
Set during the 1745 Jacobite uprising under Bonnie Prince Charlie, D. K. Broster’s The Gleam of the North is the second of the Jacobite Trilogy.It follows on from the first instalment, in which the intersecting fortunes of two men, who at first glance seem almost complete opposites, are at the centre of the story. Ewen Cameron, a young Highland laird in the service of the Prince, is dashing, sincere, and idealistic, while Major Keith Windham, a professional soldier in the opposing English army, is cynical, world-weary, and profoundly lonely. When a second-sighted Highlander tells Ewen that the flight of a heron will lead to five meetings with an Englishman who is fated both to do him a great service and to cause him great grief, Ewen refuses to believe it.But as Bonnie Prince Charlie’s ill-fated campaign winds to its bitter end, the prophecy is proven true—and through many dangers and trials, Ewen and Keith find that they have one thing indisputably in common: both of them are willing to sacrifice everything for honour’s sake…Adapted for BBC Radio in 1960, this is an unmissable read to complete your collection!
The prophecy of a second-sighted Highlander binds the fates of a Highland laird and an English major amidst the collapse of the 1745 Jacobite uprising. Ewen Cameron, a sincere and idealistic supporter of Bonnie Prince Charlie, finds his path repeatedly crossing with Major Keith Windham, a cynical professional soldier serving the opposing crown. Their relationship is defined by a foretold cycle of service and grief, forcing both men to navigate the shifting loyalties of a fractured Scotland. The narrative follows their parallel perspectives as they confront the physical dangers of a failing military campaign and the logical constraints of their conflicting allegiances.
Readers frequently highlight the author's ability to balance historical accuracy with the intimate development of the two central figures. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the prophecy as a structural device that maintains tension throughout the campaign. Critics note that the prose captures the somber atmosphere of the Jacobite defeat while avoiding overly sentimental depictions of the conflict. The contrast between Ewen's idealism and Keith's world-weariness provides a stable foundation for the narrative's exploration of honor. Many readers appreciate how the book functions as a character study within a broader historical framework.
Page Count:
288
Publication Date:
1975-01-01
Publisher:
Penguin Books
ISBN-10:
0140040153
ISBN-13:
9780140040159
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