Set in 17th-century Scotland, the story follows a young minister named David Sempill who arrives in the village of Woodilee, only to discover that his parishioners are secretly practicing ancient pagan rituals in the nearby forest. As he grapples with his faith and the community's resistance, David becomes embroiled in a struggle between good and evil, facing both supernatural forces and human treachery. The novel explores themes of religious zeal, moral integrity, and the clash between tradition and progress, all set against the backdrop of a vividly depicted Scottish landscape.
The 5022nd greatest book of all time
John Buchan (1st Baron Tweedsmuir) was a Scottish novelist and public servant who combined a successful career as an author of thrillers, historical novels, histories and biographies with a parallel career in public life. At the time of his death he was Governor-General of Canada.
Buchan was educated at Glasgow and Oxford Universities. After a brief career in law he went to South Africa in 1902 where he contributed to the reconstruction of the country following the Boer War. His love for South …
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