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800slim's review against another edition
3.0
likable characters, classic plot-elements (the princess, the villain, the poet, the unlikely hero) but hasn't imho aged very well, I found the language and writing style quite dated which distracted from the wonderful story.
cdbert's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The adventure is seriously marred by the author's prejudices and politics. I could have done without the conspiracy fueled racism, and less of the nationalist chest thumping, since it was totally irrelevant to the narrative - there was nothing about the villains that required them to be Russian. They could well have been French or Australian.
Fully agree with the reviewer who said this was a Tucker Carlson style book. I've enjoyed Buchan in the past, but I cannot recommend this one.
Fully agree with the reviewer who said this was a Tucker Carlson style book. I've enjoyed Buchan in the past, but I cannot recommend this one.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Ableism
jonathanpalfrey's review
3.0
I read this book as a child in the 1960s. Returning to it at last in 2022, I vaguely remembered that I liked it; and I'm pleased to find that I still like it.
It has some drawbacks. Almost every feature of the story is implausible, and the dialogue is so Scottish that some words are incomprehensible to me as an Englishman.
However, it makes a good story nonetheless. Starting off gently, it becomes exciting as it goes along, and it's relatively concise, being a short novel. The characterization of Dickson McCunn is engaging, and the Gorbals Die-Hards are a wonderful creation, lifting the story out of the usual run of early 20th century adventure novels. It occurs to me now that they remind me somewhat of the Nac Mac Feegles, created much later by Terry Pratchett.
The book was written just over a century ago: it was first serialized in a magazine in 1921, just a few years after the First World War. The Russian Civil War was still continuing at the time, and some participants in this story are involved in it; even though the story is set entirely in Scotland.
I see that some readers foolishly criticize the book for a few minor sins against modern ideas of political correctness. The book was written in a different age, what do you expect? "The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there." You should bear this firmly in mind when reading any old book.
Most of the books that I read were written during my own lifetime. In general, I find that the older the book, the more alien to me is the writing style and the thinking behind it. In this particular case, the book is only a century old, and I find the writing style and the thinking behind it clearly not modern, but still tolerable; you may differ.
I gave this book four stars initially, but on reflection I've reduced it to three. I did enjoy reading it, and it was definitely worth reading; but it's sufficiently old-fashioned and implausible that I probably won't reread it often.
It has some drawbacks. Almost every feature of the story is implausible, and the dialogue is so Scottish that some words are incomprehensible to me as an Englishman.
However, it makes a good story nonetheless. Starting off gently, it becomes exciting as it goes along, and it's relatively concise, being a short novel. The characterization of Dickson McCunn is engaging, and the Gorbals Die-Hards are a wonderful creation, lifting the story out of the usual run of early 20th century adventure novels. It occurs to me now that they remind me somewhat of the Nac Mac Feegles, created much later by Terry Pratchett.
The book was written just over a century ago: it was first serialized in a magazine in 1921, just a few years after the First World War. The Russian Civil War was still continuing at the time, and some participants in this story are involved in it; even though the story is set entirely in Scotland.
I see that some readers foolishly criticize the book for a few minor sins against modern ideas of political correctness. The book was written in a different age, what do you expect? "The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there." You should bear this firmly in mind when reading any old book.
Most of the books that I read were written during my own lifetime. In general, I find that the older the book, the more alien to me is the writing style and the thinking behind it. In this particular case, the book is only a century old, and I find the writing style and the thinking behind it clearly not modern, but still tolerable; you may differ.
I gave this book four stars initially, but on reflection I've reduced it to three. I did enjoy reading it, and it was definitely worth reading; but it's sufficiently old-fashioned and implausible that I probably won't reread it often.
pithingcontest's review against another edition
2.0
[3/10] If Tucker Carlson had a wet dream where he was 1922 James Bond. Those eeevil commie bogeymen, amirite fellow members of the middle class? Almost gave it one star for all the one-nation Toryism, but the prose wasn't the worst to read, even though I was rolling my eyes the whole time. Reads like a political cartoon in every possible way.
irongold's review against another edition
4.0
Very well-written story about a poet, a businessman, and six "Boy Scouts" who band together to save a Russian princess from a forced marriage with a Bolshevik officer.
