The Lady of the Lake is a narrative poem set in the Trossachs region of Scotland. There are three main plots going at once: the constant war between the high and lowland Scots (the "Gaels" and "Saxons"), a battle between three men to win the heart of the young and alluring Ellen Douglas, and the feud and eventual rapprochement that occurs between James V (cunningly disguised and going by the alias James Fitz-James) and James Douglas. This is the first of Scott's work I've read and I'm already a huge fan. The Lady of the Lake is beautiful. Scott's emotive description is so eloquently written; he truly captures the Highlands in all its beauty. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this poem and look forward to more of Scott's work.

"So wondrous wild, the whole might seem
The scenery of a fairy dream."

I'm not entirely sure if I like rhymed poetry but there are some beautiful parts and Scotland is always appreciated.

Well, it was shorter than Waverley. Probably pretty teachable, especially for the moments where it’s trying to invent “correct” forms of nationalism and reconcile them with all this chivalry. Might also be interesting to think about the role of the poet/minstrel within the poem as someone with near-magical power. I’m not sure why I find it so hard to get interested in / enjoy Scott.

An enjoyable narrative poem.

While I knew the name of Sir Walter Scott, I didn't know what he was famous for -- and so the fact that this story is actually an epic, multi-canto poem took me by surprise. As a disclaimer of sorts, please note that I am not a student of poetry and I do not know how [b:The Lady of the Lake|12767|The Lady of the Lake|Walter Scott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348237870l/12767._SY75_.jpg|1332884] stacks up against other narrative poems (of any era). I enjoyed it far more than I had expected. I had thought, from the title, that it was part of the Arthurian mythos, but it is in fact nothing to do with Arthur at all, and instead revolves around two Scottish clans, several people within those clans, and how those characters interact with King James V of Scotland. It was a whirlwind of adventure, well-told and well-paced; a love letter to Scotland's wild heritage and the peoples who called it home.

3.5/5. I love poetry, so it was beautiful to read, but I struggle a bit remembering everything in an epic poem so half the time I was trying to remember what was going on haha