Atkinson discusses how this is a result of the book being passed down from adults to their children, finding its way into schools' reading lists. The novel was on the market for 17 years, marketed at adults, before an illustrated children's version was released. Atkinson also very accurately depicts Scottish dialogue, a feat that suggests she wrote the book with the help of Scottish immigrants to the Midwest. Interestingly, Eleanor Atkinson had never been to Scotland in her life, but wrote extremely detailed depictions of landscapes of Edinburgh and the Borders, implying that she was very familiar with the country through extensive research. Eleanor Atkinson's novel served as a standardization and popularization of the story in the United States. Prior to this 1912 novel, there were many conflicting accounts of the legend, due to inconsistencies being passed down through generations of Scottish families. This novel is based on the true Scottish story of Greyfriars Bobby. Īilie and Tammy are children from the tenements of Edinburgh. Brown) is the curator of the cemetery where Auld Jock was buried. Private McLean is Sergeant Scott's private. Sergeant Scott is an officer of the Royal Engineers. John Traill is the owner of Ye Olde Greyfriars Dining-Rooms and a landlord. Characters īobby is a Skye terrier from a heathery slope of the Pentland Hills.

Eventually, Bobby finds Auld Jock's grave and guards it day and night. He is lost for a while, and a large reward is offered for his return. Though his owner's body was identified by the man's given name, John Gray, and not as 'Auld Jock', his nickname, people still tell Bobby to look for 'Jock', which just worsens Bobby's pain. Bobby is in great distress but a loyal dog will never leave its owner's side, even after death.Īfter his owner dies, Bobby is lost he can barely function without his companion. This creates problems later, because of Jock's having, in the eyes of the law, 'stolen' an unlicensed dog. They have an intense connection and Jock cares for Bobby very well-though Jock never bought Bobby. The main story of the book is directly adapted from the supposedly true Scottish story of Greyfriars Bobby.īobby spends much time with his master and unofficial owner, ' Auld Jock' ( Scots for 'Old John'), creating a very strong emotional connection. The book is written from the point of view of the dog, which makes every-day events very strange. The narration of Greyfriars Bobby is most unusual. This novel is written from the point-of-view of the dog, Bobby, and uses Scottish dialogue as the novel is set in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The 1961 Walt Disney film Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog was also based on this book. The novel has been adapted into two films: Challenge to Lassie and Greyfriars Bobby.

Greyfriars Bobby is a 1912 novel by Eleanor Atkinson based on the true story of the dog Greyfriars Bobby.

Greyfriars bobby by eleanor atkinson