all the town’s people, James is correct. James goes off to war even though it is Henry’s responsibility to go, because James is adventurous and feels that he will gain more honor if he goes to war. James is restless and charismatic whereas Henry is staid and sober. In fact, I’m quite happy at rediscovering this gem that I hope to revisit sometime in the future, including it in my best books alongside Dr. I am not disappointed that I read this novel. I This is the second time I read the Master of Ballantrae and I remembered not loving it the first time around however, as we mature, things change. This is the second time I read the Master of Ballantrae and I remembered not loving it the first time around however, as we mature, things change. I believe modern audiences will feel the same way.more The language was an impediment to my enjoyment. There is silliness in the truth, but sadness, as well. The novel pokes fun at how people that love each other become vultures in the face of loss becoming gain. This is a family with individuals trying to get the better of each other when it appears that the uncle has died. The tontine inevitably leads to cheating, regardless of the family members, no matter how honorable the group of people, the temptation for shenanigans occurs and Stevenson exploits these temptations by contemplating a family: brothers, an uncle, a ward. The Wrong Box by Robert Louis Stevenson is one of his lesser-known works probably because it is a farce revolving around a tontine – a group insurance The Wrong Box by Robert Louis Stevenson is one of his lesser-known works probably because it is a farce revolving around a tontine – a group insurance policy that goes to the last survivor – a bad idea in any era.
I will call this one a middle of the road and will not list with classics because IMHO I do not consider this an exceptional read.more The resolution to the mystery relating to the Flying Scud was for me the highlight, but I would have preferred the main characters have a greater hand in the outcome. Because I never DNF, I waddled through and found some interesting bits. The Scottish dialects and how they are written on the page would hamper most modern readers unwilling to puzzle through. Also, there were bastardizations of the English language, dialects, and nautical verbiage that served as true obstacles to my enjoyment.
The antiquated language served as a real impediment on this one. I read it as part of the Stevenson literary collection but did not enjoy this one as much as I have enjoyed others. It is an epic that takes place over the course of multiple years about the vicissitudes of life and friendship. It is an epic that takes place o The Wrecker by Robert Louis Stevenson was cowritten with his stepson Lloyd Osbourne in 1892 as a sea adventure novel. The Wrecker by Robert Louis Stevenson was cowritten with his stepson Lloyd Osbourne in 1892 as a sea adventure novel.