Lorna Doone

Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor, written by R. D. Blackmore and first published in 1869, is a classic Victorian novel set in 17th-century rural England. It follows John Ridd, a sturdy farmer’s son from Exmoor, whose father is murdered by the notorious Doone family, a clan of outlaws terrorizing the moors. Seeking justice, John encounters the beautiful Lorna Doone, a captive among the Doones who is not truly one of them, sparking a forbidden romance fraught with danger, revenge, and revelations about her noble origins. The story weaves themes of love triumphing over vengeance, loyalty to family and king, and the harsh beauty of the Devon-Somerset landscape, culminating in dramatic confrontations that allow John and Lorna to unite despite betrayal and violence. Celebrated for its vivid descriptions of nature and richly drawn characters, the novel blends adventure, romance, and social commentary on class and justice.