John buchan biography 39 steps play

John Buchan (1875-1940) had been a prolific published writer for 20 years when he started what would be known as a 'shocker' in 1914. The world was at war, and he found the writing of his slim spy thriller a welcome distraction. He wrote later:

'While pinned to my bed during the first months of war and compelled to keep my mind off too tragic realities, I gave myself to stories of adventure.'

The result, 'The thirty-nine steps', proved an immediate success.

It's a contemporary shocker set very precisely in a few weeks in May and June 1914, before the outbreak of war. The hero is Richard Hannay.

Published first as a serial in the summer of 1915, and in book form in October, over 25,000 copies were sold in the first three months. It has remained in print ever since.

The items we look at on these pages will illustrate the different aspects of the story.

Overview of John Buchan

John The Thirty-Nine Steps - Wikipedia NEQUF