Yet another fantastic tale from one of my favorite classic authors! Scott really knows how to spin a good story.
Everything that makes a story good is included in this one: mystery, romance, adventure, danger, conspiracy, pirates, mad old gypsy women, dashing heroes, misunderstandings, murders, kidnapping, mistaken identity, good-hearted country folk, heroines both persecuted and steadfast, and crowning it all that inimitable humor that colors all of Scott's writing.

I laughed and laughed at old Dominie Sampson, and I cried when he cried. My blood froze in horror when our heroes were in danger, and my heart warmed at the fireside of each simple tea service shared by friends.
Excellent and engaging writing, as always, and not nearly as long-winded as Waverley. Love this book so much! It is going on the top of my list of favorite Scott novels.

I read so many of his Scottish novels now that I am learning the lingo, and I don't have to refer to the Scottish glossary as often. Beautiful language with so many historic meanings and words! It really sets the tone of the Scottish books. Wild and unruly and beautiful.

Characters:
Julia is certainly a silly character, but even though Scott is making fun of her, we still feel her charm and wish her "weel" despite her flaws.
Lucy is very admirable, generous and steadfast under hardship, but that makes her almost a boring character in my opinion. Her situation is interesting; she herself is not.

Harry Bertram is a marvelous hero. He makes the most idiotic mistakes from his sense of adventure, honor, or just from not thinking things through or looking ahead to the consequences of his actions. Then we get to see him struggling to get out of his mess, and we end up cheering as he wins his way through.... only to make more idiotic mistakes! haha! Get a clue, Bertram! I just adored his character! He tries so hard to do what is right. A complex fellow.

Guy Mannering himself is definitely the glue that holds the story together, although he is not in that many chapters comparatively. I loved seeing his concern for his daughter, and his desire to be a good father to her. A very complex and deep man with a lot of mental power and charisma.