The Heart of Midlothian by Walter Scott is a historical novel set in 1736 Scotland, following the story of Jeanie Deane who embarks on a journey to London to seek a pardon for her sister, Effie, who has been falsely accused of infanticide. The plot delves into the complexities of Scottish law and society, with a large cast of conflicted characters revealing the social status dynamics and moral dilemmas of the time. The novel combines elements of crime, heroism, madness, and memorable characters, all leading to a satisfying conclusion.

The book is praised for its gripping narrative, strong character development, and the way it contrasts different social attitudes based on characters' backgrounds. It is noted for its sentimental tone and the intricate portrayal of Scottish church politics and laws regarding pregnancy. The Heart of Midlothian stands out for its historical backdrop, engaging plot, and the portrayal of a working-class woman as the central character, providing a unique perspective on adventure and moral dilemmas.

Characters:

Characters are richly developed, particularly the virtuous Jeanie, along with morally complex figures that enhance the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is narrative and tightly plotted, incorporating various historical elements that bridge 18th and 19th-century literature.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot involves a dramatic event with a mob, the trial of a woman accused of infanticide, and the quest of her sister to obtain a royal pardon.

Setting:

The setting oscillates between 18th-century Scotland and London, highlighting significant historical events and societal issues.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, with a slow start improving significantly in the latter half.

Ahora bien, dijo el Cura: traedme, senor huésped, aquesos libros, que los quiero ver. Que me place, respondió el; y entrando en su aposento, saco dél una maletilla vieja cerrada con una cadenilla, y a...

Notes:

The Heart of Midlothian starts with the storming of the Tolbooth in 1736.

The story is centered around a woman named Jeanie Deans who must save her sister Effie from execution.

Effie is accused of child murder under a harsh law from 1690 about hidden pregnancies and dead children.

The character named Wildfire, who leads the mob, is a man dressed as a woman.

Jeanie's father, David Deans, is a strict Presbyterian shaped by religious conflicts.

Jeanie's moral dilemma involves the commandment against bearing false witness to save her sister.

The trial scene is depicted with dramatic tension and influences later writers like Dickens and Hardy.

Jeanie journeys to London to plead for Effie’s life, showing her determination and naivety.

Scott incorporates themes of social class and legal issues of 18th-century Scotland into the narrative.

The story features a blend of romance, crime, and societal critiques through Jeanie's perspective.

Scott used a variety of historical sources in crafting this novel, making it a rich tapestry of historical fiction.

Despite being set in the 1730s, the book was published in 1818, reflecting historical events and attitudes of both periods.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers/content warnings include themes of infanticide, miscarriage of justice, and religious conflict.

From The Publisher:

Jeanie Deans, a dairymaid, decides she must walk to London to gain an audience with the Queen. Her sister is to be executed for infanticide and, while refusing to lie to help her case, Jeanie is desperate for a reprieve. Set in the 1730s in a Scotland uneasily united with England, The Heart of Mid-Lothian dramatizes different kinds of justice - that meted out by the Edinburgh mob in the lynching of Captain Porteous, and that encountered by a terrified young girl suspected of killing her baby. Based on an anonymous letter Scot received in 1817, this is the seventh and finest of Scott's 'Waverley' novels. It was an international bestseller and inspired succeeding novelists from Balzac to George Eliot.

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About the Author:

Walter Scott was born in Edinburgh on 15 August 1777. He was educated in Edinburgh and called to the bar in 1792, succeeding his father as Writer to the Signet, then Clerk of Session. He published anonymous translations of German Romantic poetry from 1797, in which year he also married. In 1805 he published his first major work, a romantic poem called The Lay of the Last Minstrel, became a partner in a printing business, and several other long poems followed, including Marmion (1808) and The Lady of the Lake (1810). These poems found acclaim and great popularity, but from 1814 and the publication of Waverley, Scott turned almost exclusively to novel-writing, albeit anonymously. A hugely prolific period of writing produced over twenty-five novels, including Rob Roy (1817), The Heart of Midlothian (1818), The Bride of Lammermoor (1819), Kenilworth (1821) and Redgauntlet (1824). Already sheriff-depute of Selkirkshire, Scott was created a baronet in 1820. The printing business in which Scott was a partner ran into financial difficulties in 1826, and Scott devoted his energies to work in order to repay the firm's creditors, publishing many more novels, dramatic works, histories and a life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Sir Walter Scott died on 21 September 1832 at Abbotsford, the home he had built on the Scottish Borders.

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The Heart of Midlothian

Walter Scott