The novel follows the story of a young woman, Mary, who is abandoned by her family and left to fend for herself in the wilds of Scotland. She is taken in by a kindly old woman, who teaches her the ways of the land and how to survive. Mary soon discovers that she has a special gift, the ability to communicate with animals. She uses this gift to help her survive in the wild, and to protect her from the dangers of the land. As Mary grows older, she meets a young man, John, who is also living in the wilds. The two become close, and eventually fall in love. But their love is threatened by the secrets of Mary's past, and the danger of the wilds. The novel follows Mary and John as they struggle to survive in the wilds, and to find a way to be together. Along the way, they discover the secrets of Mary's past, and the truth about the mysterious Waif Woman.
By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1916 · Genre: Adventure, Romance, Fantasy