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John Macnab Authorised Edition John Buchan Books

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John Macnab Authorised Edition John Buchan Books

Not long ago I had a very limited appreciation for the works of John Buchan. My relationship with his work was limited at first to 'The 39 Steps', then 'Greenmantle' and eventually many other of Buchan's works. I can say with little reservation that John Buchan was a master storyteller. John Macnab is one of several of Buchan's works best described as whimsical. Find a readable copy, buy it, read it, then pass it on to someone you know who loves a good book...this is a truly wonderful story.


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John Macnab Authorised Edition John Buchan Books Reviews

“The function of man is to live, not to exist.” Jack London, Tales of Adventure

This is a quote John Buchan would probably have agreed with, as the need for constant challenge in order to prevent decay of the body, mind and spirit is a common theme in his books. In fact, he would probably take it even further, seeing lack of challenge as the first step towards a weakening of civilisation. (He has one of his characters expound this view in John Macnab.) In just such a state of ennui do the three protagonists of John Macnab – all men in prominent public positions – find themselves at the beginning of the book. Rather than steal a horse (which is Leithen’s doctor’s light-hearted advice to him) they embark on an adventure that will test their stalking and fishing skills, their physical stamina and risk their public reputations if unsuccessful. ‘You’ve got to rediscover the comforts of your life by losing them for a little.’

Lawyer Edward Leithen (whom we met in The Power-House) along with banker, John Palliser-Yeates, and politician, Charles Lamancha, decamp to the Highlands basing themselves clandestinely at the estate of mutual friend, Archie Roylance. Then the fun begins as they attempt to outwit the forces arrayed against them. The setting gives Buchan the opportunity to display his love of the Scottish countryside with some wonderful descriptions of the scenery. ‘The strong sun was tempered by the flickering shade of the trees, and, as the road wound itself out of the crannies of the woods to the bare ridges, light wandering winds cooled the cheek, and, mingled with the fragrance of heather and the rooty smell of bogs, came a salty freshness from the sea.’

Although a Borderer by birth, Buchan has fun reproducing the Highland dialect of the local ghillies. John Macnab is a light-hearted book and I certainly choose not to take as snobbery the delight the three men take in ‘dressing down’ as tramps or to be offended by some of their more unreconstructed views about social status.

As a backdrop to the exploits of the collective named ‘John Macnab’, there is a charming love story. This features another familiar Buchan theme the man who’s had little to do with women but falls head over heels when he meets someone who is his intellectual match. ‘He saw in that moment of revelation a comrade who would never fail him, with whom he could keep on all the roads of life.’ [Isn’t that lovely?] In an echo of Mr Standfast (which is next month’s Buchan book) the gentleman concerned is attracted, amongst other things, by the fact the lady resembles ‘an adorable boy’.

I really enjoyed revisiting John Macnab. It’s light-hearted and charming and all relayed in Buchan’s elegantly effortless prose.
The book is one of John Buchan's classics (one of the others is the Thirty Nine Steps). However, it is not a tale of international intrigue and derring do. it describes a sporting bet by a group of adventurers who had retired and felt stale from lack of challenge. They bet several Scottish lairds they they can poach a stag or salmon on the lairds' estates, which are heavily guarded. They use all the guile they have used on their international escapades to track the elusive game and avoid the warders. I have read and reread this book over the years, as a retreat to the imaginary world of Victorian and Edwardian Britain, where gentleman are honorable and young women are "lithe and lissome." It cleanses my spirits.
One of my favorite Buchan stories ever! Good quality printing and shipping, too - I highly recommend it!
Wonderful story by a great writer. Nice quality book.
4.0 out of 5 stars What in the World is a Mcnab?, March 3, 2010
By "OleBear" (Oxford, Mississippi, USA) - See all my reviews

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I read a sporting article that referred to a Macnab, and that set me on a journey that ended with my reading of the book "John Macnab." The book is written in British early 20th century style, but it is a light-hearted tale so it is easy reading. I did need a good dictionary in a few places. The book spins a tale about 3 bored-from-success Englishmen in a post-WWI setting. After fighting in the war. they went home, became successful and craved excitement. I'll go no further with the story except to say that they got their excitement. It was adventure and a happy ending without today's super heroes. John Macnab is not for everyone, but I found it an enjoyable change of pace, and I now know what a Macnab is (and would love to try it).
Not long ago I had a very limited appreciation for the works of John Buchan. My relationship with his work was limited at first to 'The 39 Steps', then 'Greenmantle' and eventually many other of Buchan's works. I can say with little reservation that John Buchan was a master storyteller. John Macnab is one of several of Buchan's works best described as whimsical. Find a readable copy, buy it, read it, then pass it on to someone you know who loves a good book...this is a truly wonderful story.