The Master of Ballantrae (also The Master of Ballantrae or The Master of Ballantrae ; The Master of Ballantrae: A Winter's Tale ) is a historical novel by Scottish writer Robert Lewis Stevenson , published in 1889 . It tells about the rivalry and adventures of two brothers during the Jacobite revolt .
| Lord Ballantre | |
|---|---|
| The Master of Ballantrae: A Winter's Tale | |
 First Edition Cover | |
| Author | Robert Lewis Stevenson |
| Genre | adventure novel |
| Original language | English |
| Original published | 1889 |
| Publisher | Cassell (UK) |
Content
Various editions
In the first edition of 1889, the book begins immediately with the first chapter. In the second ("Edinburgh") edition, Stevenson added a preface that said that the author received the manuscript of the novel from a friend. There is a third version of the publication, in which a βnoteβ from the editor is added.
Story
The narrative is filed as a memoir by Ephraim McKelard, a servant on the Darrisdir estate in Scotland (with two fragments written by Colonel Francis Burke). The action begins in 1745, in the year of the second Jacobite revolt. When the handsome Prince Charlie rebels, by the decision of his father, the two brothers of Darrisdir - James and Henry, should split up: one of them should join the rebels, and the other - the royalists. Thus, whichever side wins, the estate will remain in the possession of the family. The youngest of the brothers wants to join the rebels, but the eldest is against, and they cast lots. The elder wins and goes to the Jacobites, and the younger remains to support King George II .
The rebels lost, the older Darrisdir is considered dead. Henry becomes the heir, but does not accept the title of the owner of Ballantre. At his fatherβs insistence, Henry would marry his brotherβs bride to improve their marital status. It takes several years. The townspeople do not like Henry, since they consider him a traitor to the uprising. Father and wife treat him with complete indifference, because they grieve over the deceased James, the favorite of the family. Soon considered dead, James returns and begins to blackmail Henry, threatening to destroy his family and lose his title. Difficult trials change Henry, turning into a gloomy and reserved person, obsessed with one thought - to destroy his brother, who poisoned his life.
Actors
- James Darrisdir, Lord of Ballantre
- Henry Darrisdir, James's younger brother
- Ephraim McKellar, servant, narrator
Films
- Boss Ballantre - 1953 film (USA), directed by William Kylie .
- Boss Ballantre - 1984 film (USA), directed by Douglas Hickox.