Weir of Hermiston: An Unfinished Romance

"Weir of Hermiston: An Unfinished Romance" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds in a Scottish moorland setting, focusing on themes of familial duty, social morality, and the contrasts between the characters' inner lives and their public personas. The central characters include Lord Justice-Clerk Adam Weir, his frail wife Jean, and their son Archie, whose evolving perspectives on justice, compassion, and authority lay the groundwork for the narrative. At the start of the book, the narrative introduces the tumultuous backdrop of the Weir family, revealing Jean's lineage and Adam Weir's authoritative but unloving nature. The opening chapters depict the strained dynamics of their marriage, characterized by Jean's meekness clashing with Adam's brusque demeanor and staunch adherence to duty. Archie, their son, is caught in the crossfire of his parents' contrasting values. The story hints at Archie's struggle to forge his own identity and grapple with his father's harsh judgments, notably regarding issues of justice represented by Adam's role as a judge. As tensions build, particularly surrounding the moral implications of capital punishment, readers are invited into a story rich with conflict and emotional depth, setting the stage for Archie's eventual quest for reconciliation and self-discovery. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, essayist, poet and travel writer. He is best known for works such as Treasure Island, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Kidnapped and A Child's Garden of Verses.