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288
Novel • Fiction
Scotland • 1750s
1886
Middle grade
12-18 years
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, follows the young David Balfour, who, after his father's death, discovers an uncle, Ebenezer, living at a near-ruined estate. Ebenezer kidnaps David, attempting to send him to slavery in America. Shipwrecked in Scotland, David befriends Alan Breck Stewart, a Jacobite, and together they navigate survival, evading false accusations of murder and reclaiming David's rightful inheritance. The novel contains themes of abduction and murder.
Adventurous
Suspenseful
Mysterious
Challenging
Bittersweet
69,724 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped is praised for its vivid adventure and dynamic characters, especially the protagonist, David Balfour. The historical context adds depth, but some critics find the dialects challenging and the pacing uneven. Overall, it remains a beloved classic for its storytelling and rich depiction of 18th-century Scotland.
Readers who enjoy adventure and historical fiction will find Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson captivating. This novel appeals to fans of tales like Treasure Island and The Three Musketeers with its themes of survival, loyalty, and adventure set against the backdrop of 18th-century Scotland.
69,724 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
ALAN BRECK STEWART
A charismatic Jacobite and skilled swordsman who becomes David’s companion and mentor as they navigate the Scottish landscape together, notable for his proud and roguish nature.
EBENEZER BALFOUR
David’s uncle and the central antagonist who schemes against David to keep control of the family estate and engages in dubious strategies to achieve his goals.
CAPTAIN HOSEASON
The captain of the ship Covenant, who is involved in David's abduction and demonstrates both villainous traits and a peculiar commitment to his duties as a seaman.
THE COVENANT CREW
The crew members of the Covenant, initially perceived as rough and unscrupulous, but who reveal certain virtues in their interactions with David during his voyage.
THE HIGHLANDERS
Various characters David meets during his journey across the Highlands, who teach him about their customs and help him despite the dangerous circumstances surrounding him.
MR. RANKEILLOR
A lawyer who aids David in the final stages of his journey, representing the possibility of legal justice and fairness in reclaiming what is rightfully David's.
288
Novel • Fiction
Scotland • 1750s
1886
Middle grade
12-18 years
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