Kidnapped – Book Review

Kidnapped, Robert Louis Stevenson’s epic tale set in the Scottish highlands, is a delightful read about David Balfour, a young man who, while seeking his rightful inheritance, is tricked by his uncle and committed to slavery in the Carolinas.

However, Balfour’s fate is checked by a most unusual man—the vainglorious and heroic Alan Breck, who David notes as “a man I would rather call my friend than my enemy.” One of the most colorful characters in literature, Alan would rather die than fail in his duty or forfeit his honor.

Early in the story, in an unforgettable scene, David—having been kidnapped by a Jekyll-like ship captain, forced to work as the ship’s bartender, and enticed by the captain to betray Alan—warns Alan of treachery.

”¦scarce had Alan spoken, when the captain showed his face in the open door.

“Stand!” cried Alan, and pointed his sword at him. The captain stood, indeed; but he neither winced nor drew back a foot.

“A naked sword?” says he. “This is a strange return for hospitality.”

“Do you see me?” said Alan. I come of kings; I bear a king’s name. My badge is the oak. Do you see my sword? It has slashed the heads of mair Whigmores than you have toes upon your feet. Call up your vermin to your back, sir, and fall on! The sooner the clash begins, the sooner ye’ll taste this steel throughout your vitals.

A fight ensued, two against all hands: Alan at the roundhouse door, David guarding the rear. The famous illustrator, N.C. Wyeth captured the deseparate moment well.

As the story progresses, their journey becomes increasingly difficult. Moreover, bad pride threatens their friendship and mission. David said: “So I went like a sick, silly and bad hearted schoolboy, feeding my anger against a fellow-man, when I would have been better on my knees, crying to God for mercy. And at each of Alan’s taunts, I hugged myself. “Ah!” thinks I to myself, “I have a better taunt in readiness; when I lie down and die, you will feel it like a buffet in your face; ah, what a revenge! ah, how you will regret your ingratitude and cruelty!”

A near death experience compels them to make amends and lay aside their anger.

The story’s incidents take place across the highlands and reveal old Scotland after England defeated the clans in a battle led by Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. Stevenson, a Scotsman, gives readers an odyssey of an experience not unlike the great epic poem, reopening an old world of treachery, danger, adventure, and prowess.

Events like the ship sword fight, the murder of Roy Campbell, and the bagpipe dual are classic scenes worthy of reading. David Balfour is honest, brave, and conscientious, and Alan is heroic, charming, and indomitable. Both strive to fulfill their duties amid perilous circumstances.

Finally, the Walt Disney 1960 movie is wonderful (though some of the complexity of the plot and thinking of David Balfour is lost); it was one of my favorite childhood films.

This version of the book looks good.

This one has a lot of illustrations.

I read this paperback edition; it has grey versions of the classic N.C. Wyeth illustrations.