heathssm's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
isabelle_mace's review
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
bibliophilelinda's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent story! Though it took me a couple chapters to come up to speed with the backstory, as I did not research the history prior to reading the first few chapters, the plot eventually sorted itself out and became a thoroughly enjoyable read. Set in the 12th century, Ivanhoe, for those who do not know it's literary significance, is the novel by which the tales of the legendary Robin Hood are derived, though Locksley (Robin Hood) is not a central character in the story. The novel actually centers around two knights. The first knight is Wilfred of Ivanhoe, the disinherited son of Cedric the Saxon. Cedric, a staunch Saxon purist is determined to see a Saxon King on the throne of England and has renounced his son after Ivanhoe claimed allegiance with the Norman King Richard the Lionhearted. The second knight is called the Black Knight or the Knight of the Fetterlock, and is a most accomplished savior for the distressed and downtrodden. As it turns out, the Black Knight actually is King Richard, though we do not find this out until half-way through the tale. Both the Black Knight and Ivanhoe have many adventures throughout the book: rescuing fair maidens, fighting against corrupt Templar Knights, averting dangerous plots of political upheaval, fighting rogue bandits, and many more. This is a wonderful story of adventure, love, betrayal, honor and courage. If you enjoy the style by which many of the 19th century classics were written, you will love this book!
shashank_srivastava's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent literature. Brilliantly woven plots that revolve around ancient England. Best part of this classic novel is the central character Ivanhoe's chivalry and valiance. Despite being injured and not in love with Jewess Rebecca, he comes to save her life. For a non native English speaker, language is a bit difficult to understand since many words used in this novel are not in fashion anymore.
juliwi's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes the Universe comes together and lets you read a book you've been trying to find the time for for a University module. The Universe came together for me and I got to read Ivanhoe a few weeks ago. As a Medievalist it's almost my duty to read this novel and pass judgement on its use of the Middle Ages, so here I am.
Scott is credited with making the Middle Ages popular again, with saving it from being seen as a terrible and dark time in human history that has nothing redeemable to it. Of course this is not down to just Scott, but his Waverley-novels and especially Ivanhoe were a major part of it. Setting his novel in the 12th century, Scott used his extensive historical and literary knowledge to fashion a credible medieval setting for his story. The Medievalist will easily pick out certain things that aren't originally 12th century but for any "casual" reader Scott's medieval England will feel true and interesting. However, it might also feel too intense because his descriptions can feel like museum info. Whether it's the detail of a belt buckle or an explanation of the architectural benefits of a certain type of tower, Scott will tell you almost everything. For some readers this'll be great because it adds to the story. For others it will become too much about four pages in. As far as historical fiction goes, it falls significantly onto the historical side in that sense.
Scott can also be credited not only with reviving interest in the Middle Ages but also in "creating" the Middle Ages. Bringing in certain stock characters from what children now know as 'medieval', Richard Lionheart, Prince John etc., reading Ivanhoe feels like a return to those childhood stories. What one needs to realise though is that the reason these stories are familiar is because Scott introduced many of their components into popular culture. I'm trying very hard not to spoil the plot of the novel here, but by reading Ivanhoe everyone will find themselves recognizing story elements and what some think of as the mythology of England.
I really enjoyed reading Ivanhoe, a lot more than I was expecting even. It's not necessarily an easy read and its density can become a bit much at times. It's a rather rewarding read, however, and it will have you on the edge of your seat at many times. I'd recommend this to fans of historical fiction.
For full review: http://universeinwords.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/review-ivanhoe-by-walter-scott.html
Scott is credited with making the Middle Ages popular again, with saving it from being seen as a terrible and dark time in human history that has nothing redeemable to it. Of course this is not down to just Scott, but his Waverley-novels and especially Ivanhoe were a major part of it. Setting his novel in the 12th century, Scott used his extensive historical and literary knowledge to fashion a credible medieval setting for his story. The Medievalist will easily pick out certain things that aren't originally 12th century but for any "casual" reader Scott's medieval England will feel true and interesting. However, it might also feel too intense because his descriptions can feel like museum info. Whether it's the detail of a belt buckle or an explanation of the architectural benefits of a certain type of tower, Scott will tell you almost everything. For some readers this'll be great because it adds to the story. For others it will become too much about four pages in. As far as historical fiction goes, it falls significantly onto the historical side in that sense.