richardhannay's review against another edition
4.0
A great story with Russian aristocrats facing soviet agents and retired grocers from Glasgow, old ladies and radical poets stepping up to defend law and order. Suffers a bit from the lack of a sufficiently scary villain and the abuse of Scots gets sometimes tiresome but....Pure Buchan. Energy, adventure, open spaces.... And a distinct absence of cynicism or nihilism, the two imposters of our age. Buchan is pre-postmodern. A dialogue like this one is simply unconceivable today (Dickson, the proud middle aged, middle class protagonist is adressing the Gorbal Die-Hards "underprivileged" children from the worst neighbourhood in Glasgow that have decided to create their own Boy Scout's troop:
" None of you has ever had a proper chance or been right fed or educated or taken care of. I’ve just the one thing to say to you. From now on you’re my bairns, every one of you. You’re fine laddies, and I’m going to see that you turn into fine men. There’s the stuff in you to make Generals and Provosts—ay, and Prime Ministers, and Dod! it’ll not be my blame if it doesn’t get out.” Dougal listens gravely and again salutes. “I’ve brought ye a message,” he says. “We’ve just had a meetin’ and I’ve to report that ye’ve been unanimously eleckit Chief Die–Hard. We’re a’ hopin’ ye’ll accept.” “I accept,” Dickson replies. “Proudly and gratefully I accept.”
Reading Buchan I can see what we have lost. Whatever we might have won is far more elusive.
" None of you has ever had a proper chance or been right fed or educated or taken care of. I’ve just the one thing to say to you. From now on you’re my bairns, every one of you. You’re fine laddies, and I’m going to see that you turn into fine men. There’s the stuff in you to make Generals and Provosts—ay, and Prime Ministers, and Dod! it’ll not be my blame if it doesn’t get out.” Dougal listens gravely and again salutes. “I’ve brought ye a message,” he says. “We’ve just had a meetin’ and I’ve to report that ye’ve been unanimously eleckit Chief Die–Hard. We’re a’ hopin’ ye’ll accept.” “I accept,” Dickson replies. “Proudly and gratefully I accept.”
Reading Buchan I can see what we have lost. Whatever we might have won is far more elusive.
bookpossum's review against another edition
2.0
A rip-roaring adventure, marred by the ugliness of Buchan's anti-Semitism. The damsel in distress was pursued by people who wanted to get the jewels with which she had been entrusted. "But behind them were the Jews, and behind the Jews our unsleeping enemies." (page 120)
What I find really chilling about this quite unnecessary reference to Jewish people being cast as part of an evil conspiracy, is that it was perfectly acceptable and unremarkable to have it appear in a book published in 1922. John Buchan became Baron Tweedsmuir and was a Governor-General of Canada. He was part of the establishment, not a member of a lunatic fringe group. And that leaves a nasty taste in my mouth.
It certainly knocked a star off what would otherwise be a solid three star adventure.
What I find really chilling about this quite unnecessary reference to Jewish people being cast as part of an evil conspiracy, is that it was perfectly acceptable and unremarkable to have it appear in a book published in 1922. John Buchan became Baron Tweedsmuir and was a Governor-General of Canada. He was part of the establishment, not a member of a lunatic fringe group. And that leaves a nasty taste in my mouth.
It certainly knocked a star off what would otherwise be a solid three star adventure.
briegordon's review against another edition
4.0
This book is dreamy and seems so far away from reality that it's an escape. However gripping it may be, it took me an immensely long time to finish it because of the difficult dialect and expressions. Also I was very uneducated about the context so I would reccomend reading up about the Russian revolution before reading. Despite these challenges, the story is fast paced and exciting and the characters are quirky and endearing. All in all, I would reccomend it if you're willing to go on a long-winded romp full of funny and heart warming moments.
smessmores's review against another edition
3.0
Having read both The 30 Steps and Greenmantle, Huntingtower was not a surprise and just as enjoyable. Buchan has a great way of writing adventure stories that make you remember you're still in your armchair and yet keep you completely engrossed. I fully enjoyed Dixon's adventure.