John Buchan

Sir Quixote of the Moors John Buchan

The first novel by John Buchan is a fascinating insight into the themes that would continue to appear throughout all of his later work. Set in 17th century Scotland, the story revolves around the middle aged Jean Sieur de Rohaine and his battle to deal with his sense of duty and emotional weakness, as his old friend, Quentin Kennedy, wages war with unarmed religious dissidents, Covenanters, whom he massacres - A powerful examination of religious fanaticism. John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir, was a British novelist and Unionist politician who, between 1935 and 1940, served as the Governor General of Canada. He was born and primarily educated in Scotland, and further schooled in England, obtaining a degree in Literae Humaniores, and befriending a number of influential future writers while studying at the University of Oxford. After a brief career in law, Buchan began writing and his political and diplomatic career, serving as a private secretary to the colonial administrator of various colonies in South Africa, and eventually wrote propaganda for the British war effort following the outbreak of the First World War. Once back in civilian life, Buchan was elected the Member of Parliament for the Combined Scottish Universities, but spent most of his time on his writing career. He is the author of The Thirty-Nine Steps and other adventure fiction.