But if you manage to doff your modernity at the door when you enter into this world Miss Porter has created, and let yourself enjoy this story for what it is, you shouldn't be disappointed.īack in 2016 I read a book from 1907 called The Delicious Vice. These are old-fashioned concepts these days - people want a hero with a dark side, and for heroines to fight alongside the heroes, not to spend their time praying all night in chapels. I can easily see why Wallace would have been an object of adoration when this book was popular - he was handsome, always did the right thing, suffered much, remained steadfastly loyal to his country, his people, and his God, and was the epitome of what a hero should be. But it works, when you remember when this book was written and the audience for whom it was intended.

Yes, the women (well, except one) seem too pious and sweet to be real, but when push comes to shove, they show gumption as well (in a ladylike manner, of course). Yes, the men in this story hug each other and cry as heroes today would scorn to do. This book is full of excitement, battles, tragedy, and heroic deeds, as any tale of William Wallace should be, and above all, it is full of emotion. Let yourself enjoy this as it was meant to be enjoyed. Don't read along with modern skeptical or sarcastic comments in your head as you go. My advice to anyone who reads this - let yourself get swept away in it.

I read many of them a few times over just out of sheer enjoyment, because they were so exquisitely crafted. One of the things that struck me as I read was how incredibly beautiful the speeches and descriptions are. But it is truly a treasure if you can immerse yourself in the fashions of the time and enjoy it for what it is: a beautifully-written tale of adventure well seasoned with moral leaven.

I quote this to establish that even then, this book was considered quaint and out of date. You wouldn't get through it, I fancy and as for poor, dear, prosy Richardson, his letter-writing heroines would bore you to death.' 'We cried over as much as you do over your 'Heir of Clifton,' or whatever the boy's name is. 'Bless me!' exclaims Mrs Warburton in fond remembrance. One of the books Alcott mentions is The Scottish Chiefs. The books mentioned in this story are all real books, and I've had the pleasure of hunting for and finding many of these enjoyable titles over the years. One of the stories contained therein is called Pansies, and in it some teenaged girls and Mrs Warburton, the elderly lady of the house the girls are staying at, discuss books they've read and their tastes in literature.

I learned about The Scottish Chiefs from the same person from whom I learned about many old-fashioned books: Louisa May Alcott, in her book A Garland for Girls.

The Scottish Chiefs by Jane Porter