MOUNTAIN MEADOW

by John (Lord Tweedamuir) Buchan ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 17, 1941

This final volume in the Greenmantle series gives one a haunting sense that John Buchan was foreshadowing his own death, and sharing with his readers, his philosophy, his concept of the meaning of victory over life and death. He does this in the story of a man who knew himself doomed to brief span of life, and who chose, at the risk of shortening that span, to ""die on his feet"", fulfilling his destiny of doing for others. The man was Lord Leithen, and it is his story, and not Hannay's nor Clanroyden's this time. The setting shifts, early in the scene, from London, to French Canada, then to the wilds of the Arctle, in quest of two missing men, and of the mysterious Sick Heart River. Through this quest, and the adventures that befell him, he comes closer to the meaning of life and death, he saves others from madness, he deliberately sacrifices another chance for health for himself to a final demand. Throughout, the story is full of those unforgettable passages of sheer beauty for which Buchan's novels are memorable and one shares with him the feel of the country against which his story is set. There is a long introductory section by Howard Swiggett, a tribute to Buchan's contribution to literature, an analysis of the stories and their sources, and enough outline of character and plots to give the reader, newcomes to Buchan's work, not only thorough comprehension of Mountain Meadow, but the urge to go back to the earlier books. Use this as a chance for plus sales.

Pub Date: March 17, 1941

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Houghton, Mifflin

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1941

Categories: FICTION