The judgement of history has not been entirely kind to the First Baron Tweedsmuir, as John Buchan became known following the ennoblement that accompanied his appointment in 1935 as Governor general of Canada. Now remembered principally for his thriller, 'The Thirty-Nine Steps', a classic rollicking spy story that has been brought to the cinema or television screen many times (though never once in a version that does justice to the original), Buchan is often pilloried as the embodiment of the worst vices of Britain's imperial past. This is, I think, unfair. It is true that some of his characters offer what now appear to be regrettably racist remarks, though they were sadly representative of views more widely prevalent at the time of his writing.

Despite the enduring success and popularity of 'The Thirty-Nine Steps', and the other novels featuring the slightly wooden and self-regarding heroism of Richard Hannay, I consider that his abiding masterpiece is 'John Macnab', one of my favourite novels ever. Even this marvellously written book does not escape from critical consideration entirely unscathed. Buchan's prose is beautifully pellucid, concise and elegant, and lends an effortless grace to the story. It is, however, a paean to an age of Corinthian values largely of Buchan's own imagining. One feels that even the finest knights of King Arthur's Camelot might have struggled to live up to the values espoused by Sir Edward Leithen and his comrades. That is, of course, no reason not to try, and the book resonates with nobility without ever falling prey to the cloying self-righteousness that might so readily have claimed it if Buchan had not been such a masterful writer and observer of the human condition.

Andrew Greig's novel 'The Return of John Macnab' brings Buchan's Corinthian view bang up to date, with three friends deciding to revive the poacher's challenge in a manner appropriate for the end of the century. The three challengers are of a very different cast from Buchan's trio. Neil Lindores is the analogue for Sir Edward Leithen, the intellectual power house (- yes, a quiet Buchanesque pun for the cognoscenti) and emotional touchstone of the new trio, and perhaps the closest resemblance to a Buchan character. He is partnered with Alasdair Sutherland, a former Special Services operative, and Murray, a would be political activist who has gradually lost his fire as family responsibilities exert their force. This is to be the last major prank for the three of them before middle age take its toll.

Following Buchan's original, the three issue challenges to a selection of Highland landowners signed in the cognomen 'John Macnab' undertaking to bag a salmon, brace of grouse and a stag respectively. The three estates to which the challenges are issued are, however, rather different from those in Buchan's novel: the first is owned by a Moroccan prince, the second by a consortium of billionaires headed by a Dutch merchant banker, while the third is the royal estate of Balmoral.

In Buchan's book, the driving force behind the challenge was the feeling of ennui suffered by the three would be poachers. In Greig's novel, there are slightly different motives behind the prank. Neil has been burdened by grief following the sudden death of his wife four years earlier; Alasdair is driven by misdirected rage arising from his failing relationship with his wife; Murray wants to strike a blow for the rights of the common man, and to puncture the hegemony of absentee landowners over much of the land in the Highlands.

Buchan's three campaigners find themselves being helped by Fish Benjie and, later, Crosby, a journalist who is also 'a bit of a sportsman'. Greig's three protagonists find themselves unmasked early on by Kirsty Fowler, a local journalist who is fleeing from demons in her own past and who more or less hijacks their plans, with devastating consequences.

Although not written in prose quite as beautiful as Buchan's, Greig's novel stands as a rattling good read in its own right, and a powerful act of homage to the earlier work. I rather fancy that, given suitably sympathetic treatment, they might both make enchanting films.

For anyone wishing to know more about both books I would refer you to John Corbett's glorious review, written in Lowland Scots dialect available at: www.arts.gla.ac.uk/scotlit/asls/John_Macnab.html.

I read one of Andrew Greig's books before and liked it but this one was hard going.
Its a re enachment of John Buchan's book by the same name.
To poach a fish, grouse and a deer from 3 different Scottish estates.
Characters were not very convincing. Found it hard going in places.
Glad to finish it. ( )

After a run of sub-par books I picked up The Return of John Macnab in need of a good read and knowing that Andrew Greig rarely disappoints. He didn't let me down.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Return of John Macnab. Greig's prose is as beautiful as ever, but I'll confess that the plot had me so enthralled that I raced through without really taking enough time to fully appreciate the quality of the writing - definitely one for the re-read list. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys books about Scotland and adventure. ( )

A beautiful novel, which does justice to John Buchan's masterful original.
Three disaffected friends, disconsolate at the gradual onset of middle age, decide to update the John Macnab story, sending out challenges to three Highland landlords, stating their intention to bag, and then deliver, a salmon, brace of grouse or a stag. To add an extra twist the third local estate happens to be Balmoral, where the Prince of Wales is currently in residence.
The three make detailed preparations but do not bargain for the intervention of Kirsty Fowler, local cub reporter with a past, who immediately penetrates their disguise and offers to play Janet Raden to their Macnab.
Greig clearly loves the Highlands, and the scenery is almost a character in its own right.
A beautiful evocation of a Corinthian past that probably never existed, and one of the most enjoyable books I have (re-)read this year. ( )

A great story. I re-read it, shortly after I started reading the sequel 'Romanno Bridge'. It didn't seem as exciting second time round. A bit like looking at photographs of adventures one had as a youth. Romanno Bridge is much more gritty and serious and a perfect way forward for the group of characters. Andrew Greig is a clever writer and a joy to read. ( )