The story in one page
Oliver Wheatman is a spirited young yeoman who prefers Virgil to warfare. When the 1745 rebellion breaks out, he becomes entangled in the movement while traveling with the sharp-witted Mistress Margaret Waynflete. Moving between improvised disguises and military camps, Oliver eventually trades his rural life for a seat in Parliament. The story follows his growth from a reluctant insurgent into a settled husband and father, eventually returning to the peaceful comforts of the Hanyards. Years later, he reflects on the chaos of the Jacobite march while watching his own children pursue the same fishing hobby that once occupied his youth.
Who's who
- Oliver Wheatman
A studious yeoman who becomes an unlikely soldier and adventurer.
- Margaret Waynflete
A strong-willed woman who accompanies Oliver through the conflict.
- Donald
A stout-hearted, giant of a man who serves the rebellion.
- Lord Brocton
A nobleman whose dragoon regiment pursues the rebels.
- William
A deft and observant valet who assists Oliver with disguises.
What it's really about
- Identity
- A farmer navigating the social ranks of war.
- Domesticity
- The persistent desire for a peaceful home life.
Why it's memorable
- A hostess successfully defending her inn with a dirty broom.
- A young boy proudly presenting a fourteen-inch fish to his parents.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
Oliver and Margaret enjoy a quiet life at the Hanyards, raising their children and watching the next generation replicate their own childhood habits. The memory of the rebellion fades into a background of family warmth.
For your book club
- The ease with which a simple farmer assumes gentlemanly airs.
- How domestic rituals persist even during a military rebellion.