Master of Ballantrae: A Winter's Tale

"This tale of hate is probably Stevenson's best book. . . Its blend of historical romance, travel fantasy and gothic nightmare makes it deeply pleasurable."

-Jonathan Jones, art critic, The Guardian, 2009

The Master of Ballantrae (1889) by Robert Louis Stevenson is set during a 19th-century uprising in Scotland, weaving the tale of James Durie, who abandons his family and his title of Master of Ballantrae to support the rebellion. When, after years of fighting and piracy, he returns to Ballantrae and reclaims his inheritance, a feud with his brother reveals his evil nature. According to the author, Durie is "all I know of the devil," and his manipulative and seductive character drives a narrative that is both tragic and compelling.