“A thrilling adventure story, gripping history, and fascinating study of the Scottish character” from the author of Treasure Island (The Guardian, “The 100 Best Novels”).
Just as newly orphaned David Balfour discovers his scheming uncle is trying to steal his inheritance, he’s kidnapped by a sea captain with plans to sell him into slavery in the Carolinas. Before long, the ship is hampered by strong winds and rough seas, throwing David together with Alan Breck Stewart, a roguish Jacobite with a score to settle. Surviving shipwreck, assassins, and subterfuge forges their friendship, uniting the two young men on a rip-roaring journey that will take them across the Scottish highlands.
“Kidnapped is [Robert Louis Stevenson’s] masterpiece, an unforgettable novel of action that would inspire writers as varied as Joseph Conrad, John Buchan, Graham Greene and Muriel Spark. . . . An astounding action adventure in which Stevenson’s command of narrative, prose that’s pared to the bone, is never less than enthralling.” —The Guardian, “The 100 Best Novels”
“One of the great pleasures of reconsidering Stevenson was rereading Kidnapped. I came back to it hesitantly, nervously, expecting to take my seven-year-old self to task, and found from the beautiful, stately opening pages, wherein David Balfour leaves his home for the last time, that I was captivated. Alan Breck remains a wonderfully jaunty character, and I was struck afresh by Stevenson’s gift for describing landscapes that both shape and reveal the actions of the characters.” —The Atlantic
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 6 Up-Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson remains one of the classic coming-of-age stories for children and young adults today. After the death of his father, David Balfour sets out to meet his uncle and claim his inheritance. This adventure takes him through the highlands of Scotland where he embarks upon a long journey back from treachery and deceit. The reading by David Rintoul, whose voice is easily recognizable from his roles in several PBS productions such as Pride and Prejudice, translates the written word into an auditory landscape of Scotland. He interprets each character using several voices. As the story progresses, listeners can hear David changing from an uncertain and hesitant youth, to the assured and forthright young man he becomes at the conclusion. Without any special effects, the fight among the crew of the Coventry in the RoundhouseAchairs pushed over, the sounds of the sea hitting against the great shipAbecomes easily visualized. the reader’s skill setting the stage and showing the growth of the character is phenomenal. While this is an abridgement, the story flows easily and gives a full picture from beginning to end. This audiobook is a wonderful way to introduce this style of literature to young readers who may feel inhibited by reading the language of Stevenson. Whether read for enjoyment or to enrich the learning experience, this is a must for every serious library collection of the classics.
Tina Hudak, Takoma Park Maryland Library, MD
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From the Inside Flap
A finely honed, stirring adventure about the orphan David Balfour, who is kidnapped by his villainous uncle and escapes through the Scottish highlands, only to become involved in the Scottish struggle for independence. This edition features a new introduction by Margot Livesey.
From the Back Cover
A finely honed, stirring adventure about the orphan David Balfour, who is kidnapped by his villainous uncle and escapes through the Scottish highlands, only to become involved in the Scottish struggle for independence. This edition features a new introduction by Margot Livesey.
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree 