We are delighted to announce the launch of The Great North Road, a captivating historical tale given its long-awaited conclusion by author Stuart Campbell. This novel began life with the master of Scottish letters, Robert Louis Stevenson, and has finally been brought to publication, over a century after it was laid aside.
The Great North Road is an exciting narrative set against a backdrop of highwaymen, murder, and doomed romance. Stevenson himself was enthusiastic about the project, hoping it would match the success of Treasure Island. However, he abandoned the manuscript in 1886 after writing 16,000 words, leaving behind another of the many unfinished works that marked his prolific but often inconsistent career.
Stuart Campbell has stepped in as a literary detective, using Stevenson’s own documented list of twenty-five intended chapter headings to construct a faithful and gripping ending. This edition not only completes the adventure but also features Campbell’s insightful introduction, which explores the compelling reasons why Stevenson left so many of his fictional works incomplete.
This is a unique opportunity for readers to finally experience a classic RLS story as it was meant to be read.
Join the Book Launch Events
We invite you to celebrate this significant literary achievement and meet Stuart Campbell in person at one of two launch events in Scotland.
Edinburgh: The Great North Road by Robert Louis Stevenson, with Stuart Campbell
Join us in the city of RLS’s birth for an exclusive evening event at one of Scotland’s best-known booksellers.
- When: Wednesday, 12th November, at 7:00 PM
- Where: Blackwell’s Bookshop, Edinburgh
- Tickets & Details: Tickets and further information are available via Eventbrite.
Glasgow Launch: Afternoon at Hillhead Library
Glasgow readers are welcome to an afternoon event in the city’s West End.
- When: Saturday, 22nd November, at 2:00 PM
- Where: Hillhead Public Library, Glasgow