Customer Reviews

Kidnapped

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Originally written as a boy's adventure novel, modern readers will probably consider it more a book for adults. My father gave it to me when I was eight, after I'd read _Treasure Island_, and I disliked it then immensely, put off by the lack of plot movement, the Scots dialect, and the total absence of pirates. Re-reading it now on the Kindle, I admit it's a lot more enjoyable, partly because the Kindle's dictionary helps translate some of the Scots dialect, partly because I'm a more mature reader.

The plot is fairly straightforward (skip this paragraph if you want to avoid spoilers): Our Hero, David Balfour, is tricked out of his rightful inheritance by an evil uncle, shanghaied, shipwrecked, partnered with a historical figure (one Alan Breck Stewart) and caught up in the events of an unsolved historical mystery (the "Appin Murder"). The body of the novel is a day-by-day description of their flight through the Scottish highlands, on the run from the Redcoat troops searching them out.

Overall, the novel succeeds in creating some degree of tension and suspense, especially in the first half or so, with some classic melodrama elements. The latter half of the novel drags a bit, though, and would probably be less appealing to younger readers and more enjoyable for readers more interested in Stevenson's prose style. There is a great deal of Scots dialect, but the most obscure words are footnoted and some (but not all) of the less-obscure words are in the Kindle's dictionary.

Overall, I'd recommend this highly to a fan of books like Sir Walter Scott's _Waverly_ or _Rob Roy_, or to anyone who had a particular love of historical fiction set in the 18th-century scottish highlands.

There is a sequel, written by Stevenson, with the alternate titles of _David Balfour_ and _Catriona_. Those wishing more information about the "Appin Murder" can find a chapter discussing it in Andrew Lang's "Historical Mysteries" (also available as a free Kindle download).

I was surprised to see some reviewers didn't like this wonderful book. If you have trouble with the Scottish accent, read it out loud, use your imagination, and if you still can't figure it out, skip a bit. (Do you insist on understanding every single word spoken in a movie?)

This is the story of a young man overcoming adversity to gain maturity and his birthright. It moves right along, in Stevenson's beautiful prose. Read, for example, this sentence from Chapter 12: "In those days, so close on the back of the great rebellion, it was needful a man should know what he was doing when he went upon the heather." Read it out loud; it rolls along, carrying the reader back to Scotland, even a reader like me, who doesn't know all that much about Scottish history. Kidnapped is by no means inferior, and in many ways superior to the more famous Treasure Island.

Only two points I would like to bring up: I bought the Penguin Popular Classics issue, and have sort of mixed feelings. Maybe some day I'll get the version illustrated by Wyeth. I'm not sure whether this book needs illustrations, though. Stevenson's vivid writing is full of pictures.

In Chapter 4, David makes a point of saying that he found a book given by his father to his uncle on Ebenezer's fifth birthday. So? Is this supposed to show how much Ebenezer aged due to his wickedness? If anybody could explain this to me, please do.
This was originally posted in 2000. I am updating it in June 2006: many thanks to alert reader Beth Smith, who very kindly informed me that the significance is that David's father was older than the uncle. Therefore the father, and now David, was the rightful owner of the estate of Shaws.
Ok, gotcha, clear now, and I'll reread it. Thanks to Ms Smith, and to Amazon for this forum.

I missed this one as a kid, which is too bad, because I think I would have appreciated it then as well. Set following the failed Scottish rebellion, 'Kidnapped' tells the story of young David Balfour, whose greedy uncle tries to cheat him out of his inheritance by having him kidnapped and sold in the American colonies as a slave. On the way, however, he befriends a Jacobite rebel and is instead caught up in the Scottish troubles and has to fight his way back to his home and claim his inheritance. The adventure is all the more exciting because it feels like such a real world with all the careful place-related detail Stevenson employs. While the language can be difficult in places, that quickly fades once you get into the rhythm of the book.

Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson, is the tale of a young man named David Balfour, and of all the misfortunes that fall upon him. When David's parents die, he is sent to live with his treacherous and evil uncle, and before he knows it he finds that his uncle has tricked him and he is kidnapped and thrown on a ship and heading to America, where he will be sold into slavery. David meets another "captive" aboard the ship, Alan Breck, and they make a plan to escape. But will they succeed? And even if they do, where will they go, and how will they stay alive?

Overall, this is an excellent book. Stevenson delivers, as in his other books, an exciting and gripping story line with few slow points. The characters in the story are believable and personal, each with their strengths and flaws. This makes it very easy to put yourself in one of the character's shoes, which tends to help when reading a novel. Also Stevenson describes the many different landscapes that are in the novel extremely well; enough that it is easy to play a movie of Kidnapped in your head, but not details that are so unnecessary and useless that they actually confuse you and slow you down. The same goes for the story line itself; Stevenson gives you a vivid understanding of what is going on, but he gets the point across and moves on, which keeps the book from being a great adventure slowed down by being overly descriptive, such as Moby Dick, in which a whole chapter is used to describe a priest's pulpit.

However, very few novels are perfect, and this is no exception. The book is written in old-fashioned English, which can eventually be adjusted to, but it does take some getting used to. Also, one must be very literate in Scottish geography if they want to truly get every aspect this book, for it mentions many certain places in Scotland; however, it is easy to imagine what you think Scotland looks like in your mind and still understand what is going on, for that is what I did and I never lost track of what was happening. Furthermore, in the end of the book, which would be roughly the last three chapters, it seems that Stevenson overdoes his habit of getting the point across and moving on. In fact, these chapters seem quite rushed; they should be four chapters instead of three, or atleast longer chapters. Indeed, Stevenson doesn't even actually finish the book; it ends very suddenly, leaving certain things unexplained.

