Anne of Geierstein; Or, The Maiden of the Mist. Volume 1 (of 2)

"Anne of Geierstein; Or, The Maiden of the Mist. Volume 1 (of 2)" by Walter Scott is a historical novel written in the early 19th century. The story is set in Switzerland during the mid-15th century and centers around the characters of Arthur Philipson and his father, who are depicted as merchants on a journey through the mountainous landscape. The narrative explores themes of adventure, danger, and the interplay between nature and human experience. At the start of the novel, we meet Arthur and his father as they travel through the stunning yet treacherous Swiss mountains towards Basel. Their journey is marked by an intense storm, causing them to lose their way and encounter numerous challenges, including a perilous precipice. As Arthur attempts to find a safer route, he faces moments of grave danger, including a near encounter with a falling rock and ominous visions of a vulture, which heightens the tension. The storytelling evokes vivid imagery of the Alpine scenery while introducing elements of folklore and hints of impending adventure, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet, was a British novelist, poet and historian. Many of his works remain classics of European and Scottish literature, notably the novels Ivanhoe (1819), Rob Roy (1817), Waverley (1814), Old Mortality (1816), The Heart of Mid-Lothian (1818), and The Bride of Lammermoor (1819), along with the narrative poems Marmion (1808) and The Lady of the Lake (1810). He had a major impact on European and American literature.