The Strange Adventure of Mr. Andrew Hawthorn
A Scots gentleman named Andrew Hawthorn, known for his meticulous habits and scholarly pursuits, mysteriously disappears one morning after a quarrel with his sister over breakfast. His sudden absence sparks a widespread search, but no trace of him is found, leading many to presume he is dead. His sister, however, steadfastly believes he will return, maintaining his place at the breakfast table. In reality, Hawthorn has been attacked by a group of ruffians while investigating a valuable archaeological find with a packman named Bauldy Grieve. After being knocked unconscious, he is kidnapped and sold into indentured servitude in the Carolinas, where he endures harsh treatment but gradually regains his strength and memory. Despite his circumstances, he earns respect among fellow laborers and eventually becomes the butler for a wealthy planter. As he settles into this new life, he learns of his sister's unwavering hope for his return. Determined to reclaim his life, he saves money for his passage back to Scotland. However, his journey is fraught with challenges, including capture by a French privateer during the ongoing war. After escaping, he navigates through France, disguising himself as a Jacobite to survive, and eventually makes his way back to England. Upon returning to Scotland, he arrives home on a bright May morning, mirroring the day of his departure. He finds his sister still waiting for him, with two bowls of porridge prepared just as he left them. In a moment of nostalgia and irony, he resumes his life as if no time has passed, reflecting on the extraordinary adventure that had transpired during his absence.
By John Buchan · First published 1926 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Mystery · 2,836 words
First lines
Any disappearance is a romantic thing, especially if it be unexpected and inexplicable. To vanish from the common world and leave no trace, and to return with the same suddenness and mystery, satisfies the eternal human sense of wonder. That is why the old stories make so much of it. Tamlane and Kilmeny and Ogier the Dane retired to Fairyland, and Oisin to the Land of the Ever Living, and no man knows the manner of their going or their return. The common world goes on, but they are far away in a magic universe of their own.
What this Textopian page supports
The Strange Adventure of Mr. Andrew Hawthorn is listed on Textopian as a short story by John Buchan, dated 1926 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: John Buchan
- Date: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Literary Fiction
- Length: 2,836 words
- Structure: 1 section, 34 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Strange Adventure of Mr. Andrew Hawthorn by John Buchan
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Strange Adventure of Mr. Andrew Hawthorn?
- How does this short story 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 plot revolves around Mr. Hawthorn's unexpected disappearance and subsequent journey filled with challenges and exploration.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a historical context, reflecting the social and cultural aspects of 18th-century Scotland and the Carolinas.
- Mystery — The initial disappearance of Mr. Hawthorn creates a central mystery that drives the narrative.
- Romance — Themes of longing and the romantic notion of adventure and return are present in Mr. Hawthorn's journey.
Tags
adventure · mystery · thriller · suspense · historical · fiction · Scottish · detective · intrigue · action · plot twist · character study