55 pages • 1 hour read
Walter ScottIvanhoe
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1819A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Ivanhoe by Walter Scott is a historical fiction novel set in 12th-century England, following the knight Wilfred of Ivanhoe as he returns from the Third Crusade to find his father supporting Prince John's usurpation of King Richard I's throne. The story intertwines love, chivalry, and political intrigue, featuring characters like Lady Rowena, the Jewish lender Isaac of York, and the legendary Robin Hood. The novel includes explicit depictions of bias and discrimination related to race, religion, class, and gender.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Walter Scott's Ivanhoe captivates with its vivid historical setting and engaging chivalric romance, praised for its rich characterizations and intricate plot. However, some readers find the pacing uneven and the archaic language challenging. Despite these drawbacks, its depiction of medieval England and timeless themes of justice and honor resonate strongly.
Who Should Read Ivanhoe?
Fans of historical romance and medieval adventure will enjoy Walter Scott's Ivanhoe. Readers who appreciate the chivalric tales and intricate plots found in Le Morte d'Arthur by Thomas Malory or the rich historical settings of Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth will find Scott's novel captivating.