Lorna Doone has been my favorite book since I first read it the summer I was thirteen. I checked out an old copy at the public library and since then have read it in other editions, some simplified and condensed versions and even in the old Classical Comics books.
A few years ago I ordered a new edition from a book club society in London, a reprint of the original edition. The book is absolutely beautiful and encased in a boxed binding. What a surprise when I started reading it. The text is written in the old English of the 17th century, as the author wrote it. It was almost like reading a foreign language. After the shock of this discovery, I saw the humor in my situation - having bought an expensive book which I had great difficulty deciphering. I then recognized it a a great educational opportunity for me. I could compare the chapters of the first edition written by the author to those written in today's "modern" English.
Since then, I received an actual two-volume edition of the book published sometime between 1879 and 1899 by the Donohue, Henneberry & Co., Chicago. The books are small hardcovers bound by dark green fabric with silver title inside an ornate silver design, approximately 6" x 4-1/8" x 3/4" in size, 370 pages in volume 1, 385 pages in volume 2. I hope to someday learn the actual date of their publication.
The book has been made into a movie two or three times at least. The movie is long and well worth the time spent watching. My only disappointment was in the image of the characters held in my mind's eye all these years and the totally different ones in the movie. However, the setting is in Exmoor and brings to life that described by the author.
This is a one of a kind book in that it has never been out of print since first published in 1869. The amazing thing is that Blackmore had difficulty finding a publisher at first. It was published anonymously the first year and only sold 300 of a 500 copy release. With the second year of print came great success. Today, this romance is of as much value as an "historical" novel as it is "romance." This is because it so completely describes the culture, its laws, values and ways of live for the time period, as well as the scenes where it takes place. For those not interested in history it is simply a wonderful heartstirring romance.
