Picture Credit: Lemuria Books
What if someday you come to know that you own a property worth billions but that is in the possession of your relative? You will certainly rush to claim it and enjoy a luxurious life but remember my friend, claiming your right may cost you your life.
Something similar happened with David Balfour after he turned an orphan. He was thrilled unaware of the fact that this will put him in a life threatening situation. What is his ultimate fate lies in this amazing novel named, ‘Kidnapped’.
Introduction
Book’s Name - Kidnapped (1886)
Author’s Name - Robert Louis Stevenson
Genre - Historical Adventure Fiction
Language - English, Lowland Scot
Sequel - Catriona (1893)
Main Characters - David Balfour, Mr. Campbell, Elias Hoseason, Ebenezer Belfour, Alexander Balfour
Synopsis - Spoiler Alert!
Kidnapped is about David Balfour, a young man of the Lowlands,Scotland. David's parents died recently, so he's now an orphan. Since he's now seventeen years old, he has decided it's time to travel and seek his fortune.
Before he leaves for the town of Edinburgh, Mr. Campbell tells him that he has an uncle, Ebenezer Balfour, of the House of Shaw's- meaning that David is, to his surprise, from a wealthy family. David decides to travel to Cramond, and meet his wealthy relatives.
David walks two days to Edinburgh,and as he begins to ask about the House of Shaws, he finds it's an unpopular place. Ebenezer seems particularly ill regarded by the community, and is actually the sole occupant of the house. Nevertheless, David travels to the House of Shaws.
Ebenezer gives him a chilly welcome, treats David badly, almost as if David were a thief, but he wins a number of David's respect by giving the lad nearly forty pounds.
But when Ebenezer sends David nearly to his death within the tower adjacent to the house, David is unable to understand why his uncle hates him and, if he does, why he wants him to remain at the House of Shaws.
A servant , Ransome, arrives at the House of Shaws to inform that Hoseason has requested to ascertain Ebenezer, therefore the old man decides to travel to the port of Queensferry with Ransome and David.
David willingly goes along driven by the desire to see ships. At first, Hoseason seems very pleasant and warns David about Ebenezer. Hoseason then asks to talk to David on the boat, and David agrees, being curious about seeing more of the boat. Having David on, the boat swiftly departs, and as he screams at the dock for help, the sailors knock David unconscious.
He awakes within the dark storage deck of the Covenant. As he drifts in and out of sleep, he quickly becomes ill, and shortly he's lingering near death but later shifted to a better side of the deck. Then, Ransome is accidentally killed by Mr. Shuan, and David becomes the new servant .
After a couple of days ,David overhears the officers plotting to murder the stranger. David informs the stranger, and agrees to fight by his side who later introduces him as Alan Breck Stewart.
Alan gets impressed with David's courage and gives him a silver button from his coat. After negotiating with Alan, the captain agrees to drop Alan and David off near Linnhe Loch.
On the way, the ship strikes the Torran Rocks and goes down. David escapes and finds himself on an island. After this incident David and Alan face a lot of ups and downs in their journey back to their town and face many misunderstandings among themselves.
David seeks his family lawyer that reveals a surprising fact that David's father and Ebenezer fought over a woman and settled with an agreement where David’s father married the woman and Ebenezer received the House of Shaws.
David plays a trick and ends up receiving two-thirds of the yearly income of the House of Shaws. David leaves for France and wanders into town to say his fortune.
About the Author
Robert Louis Stevenson was born in an affluent Scottish family in Edinburgh. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, he studied engineering despite his frail health and early tuberculosis that confined him to bed. He switched to law in order to commit more time to pen down his creative mind.
His work ‘The Portfolio’ contributed to the University Magazine. Later on, he just travelled and made writing his full-time employment. He got married to Fanny Osborne in 1880 in the USA.
RL Stevenson attained his first fame in 1883 with his Treasure Island. This was followed by an ode to his governess in ‘A Child’s Garden of Verses’. A year later, came an out-pour of classics: ‘Kidnapped’, ‘The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’, ‘The Black Arrow’, ‘The Beach Of Falesa’ and other several shorter works of brilliance.
His last work ‘Weir Of Hermiston’ left unfinished, which was subsequently destined to become yet another masterpiece.
About the Book
‘Kidnapped’ is one of the famous works of Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson which was originally published in 1886. It is a historic adventure and speculative fiction work which was written as a ‘boys’ novel’ and was published in the ‘Young Folks’ magazines.
It was followed by the ‘Catriona’ (1893) and was adapted to premiere for several years on the big screen from 1917 to 2005.
A comic version was also published by Marvel Illustrated in 2007-2008. It was believed that the novel was based on the ‘James Annesley Case’ who was kidnapped by his own uncle at the age of 12.
Themes Involved
Inheritance, Diversity of ethics, loyalty and friendship are some of the main themes that are blended together in the novel. Inheritance is the theme that is inculcated throughout the plot.
The fact that the eldest inherits the property and wealth has been highlighted in the plot when David returns to the House Of Shaws but is schemed out by his uncle, Ebenezer Balfour.
David faces a lot of difficulty when he moves to Highlands because of the great difference in the culture and ethics. The way he was brought up was entirely different from the ones he came across in Highlands.
Loyalty and friendship also beautifies the story line as it proceeds towards the end. A unique and mismatched friendship between David and Alan gradually becomes the main highlighted theme of the whole plot despite the bloody history.
Their unlikely friendship is full of loyalty irrespective of the main intention behind this strange match-up between a young, naive lad and an old, adventurous man.
Famous Quotes
“It lies near upon my conscience to improve this parting, and set you on the right guard against the dangers of the world.”
“I've a grand memory for forgetting”
The Bottom Line
‘Kidnapped’ is a nail-biting reading journey full of thrill, suspense and adventure. It starts at a low pace, confuses you but keeps you indulged in it and then slowly elevates towards the end.
If you are an adventure loving person and loves to read something that is mind-stirring, then you should really give this novel a read.
My ratings for the book - 3 on 5
You can buy a copy from Amazon right away - Kidnapped
Written By - Palak Chauhan
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