Lorna Doone

More about the book

First published in 1869, "Lorna Doone" tells the story of John Ridd, a farmer who finds love amid the religious and social turmoil of seventeenth-century England. As a boy, John witnesses the murder of his father by the Doones, a lawless clan inhabiting the wilds of Exmoor. Driven by curiosity and adventure, he ventures into the Doone valley, where he meets the beautiful Lorna. Their childhood fantasies evolve into a deep, mature love, compelling John to rescue Lorna from the harshness of a stormy winter. This quest reignites a fierce conflict with his rival, Carver Doone, culminating in tragic violence. Celebrated for its portrayal of star-crossed lovers and its vivid depictions of the English countryside, "Lorna Doone" remains R. D. Blackmore's enduring masterpiece.