The Waverley Novels, Volume 1, Including (complete and Unabridged) : Waverley, Guy Mannering, The Antiquary

Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832) was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, he was the first to attain international popularity in his lifetime and many of his novels have become classics. Scott achieved international fame through his poetry, but he wanted to write novels documenting his research into the oral tradition of the Scottish Borders. This type of literature was considered inferior to poetry as a vehicle for expressing historical epics. Hence, he started writing the Waverley Novels anonymously. As more and more novels were published he became known as "The Author of Waverley" or "The Wizard of the North". Amongst some circles it was an open secret that Scott was the author, but he maintained the faade. In 1815 he dined George, Prince Regent, who wanted to meet the "Author of Waverley". This volume contains the first three Waverley Novels: Waverley: This is a story based around the Jacobite rising of 1745. Edward Waverley is English and has been brought up by his Tory uncle, who is sympathetic to Jacobitism, although Edward's father is a Whig. Waverley obtains a commission in the Whig army and is posted in Dundee. However, when he is on leave he falls in love with Rose, the daughter of his uncle's Jacobite friend, Baron Bradwardine. The name 'Waverley' is symbolic of Edward's divided loyalties. Guy Mannering is travelling in Scotland and arrives at a Laird's house, one of the great and ancient names in Scotland. The Laird's son is newborn and Guy Mannering, uses astrology to predict the son's fate. Alarmed by his predictions Guy determines to give up fortune telling, but his predictions come true and this is the outworking of the story. The Antiquary has a brilliant plot with humorous observations and is Scott's favourite novel. A mysterious young man called 'Lovel' travels to the Scotish seaside town of Fairport. He is befriended by the antiquary Jonathan Oldbuck, who unravels Lovel's true identity. The Antiquary wrestles with how we understand the past so as to redeem the future.