I gotta say,
I've never heard the name before. I will have to check Wikipedia to learn more.

I've only read The Thirty Nine Steps, and it's all because DTR and Valia were talking about Buchan in the Books! thread.

I would love to be able to find Prester John (which I believe is DTR's favourite?), but so far, no luck.

I guess not many have heard of John Buchan.

From the recommendations, I really need to read The Thirty Nine Steps.

The only book I have read of Buchan's is Prester John, but that was years ago (twice), 'though it has certainly stuck with me. I agree with DTR that it is a favourite read! There is something quite epic, yet very personal, as well as really memorable, about the story ... plus being full of adventure. My dad introduced me to the book; he has a very old copy of it. ♥ Hmm, I wonder if he has any of Buchan's other works. Must check on that. (Yes, Mel, do try and get hold of PR.)

Do you ever have the experience of visualizing a particular scene in your mind, but haven't the foggiest from where it originated? I had this happen with a few scenes from Prester John some time after my first read, then when I finally figured out where those visuals were from, I nabbed the book from dad mighty quick for a second read. Now I'm itching to take it up again.

A pity more folk haven't read Buchan's works.

Anyway, this Special Feature will be closing Tuesday evening, March 2. Further discussion may take place in the Books thread.

Oddly enough, I was just looking up John Buchan at my library. I didn't know we had a SO on him until this morning. I watched the new PBS version of The 39 Steps last night and I liked it. I've never seen the Hitchcock version. I was looking into seeing if we have any of his books. They seemed like they would be high quality adventure stories.

Did you like Thirty Nine Steps, Mel? I'm sure you've said, but I can't recall.

Let me know what you think of Thirty Nine Steps when you read it, Jo! And I need to read, well, tons of Buchan, including Prester John.

Kate, it's been a long time and I've only read one book ( ), but I have it on good authority that his books are quite good. Unlike you, though, I know for sure that almost all, if not all, of his books are just in the next room.

Besides Kate, did anyone watch the adaptation last night? As far as adaptations go, it wasn't particularly faithful (I haven't read the book in years and even I could tell ), but I liked it well enough, though. A few things, though, That all said, though, I liked it well enough.
I loved seeing Stirling Castle in it! I didn't recognise the interior, though, so I'm not sure whether A) they did a lot of dressing to the rooms B) they filmed the interior shots elsewhere or C) it was a part of the castle that is closed off to the public (and that's the castle we accidentally traipsed up through the gallery and unto the roof on our last visit to it ). I'm leaning towards B, but I could be wrong.
I liked Victoria's coat (though you couldn't see much of the dress under it) and loved her blue outfit in the second half.

Edit: And it's not like there's ever been a faithful adaptation of Thirty Nine Steps and I wasn't expecting it to be, so...

Sorry I didn't post anything here earlier. I've heard of John Buchan. I think I knew he was Scottish. But I've never read any of his works. I saw the Hitchcock version of The Thirty-Nine Steps early last year. I really liked it, esp. the plot. It was one of my favorite Hitchcock films.

I'm pretty sure I enjoyed Thirty Nine Steps when I read it, and I remember thinking that a bunch of it was really familiar so I might have read it more than once. However, once or twice, I don't remember very much of the story.

On the other hand, going through the list of things I remember, I keep adding stuff. None of them include a lady but I'll include a summary for y'alls entertainment...

Spoiler

Basically, there was this guy (retired soldier?) who rented a flat and met this other guy who faked his death because he needed to hide for a few days. Then the other guy really died, and the hero needed to finish the mission, so he left town and met a big game hunter and there were car break downs and explosions and maybe I'm mixing this up with The Man Who was Thursday? Anyway, he winds up on the coast and watches these three guys who are supposed to be spies but are acting very innocent. He goes in and outbluffs them and they all live happily ever after. Except the spies, who go to jail. Or die in an explosion. One or the other.

You should try reading some of his books sometime, 220. I'm glad you liked the Hitchcock film---that was actually the reason I read the book in the first place. I wanted to see the film and my parents (at least my dad) said to read the book first. That was, oooh...7? 8? years ago and I still haven't seen it.

Well, glad you at least think you liked it, Mel. I don't recall a lady, either. If there was one, she had a very small part (or didn't last long ). And what you remember is actually probably a bit more than what I remember. Okay, that probably didn't all need to be in spoilers.

And, Jo, what exactly is Prester John about?

I've only read his 39 Steps. It was better than the Hitchcock movie (which changed a lot) but doesn't hold up very well today. That's not Buchan's fault, it's that so many have replicated his adventure/spy thriller novels.