R.D. Blackmore's 1869 novel Lorna Doone is summarized in three sentences: The novel tells the story of John Ridd, who falls in love with Lorna Doone as a child after encountering her in the valley where the once noble but now outlaw Doone family lives in isolation. Several obstacles stand in the way of John and Lorna's relationship, including John's desire for revenge against the Doones for killing his father and Lorna's status as the granddaughter of the Doone family's leader. The plot follows John and Lorna overcoming threats from the brutal Carver Doone and other complications to find a chance for happiness together.