
A restless young man named Robert Wodrow is haunted by the loss of his first love, Ellinor, and the expectations of a family that cannot understand his yearning for escape. Pressed by his mother’s grief, his father’s stern reproach, and a lingering sense of failure at university, he decides to abandon his studies and enlist as a soldier, hoping the rigors of military life will drown the ache of his broken heart.
As Robert steps onto the road that leads away from the familiar hills of Invermay, he is thrust into a world of strict discipline, camaraderie, and the harsh realities of 19th‑century army life. Early drills, rough barracks, and the promise of a future commission test his resolve, while the specter of his past quietly lingers, shaping his choices. Listeners will be drawn into his inner conflict and the vivid portrait of a young man seeking purpose beyond the shadows of lost love.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (249K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Al Haines
Release date
2021-10-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1822–1887
A hugely popular Scottish novelist and historian of Victorian Britain, he wrote adventure stories, military romances, and vivid books about Edinburgh that reached a wide readership in his own lifetime. His work blends fast-moving plot with a strong feel for history and place.
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