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.

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

- Kidnapped features in Treasure Island author Robert Louis Stevenson's list of books he wrote specifically for younger audiences, cementing his reputation as a beloved children's author.
- When first released in 1886, Kidnapped was published in the serial format in the magazine Young Folks, which was targeted toward juveniles and helped boost the book's popularity among younger readers.
- The novel is notable for its use of real historical events and figures, such as the Appin Murder, intertwining fiction with historical incidents in 18th-century Scotland.

**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.

**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.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Middle grade

Novel

David Balfour

Fiction

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Kidnapped

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