''Weir of Hermiston'' (1896) is an
unfinished novel by
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson (born Robert Lewis Balfour Stevenson; 13 November 1850 – 3 December 1894) was a Scottish novelist, essayist, poet and travel writer. He is best known for works such as ''Treasure Island'', ''Strange Case of Dr Jekyll a ...
. It is markedly different from his previous works in style and has often been praised as a potential masterpiece. It was cut short by Stevenson's sudden death in 1894 from a
cerebral haemorrhage. The novel is set at the time of the
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) were a series of major global conflicts pitting the French Empire and its allies, led by Napoleon I, against a fluctuating array of European states formed into various coalitions. It produced a period of Fren ...
.
Plot summary
The novel tells the story of Archie Weir, a youth born into an
upper-class
Upper class in modern societies is the social class composed of people who hold the highest social status, usually are the wealthiest members of class society, and wield the greatest political power. According to this view, the upper class is gen ...
Edinburgh family. Because of his
Romantic sensibilities and sensitivity, Archie is estranged from his father, who is depicted as the coarse and cruel
judge of a criminal court. By mutual consent, Archie is banished from his family of origin and sent to live as the local
laird
Laird () is the owner of a large, long-established Scottish estate. In the traditional Scottish order of precedence, a laird ranked below a baron and above a gentleman. This rank was held only by those lairds holding official recognition in ...
on a family property in the vicinity of the Borders hamlet Hermiston.
While serving as the laird, Archie meets and falls in love with Kirstie (Christina). As the two are deepening their relationship, the book breaks off. Confusingly, there are two characters in the novel called Christina, the younger of whom is Archie's sweetheart.
Sequel
According to Sir Sidney Colvin,
quoting Stevenson's stepdaughter, Stevenson intended the story to continue with the seduction of (young) Kirstie by Archie's dissolute friend Frank Innes. Kirstie's four brothers believe that Archie is the culprit and vow revenge on him. However, Archie has meanwhile confronted Frank and killed him, and is arrested for murder. He is tried for his life before his father (this is legally implausible, as Weir Snr. should have recused himself from presiding) and condemned to death. But the older Kirstie discovers the truth and tells the brothers, who break the jail and release Archie. Archie and his beloved Kirstie flee to America, presumably to live happily ever after.
This summary has much in common with the plot of
Bulwer-Lytton Bulwer-Lytton is a surname, and may refer to:
* Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–1873), novelist and politician
* Rosina Bulwer Lytton (1802–1882), feminist writer and wife of Edward Bulwer-Lytton
* Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of ...
's novel ''
Paul Clifford
''Paul Clifford'' is a novel published in 1830 by English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton. It tells the life of Paul Clifford, a man who leads a dual life as both a criminal and an upscale gentleman. The book was successful upon its release. It i ...
'' (1830).
Dramatisation
An adaptation of the novel by R.J.B. Sellar was staged at The
Gateway Theatre in Edinburgh in 1956 and 1958.
BBC adaptations
* The
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
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...
.
* A 2-part
.
song "Weird of Hermiston" gets its name from the book, although the lyrics make no reference to the story.
* In the movie version of ''
'', one of the characters has memorized the book, and is teaching it to his nephew before he dies.
* The Robert Louis Stevenson website maintains a complete list of derivative works.
* The city of
takes its name from the book.
'' makes humorous reference to the book in Season 9, Episode 5: "Danger Island: Strange Doings in the Taboo Groves."