Rating: 
Summary: Implausible, wordy, characters not believable
Review: I am a big fan of nineteenth century English fiction, but this novel did not live up to my expectations. The biggest problem was that the characters were simply not believable. The author never drew me in and got me to care about what happened.
Rating: 
Summary: a classic classic!
Review: I have no idea how I ever missed this book before. Not only had I never read it, I can't honestly remember ever hearing about anyone else reading it either. The writing is luxurious; the story is compelling and the characters are full and richly drawn. Please read this book and recommend it to your friends; let's not let it fall into the has-been classics category!
Rating: 
Summary: Too much talk
Review: I read this book for English class and I have to say that this book is just not something a teenager would like reading. It's too long and not so interesting. John, talks to much about anything...I can go on about this! I found myself skipping through chapters. There is just too much talk.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Good
Review: I was surprised that Lorna Doone by Richard Blackmore was a good as it turned out to be. It had a very compelling story and good characters even if the novel seemed a bit wordy at times. Lorna Doone is also the single best example of a romantic novel. It may not be among the very best of this category (like The Scarlet Letter, Moby Dick, or any of Jane Austen's novels), but it does fit every criteria. It had a major emphasis on feeling as the whole of the book is a love story between John Ridd and Lorna Doone. The book also has a lot of high adventure in it and an emphasis of nature (Blackmore was just about the only English forerunner of Thomas Hardy in novels in this respect). The novel was even about the common man. The plot of the novel follows John Ridd. He is a respectable farmer who one day happens into the valley of the Doone's, a family/community of outlaws who had killed his father. There, he ends up falling in love with one of the Doone's own, Lorna. Then, John has to find a way to save his love and overcome their differences of birth. Lorna Doone is a very interesting read. It may not be for everyone because it is long and does tend to dwell on some trivial things for a bit too long. The novel would be good for anyone who likes classics of romanticism. Lorna Doone can be a very worthwhile read.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful old-fashioned read
Review: I'd read Lorna Doone years ago, and fortunately, was re-reading it when I had to spend an emergency stint in the hospital. The book kept me enthralled, in another world entirely, day & night. Oddly enough, the very problem I'd had, erysipalis (don't mind the spelling) was mentioned in the book (the woman died of it; I didn't!) We don't need Reality! We need Passion, Moors, Wicked folks, Good folks, and Love!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent romantic and historical novel
Review: Lorna Doone is a blend of romance and historical fiction. It is both a romantic and action novel. The Doones are a large outlaw clan who were cheated out of their wealth and privilege (they are based on a real historical group of outlaws), who live in Badgworthy Valley and regularly rob and terrorize the local community. For various reasons they are left alone by the authorities and allowed to multiply mainly by kidnapping local women for their wives. The story is told by John Ridd whose father is killed by one of the Doones when John is 12. One day John accidentally wanders into Doone Valley, where he meets 8 year Lorna. He is immediately smitten and what seems an impossible romance develops several years later. The brutal Carver Doone wants Lorna for his wife, so John must rescue her. The Doones, of course, want her back. John and Lorna also have to overcome differences in rank (she has it, he doesn't), money (she has a lot more than he does) and religion (she's Catholic, he's Protestant). Blackmore's book vividly describes the Devon countryside in which the novel is set, and the lifestyle of a yeoman farmer. Some people may find all these details unnecessary, and a distraction from the central story but I really enjoyed learning about the lifestyle of late 17th century rural England. The story is set against the historical backdrop of the death of King Charles II, the Monmouth Rebellion, the brutal suppression of that rebellion by Judge Jeffreys known as the Bloody Assizes, and the short-lived assent of the very Catholic King James to the throne (and fears of 'Papist' rule). I recommend doing some brief research on these events on the Internet before reading this book. An understanding of the historical context will make this an easier and more understandable read. If you enjoy a good romance novel you will love this book. If you enjoy historical fiction you will also love this book. This book is moving, action packed and educational.
Rating:
Summary: More than just the story.
Review: Lorna Doone is a classic tale of romance and bravery, vengance and villany. What is important about the book besides the story is the societal subtext. When you read this book you get a picture of what made the British Empire great. We see Master Jan, or John Ridd, a simple squire, who catches his own fish, harvests his own wheat at the head of his labourers. This humble man is not afraid to take matters all the way up to his king and expect justice in return. We see a comedy of errors as militia groups vie with each other and end up fighting each other instead of the enemy. The whole tale is told amid the last battles ever fought on English soil during the little known Monmouth rebellion. A remarkable and noteworthy book, which tells more than the main story. It is both a great read and a portrait of English rural society of the time.
Rating:
Summary: More than just the story.
Review: Lorna Doone is a classic tale of romance and bravery, vengance and villany. What is important about the book besides the story is the societal subtext. When you read this book you get a picture of what made the British Empire great. We see Master Jan, or John Ridd, a simple squire, who catches his own fish, harvests his own wheat at the head of his labourers. This humble man is not afraid to take matters all the way up to his king and expect justice in return. We see a comedy of errors as militia groups vie with each other and end up fighting each other instead of the enemy. The whole tale is told amid the last battles ever fought on English soil during the little known Monmouth rebellion. A remarkable and noteworthy book, which tells more than the main story. It is both a great read and a portrait of English rural society of the time.
Rating: 
Summary: ROMANCE AND ADVENTURE IN 17TH CENTURY ENGLAND
Review: Novels written in the last century are not everyone's cup of English tea, so taste thereof with literary trepidation. This book is quite different from Blackmore's AT THE BACK OF THE NORTH WIND; no intertwined Fact and Fantasy here, but a curious blend of Romance and Adventure, as if the author were not entirely certain which genre he was brewing up in the wild countryside. In my opinion, LORNA is much more readable and almost enjoyable. If was slow getting into, but one must make allowances for Blackmore's (to us) antiquated style: archaic vocabulary, country dialect to slog through, plus religious and political warfare--obscure historical references for most Americans. Expect highly improbable plot contrivances, with unrealistic events thrown in to help the romantic protagonists. Yet for the majority of the novel, the plot moves right along over several years, to reach a satisfactory denoument, with most of the young people married off and Justice being served. The tale opens when 12-year-old John Ridd (the hero/narrator) of Somerset returns home from school to discover that his father has beem murdered by a renegade band of footpads and cutthroats--the Doone clan. That den of some 40 thieves has long been a thorn in the side of honest landowners and the local constabulary. John encounter their sweet young "Queen" Lorna, who wants none of their mayhem, on several occasions during her childhood, until they finally meet as teens, though he is much older. His heart is instantly captivated; thus he undertakes to win her love, which is difficult considering the bitter feud between their families and her elevated social class. As if Love cares for mere class distinctions! Many years pass with counterplots and revolutionary hopes, espionage for the King and a secret gold mine. Yet our hero will have none but his beloved Lorna, as he researches her mysterious background. Blackmore's style includes sly humor, wry wit and jibes at London in general, as he spins this rustic tale of Romance and Adventure. The plot is chaste and the vocabulary might prove too great a challenge for junior high kids. The novel was written before there was a Young Adult market, but it would be fine for diehard Romance fans or students of 19th century literature.
Rating: 
Summary: An epic adventure
Review: The story is great, the characters memorable and the setting is truly great. I only gave it 4 stars because I think the are some better adventure books like "Treasure Island" or "King Solomon's mines"
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