Freaks on the Fells: Three Months' Rustication

"Freaks on the Fells: Three Months' Rustication" by R. M. Ballantyne is a humorous novel written in the mid-19th century. The story revolves around Mr. John Sudberry, a vivacious yet clumsy London merchant, who decides to relocate his family to Scotland for their summer holiday. The book presents a comedic exploration of the Sudberry family as they navigate the challenges and eccentricities of both their new environment and their lively personalities. The opening portion introduces us to Mr. Sudberry, his hasty decision-making, and the unique characteristics of his family, including his timid clerk and delicate wife. We see Mr. Sudberry's impulsive spirit when he announces the move to the Scottish Highlands, which baffles his wife but leads to a series of amusing exchanges about the journey and potential challenges ahead. As they arrive in their new home, Mr. Sudberry's boisterous nature creates humorous chaos, especially when his son Jacky gets into trouble, setting the tone for the family's adventurous summer filled with fishing expeditions and picnics that promise both delight and calamity. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Michael Ballantyne was a Scottish author of juvenile fiction, who wrote more than a hundred books. He was also an accomplished artist: he exhibited some of his water-colours at the Royal Scottish Academy.