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Kidnapped is a fast-moving historical fiction adventure story by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. Written as a "boys novel" and first published in the magazine Young Folks from May to July 1886, the novel has attracted the praise and admiration of writers as diverse as Henry James, Jorge Luis Borges and Seamus Heaney.

As historical fiction, it is set around 18th century Scottish events, notably the "Appin Murder", which occurred near Ballachulish in 1752 in the aftermath of the Jacobite Rising. Many of the characters, and one of the principals, Alan Breck Stewart, were real people. The political situation of the time is skilfully portrayed from different viewpoints, and the plight of the highlanders treated sympathetically.

Plot introduction

The central character and narrator is a young man, David Balfour (Balfour being Stevenson's mother's maiden name), callow but resourceful, whose parents have recently died and who is out to make his way in the world. After his kidnap in South Queensferry, his journey from shipwreck on Mull back to Edinburgh is described so accurately that the route can be traced to this day.

Major themes

The solid historical and environmental background, and the realism with which the physical hardship suffered by Alan and David is described, give the novel an immediacy which perhaps explains the hold it has on some readers, given the simple narrative line and spare plotting. Indeed plot only takes a dominant role at the beginning and end of the novel, while the heart of it lies in what James described as the "really excellent" chapters of the flight in the heather. Some of the Scottish dialogue may be hard going for modern readers (see Scots language), though Stevenson himself admitted that he had applied only a smattering so as not to tax the inner ear of non-Scots.

Literary significance & criticism

Kidnapped was well received and sold well while Stevenson was alive, but after his death many viewed it with skepticism seeing it as simply a "boys novel". However by the mid-20th century it has since regained critical approval and study.

The sequel Catriona (David Balfour) was written in 1893 while Stevenson was living on Samoa. It has in large part a romantic theme, and much less adventure, and has not achieved the popular appeal of Kidnapped.

Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

• 1938- Kidnapped
• 1971- Kidnapped
• 1995- Kidnapped

External links

• "Kidnapped at Project Gutenberg
• Film adaptions of Kidnapped. There have been about 21 movie and TV versions of the book made.

• 1886 novels
• 1880s novels
• 19th century novels
• Scottish novels
• Robert Louis Stevenson novels