The Great Scot: A Novel of Robert the Bruce, Scotland's Legendary Warrior King

Rating:
Summary: If you like a good story, you'll like this book!
Review: FINALLY a novel about Robert Bruce, one of the most, if not THE most, influential figures in Scottish history.
Fascinated by the life of Robert Bruce since my Scottish grandfather related the the legend of "Robert the Bruce and the Spider" to me as a child, I have been waiting for someone to tell this story. It was worth the wait! If you are a fan of adventure and heroism combined with a bit of intrigue and treachery, this book is for you.
Beginning with Bruce's murder of the "Red" Comyn, a bitter rival for the Scottish throne, the tale only gets better. Narrated by Davie Crawford, a long time aid and confidant, the reader learns of Bruce's early defeats, his decision to wage guerilla warfare against the superior English forces which began to turn the tide, and culminates with his ultimate victory over the English at Bannockburn.
With the immediate threat eradicated, "Guid King Robert" still has to face the danger of more invasions while trying to unite Scotland under his rule. Before his death in 1329 he lives to see peace between England and Scotland, final recognition of Scotland as an independent nation, and Papal recognition of his title as "King of Scots".
I really enjoyed this book.





Rating:
Summary: Great Scot, a great novel
Review: I just finished Great Scot, the historic novel of the reign of the Scottish King, Robert the Bruce, written by Duncan Bruce. I found the novel not only well written but very entertaining reading. Mr. Bruce used a third party to tell the story that provided a very intimate viewpoint to a great man's life and times. This third party approach made King Robert and his historic contemporaries and the times they lived in very lifelike. This novel starts and expands on the Scottish freedom story started by Sir William Douglas, the hero of the movie, Braveheart. Also, this is a novel that is full of significant history that is presented as a compelling and integrated background of this great story. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in a very entertaining novel of a great man. This is truly a great story for all to read.

Rating:
Summary: Too much left untold
Review: If you let the first 5 chapters influence you - you won't finish this book. They were bad. After that the story finally picked up and the characters becames interesting enough to finish. I think that this is a first look at Robert the Bruce --and agree with the other reviewer that the man has been unjustly over-shadowed by William Wallace thanks to the movie Braveheart. However, that probably happened because there wasn't a story exciting enough about Robert the Bruce to turn it into a movie...this one isn't either.

What's good about it - the character holds an interesting place in history. There are battle references, there is court intrigue, there are murders and kidnappings and mysterious illnesses and all of the things that keep the story interesting so you plod on. It is a fast read and a simple read.

What didn't I like? Robert suffers from a strange malady that appears from time to time and threatens his life. However, the author discusses it almost as though it were unimportant. You never do find out what it might have been. Also - he paints Edward Bruce as much more of a military tactician and the battles are less than vividly portrayed. He also makes it very clear that Robert the Bruce was a womanizer who had mistresses slug out all over Scotland and was more than ready to use them for food, money and protection ...along with other things...when and ONLY when it was convenient to him. He supposedly loved only one woman in his life....yeah right. If anything this makes him less than valiant and noble in my opinion and the book would have been better with fewer women falling into his bed at every turn -- history certainly remembers him for deeds far more interesting.

Lastly, the author obviously has a good grasp on languages. However, he uses it sporadically and his timing is bad. The characters can go on for pages with all of their conversations recounted in English for the reader. Then suddenly when a very important speech is made the author writes it in some phonetic form of Scots and it stops ALL of the momentum he has built to that moment. You slow down and try to figure out what the speech even was and then suddenly everyone is speaking English again and the story goes on. However, the author does this not only in Scots, but French and Latin as well. There is no rhyme or reason as to which lines of which conversations must suddenly appear in another language - but I think it was a bad attempt to show off his linguistic skills and that it was NOT an enhancement for the story.

I understand it is his first work of fiction. It's not terrible but it's certainly not a 5 star book. I won't keep my copy - it's in the library donation box now. I also wouldn't recommend it to anyone. If you like the subject matter - give it a whirl but wait for the paperback price. If you don't - this probably won't make you want to read more about Robert Bruce. It's been suggested I try works by Nigel Tranter instead and that's what I intend to do.