While I knew the name of Sir Walter Scott, I didn't know what he was famous for -- and so the fact that this story is actually an epic, multi-canto poem took me by surprise. As a disclaimer of sorts, please note that I am not a student of poetry and I do not know how [b:The Lady of the Lake|12767|The Lady of the Lake|Walter Scott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348237870l/12767._SY75_.jpg|1332884] stacks up against other narrative poems (of any era). I enjoyed it far more than I had expected. I had thought, from the title, that it was part of the Arthurian mythos, but it is in fact nothing to do with Arthur at all, and instead revolves around two Scottish clans, several people within those clans, and how those characters interact with King James V of Scotland. It was a whirlwind of adventure, well-told and well-paced; a love letter to Scotland's wild heritage and the peoples who called it home.