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Kidnapped

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1886

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Book Brief

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Robert Louis Stevenson

Kidnapped

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1886
Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Scotland • 1750s

Publication Year

1886

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

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Super Short Summary

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

Reviews & Readership

4.0

69,724 ratings

64%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

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.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Kidnapped?

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.

4.0

69,724 ratings

64%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Character List

DAVID BALFOUR

The protagonist and narrator who embarks on a journey across Scotland and grows from an inexperienced youth into someone more confident and aware of his country and its complexities.

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.

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.

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 crew members of the Covenant, initially perceived as rough and unscrupulous, but who reveal certain virtues in their interactions with David during his voyage.

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.

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.

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Scotland • 1750s

Publication Year

1886

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

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