The Master of Ballantrae

The Master of Ballantrae is a historical novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson and first published in 1889.

Set in Scotland during the Jacobite rebellion in 1745, this novel delves into the complicated relationship and enmity between two brothers, James and Henry Durie, from a noble Scottish family.

Certain circumstances of the war will break the already deteriorated relationship between the two brothers, and this conflict will be the main axis of the narrative, halfway between adventure novel and family drama.

While James is portrayed as immoral and selfish, as well as seductive and charismatic, Henry is selfless and sincere, but very dull and always in his brother's shadow when it comes to winning his father's favor.

The novel deals with themes such as rivalry, resentment, and the consequences of our actions.

"The full truth of this odd matter is what the world has long been looking for, and public curiosity is sure to welcome. It so befell that I was intimately mingled with the last years and history of the house; and there does not live one man so able as myself to make these matters plain, or so desirous to narrate them faithfully."