The Path of the King by John Buchan

The story revolves around a young man who returns to his homeland after years abroad and becomes embroiled in a struggle between good and evil. He must confront his own past and the darkness that has taken hold of his family's legacy. Along the way, he discovers hidden strengths and faces difficult choices that will determine the fate of those he loves.

By John Buchan · First published 1938 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Fantasy · 14 chapters · 98,923 words

First lines

When Biorn was a very little boy in his father's stead at Hightown he had a play of his own making for the long winter nights. At the back end of the hall, where the men sat at ale, was a chamber which the thralls used of a morning -- a place which smelt of hams and meal and good provender. There a bed had been made for him when he forsook his cot in the women's quarters. When the door was shut it was black dark, save for a thin crack of light from the wood fire and torches of the hall. The crack made on the earthen floor a line like a golden river. Biorn, cuddled up on a bench in his little bear-skin, was drawn like a moth to that stream of light. With his heart beating fast he would creep to it and stand for a moment with his small body bathed in the radiance. The game was not to come back at once, but to foray into the farther darkness before returning to the sanctuary of bed. That took all the fortitude in Biorn's heart, and not till the thing was dared and done could he go happily to sleep.

What this Textopian page supports

The Path of the King is listed on Textopian as a novel by John Buchan, dated 1938 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: John Buchan
• Date: 1938 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Drama, Philosophical
• Length: 98,923 words
• Structure: 14 chapters, 1,377 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Path of the King by John Buchan
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering The Path of the King?
• How does this novel by John Buchan fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?

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Genres

• Adventure — The narrative features a journey filled with challenges and exploration.
• Historical Fiction — The story is set against a backdrop of historical events and figures.
• Fantasy — Elements of magic and mythical themes are woven into the plot.
• Drama — The characters experience significant emotional and moral conflicts.

Tags

Adventure · Fantasy · Historical Fiction · Mystery · Romance · Coming-of-Age · Quest · Good vs Evil · Friendship · Love Triangle · Self-Discovery · Personal Growth

Contents

• Hightown under Sunfell
• The Englishman
• The Wife of Flanders
• Eyes of Youth
• The Maid
• The Wood of Life
• Eaucourt by the Waters
• The Hidden City
• The Regicide
• The Marplot
• The Lit Chamber
• In the Dark Land
• The Last Stage
• The End of the Road

More by John Buchan

• Mr Standfast (1915)
• The Far Islands (1899)
• The Thirty-nine Steps (1915)
• Greenmantle (1916)
• Prester John (1910)
• The Company of the Marjolaine (1908)
• A Lucid Interval (1927)
• The Lemnian (1908)
• All works by John Buchan