Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott is a classic beloved by all of us at Plumfield. Diane and I have each read it multiple times, often considering it as a book club guide. And yet, for some reason—whether time or inclination—we’ve never sat down to write a review of this essential novel.
Years ago, we chose to focus on reviewing lesser-known books, assuming that classics like Ivanhoe needed no introduction. Lately, however, I’ve begun to realize that Ivanhoe is either less widely read than I thought or is slipping out of favor. Too many avid readers I know are unfamiliar with this captivating tale of love, prejudice, knights, fair maidens, political intrigue, tournaments, and even merry yeomen clad in Lincoln green. That worries me. How can such a beautiful and noble story no longer be considered essential reading?
But I digress.
My love for Ivanhoe began in the early 1980s when I first watched the Anthony Andrews TV adaptation. I have vivid memories of my little brother and me watching it again and again on Saturday mornings while playing with Legos or board games. I fell in love with Ivanhoe, Rebecca, and Wamba long before I was old enough to read Scott’s novel. When I finally reached the shelf where the book lived, I found it easy to read—my love for the story carried me through Scott’s rich and complex language. At first, I was confused by characters absent from the adaptation, but then I realized I was getting more of the story—like a second helping of my favorite dessert.
Years later, as a young mother, I searched high and low for the best version of Robin Hood to share with my son, wanting him to love the legend as I did. To my surprise, it wasn’t until I reread Ivanhoe that I realized where my fascination with Robin, Will Scarlet, and Friar Tuck had truly begun: Scott’s novel. One young writer captured this sentiment perfectly in an Instagram video, calling Ivanhoe “Robin Hood fan fiction.”
Again, I digress. This book looms so large in my imagination that writing a simple review feels impossible.
Wilfrid of Ivanhoe is the last true heir to the Saxon throne. But in what his father sees as betrayal, he joins the Norman King Richard on a Crusade. Upon his return, he finds himself disinherited, his beloved betrothed to another, and England on the brink of turmoil as Prince John schemes to seize the throne. Disguised as pilgrims, Ivanhoe and Richard sneak back into England to assess the situation and plot their next move.
The novel’s plot is masterful—reminiscent of The Odyssey, where heroes return home to find everything in disarray, forced to remain hidden until they can reclaim what is rightfully theirs. With romance, adventure, and treachery, it’s the perfect book to savor over a snowy weekend. But it is also much more than that.
Scott weaves together a complex tapestry of lovers, usurpers, faithful servants, persecuted Jews, and clashing social classes. His world is rich with action, intrigue, and moral questions that remain relevant today. Beneath the tournaments and castles lies a story wrestling with timeless themes—identity, loyalty, justice, and power.
This classic is well worth your time. It offers a window into a world both exotic and familiar, old yet strikingly relevant, beautiful yet brutal. If you haven’t read Ivanhoe yet, I encourage you to step into its pages and discover why it has captivated readers for generations.