Despite the old fashioned English, Scottish geography, and abrupt ending, I still recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure novels (you probably will not like this novel if you are not into the adventure genre), or anyone who likes other Stevenson novels, for this one is of similar style. Overall, I give Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson, a seven out of ten, for I found it to be a very enjoyable and gripping read.

I believe that Kidnapped is one of the books that will keep the reader at the edge of his seat. Kidnapped is a book, which is suitable for all children and adults. No matter how many times you have read it, you will want to read it over and over. Adventure, suspense and treachery, Kidnapped has all of it.
The adventure starts with David Balfour, a young boy whose father has just recently passed away. David inherits his will and sets off to claim it. Upon claiming his inheritance, he meets his uncle. His uncle obviously wanted the inheritance, kidnapped David in a ship and sets him off far away. David survives the shipwrecked and is rescued by Alan, a dare devil rogue. There they built a long lasting friendship and together, escapes to freedom. In the end, courage, hope and believing in faith help David to his destination.
To end this paragraph, Kidnapped is a must read book for those who love suspense, adventure and treachery. The book makes the reader as if he's David Balfour and has to escape to freedom.

The book Kidnapped was a very good book filled with excitement and adventure. As I read this book, I could actually imagine what was happening. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books about exciting adventures. It was fun to read about how a young Scottish boy, David Balfour, finds himself in a horrible situation after being betrayed by his uncle. David is only seventeen years old and is robbed of his inheritance by his own uncle. David must try and find a way to prove himself not guilty after being accused of murder and he must try to stay safe while doing it. Read this book and find out what David does to protect himself on his incredible journey.

"Kidnapped" is the second of Stevenson's two most famous adventure novels, the other being "Treasure Island." The novel is not only a marvelous tale of adventure, friendship and suspense, but is also an exploration of the eighteenth-century Scottish culture. Through brilliant use of dialect and faithful imitation of the Scottish Highlanders, Stevenson conveys to us the life of the Highland rogue during that period. Also, the book can be viewed as a story of a sixteen-year-old's passage to manhood, achieved through risk-taking, friendships and bravery. An essential read.

I find that Mr. Stevenson is a very talented writer because his story was described excellently and the suspense seemed very real.

Kidnapped is the story of a young man's adventures. This particular young man was named David Balfour. After his parents passed away David set off in search of his rich uncle, to find himself a new home. Little did he know that on his arrival that his uncle would try to chase him away with a gun, and would be the most miserly person David had ever met. For fear of having to feed David, the uncle had him kidnapped aboard a ship that would take him to America to work on the plantations. Due to an unexpected change in the weather, however, the ship was wrecked on the coast of Scotland, and there the adventure began.

On the back of the novel it says that this book has been enjoyed by generations and shall be enjoyed for generations to come. When I chose to read this novel I wasn't sure if that statement would be true. I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the story, I found it to be well written and exciting. I looked forward to the end because I was curious to see what would happen.

I'd say any book that is good enough to be deemed a classic has an importance all it's own. I have not read many classics but I find this book important because it holds a lot of information pertaining to the history and culture of Scotland and it's people.

In other words, this is a great story, read it!

Although billed as an adventure novel (and that it certainly is) what makes "Kidnapped" so great is the deftly drawn humanity of its characters. I was surprised at how recognizable the two main protagonists -- David Balfour and his friend Alan Breck -- were. Neither one is stereotyped, and Stevenson is able to portray the good and bad in both of them honestly and with good humor. The tale can even be downright touching at times -- as when Alan offers to carry David on his back in their flight across the highlands, or the chapter concerning their quarrel and how they made up. I might be too sentimental, but rest assured that the book is never mawkish at these moments -- Stevenson earns our sentiment.

On top of this you get a genuinely exciting story and lots of local color as the pair race across the Scottish highlands. If there's one complaint it's that the book ends rather abruptly. Apparently, though, Stevenson left it that way because he was going to pick things back up in the book's sequel, "Catriona." I have not read this sequel, but based on Amazon reviews it is not as good as "Kidnapped," and sadly leaves out Alan Breck for the most part. This is unfortunate, but at least we can still enjoy "Kidnapped" for what it is. 5 stars, highly recommended.

A family friend gave me this book as a present when I was in grade school. My parents started reading it to me, and although some of it was difficult to understand due to the dialect, I was enthralled by it. Eventually I began reading it on my own, then re-reading it again and again. It has become my favorite book of all time, and I must literally have read it at least a hundred times (I am now 54). I still re-read it several times every year.

Although the entire novel is excellent, my favorite part is the Highland journey from Mull to Edinburgh. David and Allen's encounters with the Highlanders, and the marvelous descriptions of the countryside are so vivid that the reader feels s/he is actually there. Of course, very few authors can match Stevenson's prose for sheer beauty and power.

I have also read the sequel, DAVID BALFOUR (aka CATRIONA) innumerable times, but have always found it a letdown after KIDNAPPED. Somehow it just doesn't have the same magic.

I should also say that the only filmed version of KIDNAPPED worth watching at all is the Disney production, which sticks fairly closely to the story (although it does take a few liberties). The recent made-for-cable version starring Armande Assante (available on video) is an abomination--not only was it filmed in Ireland instead of Scotland, but it completely alters the story, adding all sort of plots and subplots, as if Stevenson's story simply wasn't good enough. Stay away from it.

I envy anyone who is about to read KIDNAPPED for the first time.