Scott can also be credited not only with reviving interest in the Middle Ages but also in "creating" the Middle Ages. Bringing in certain stock characters from what children now know as 'medieval', Richard Lionheart, Prince John etc., reading Ivanhoe feels like a return to those childhood stories. What one needs to realise though is that the reason these stories are familiar is because Scott introduced many of their components into popular culture. I'm trying very hard not to spoil the plot of the novel here, but by reading Ivanhoe everyone will find themselves recognizing story elements and what some think of as the mythology of England.
I really enjoyed reading Ivanhoe, a lot more than I was expecting even. It's not necessarily an easy read and its density can become a bit much at times. It's a rather rewarding read, however, and it will have you on the edge of your seat at many times. I'd recommend this to fans of historical fiction.
For full review: http://universeinwords.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/review-ivanhoe-by-walter-scott.html
impla77's review
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book is like historical historical fiction. I appreciate learning about the origin of popular tropes in the Robin Hood myth, but I found this quite dull and the characters very 1D. Just dragged on a bit too long. Rebecca was much more interesting than Rowena anyway..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Racism
Moderate: Sexual violence and Violence
2shainz's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3.5 stars
Original review here: http://shainareads.blogspot.com/2015/01/ivanhoe-week-6-recap-final-review.html
Over the past six weeks, Rachelle (http://thereadingwench.com) and I have gone on quite the adventure through the Middle Ages. We've met haughty Normans and hotheaded Saxons; we've followed valiant jesters and chivalrous bandits through battle and deceit; we've been swept up in forbidden and unrequited romance; we've watched both selfishness and selflessness, in turns, rule the day; and we've laughed quite a bit along the way. Never again will I underestimate someone's ability to fixate on his dinner above all else (Athelstane, I'm looking at you. And, if we're being honest, I feel you, man.) Much like Rachelle, I was surprised at how infrequently we saw our title character, though he (of course) arrived in the end to tie our pretty bows for us.
Still, this book only just hit a 3.5 star rating for me (rounded down on GR). I look back on the story as a whole with a smile, but the reading itself tried me at times. I blame my attention span more than Scott's writing, which (as I've mentioned) is surprisingly accessible for being centuries-old. A few plot points (Rebecca falling head over heels for Ivanhoe, Ivanhoe's wounds healing in such a timely fashion, Bois-Guilbert pitching over dead during the trial by combat) were too neat for me.
Perhaps I would have enjoyed this better had I not broken it down into weekly readings, but, at the same time, I just might have abandoned it altogether when the going got especially tough. The read-along kept me honest, and I appreciated the built-in excuse to pace my reading when things got slow.
Overall, I truly am glad to have this classic under my belt, even if it won't end up being one of my favorites.
Original review here: http://shainareads.blogspot.com/2015/01/ivanhoe-week-6-recap-final-review.html
Over the past six weeks, Rachelle (http://thereadingwench.com) and I have gone on quite the adventure through the Middle Ages. We've met haughty Normans and hotheaded Saxons; we've followed valiant jesters and chivalrous bandits through battle and deceit; we've been swept up in forbidden and unrequited romance; we've watched both selfishness and selflessness, in turns, rule the day; and we've laughed quite a bit along the way. Never again will I underestimate someone's ability to fixate on his dinner above all else (Athelstane, I'm looking at you. And, if we're being honest, I feel you, man.) Much like Rachelle, I was surprised at how infrequently we saw our title character, though he (of course) arrived in the end to tie our pretty bows for us.
Still, this book only just hit a 3.5 star rating for me (rounded down on GR). I look back on the story as a whole with a smile, but the reading itself tried me at times. I blame my attention span more than Scott's writing, which (as I've mentioned) is surprisingly accessible for being centuries-old. A few plot points (Rebecca falling head over heels for Ivanhoe, Ivanhoe's wounds healing in such a timely fashion, Bois-Guilbert pitching over dead during the trial by combat) were too neat for me.
Perhaps I would have enjoyed this better had I not broken it down into weekly readings, but, at the same time, I just might have abandoned it altogether when the going got especially tough. The read-along kept me honest, and I appreciated the built-in excuse to pace my reading when things got slow.
Overall, I truly am glad to have this classic under my belt, even if it won't end up being one of my favorites.
allencscholl's review
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
kurtie's review against another edition
4.0
Fun, adventurous, classic. Also a good bridge between fantasy and historical fiction.
benjames's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5