Ballads

"Ballads by Robert Louis Stevenson" is a collection of spirited narrative poems from the 1800s, drawing on legends from the Pacific Islands and Scotland to spin yarns of love, deceit, and the tricky parts of being human. Showcasing Stevenson's skill with words, the pages whisk readers away to realms both real and imagined. Standout ballads include "The Song of Rahéro," which follows a Tahitian fisherman caught in a dangerous trap of treachery, and "Ticonderoga," detailing conflicts between clans in Scotland. Each ballad paints vivid pictures of its setting with memorable characters, such as the priest in "The Feast of Famine" who makes a risky play during a famine, and "Heather Ale," which examines the fallout from one leader's thirst for a secret drink, leading readers to ponder the strength and fragility of life.