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Summary: Original-text edition reveals original intent, adult work.
Review: Robert Louis Stevenson, one of the most unjustly undervalued authors (by adult readers, at least) in English literature, created in "Kidnapped" a fast-paced adventure tale; a subtle examination of Scottish history and culture; and a pair of unforgettable characters--the sensible young Lowland protagonist, David Balfour, and his "wild Hielandman" mentor, Alan Breck Stewart. Stevensonian scholar Barry Menikoff offers a challenging new approach to the old favorite in this handsome edition transcribed from the original manuscript in the Huntington Library (and, for the final chapters, from the 1886 serialized version). The result is a text that is closer to the author's original intention than any edition yet published. In his illuminating introduction, itself a model of critical clarity and stylistic grace, Menikoff emphasizes both the mythic appeal of Stevenson's story of David Balfour's odyssey and what he terms the "starkness of its realism." The editor's analysis of Stevenson's economical employment of description as the agent of atmosphere and emotion places the author in the vanguard of a revolution in prose technique that would culminate in Hemingway. Menikoff makes a strong case for reexamining the so-called "children's classic" in the light in which it was received by early readers and critics (including Stevenson's friend and literary champion Henry James)--as a mature work of serious fiction. Put aside the images derived from Wyeth, Disney, and Classics Illustrated; here is the book--and the writer--you only thought you knew.
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Summary: An exciting adventure
Review: The book Kidnapped was a very good book filled with excitement and adventure. As I read this book, I could actually imagine what was happening. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books about exciting adventures. It was fun to read about how a young Scottish boy, David Balfour, finds himself in a horrible situation after being betrayed by his uncle. David is only seventeen years old and is robbed of his inheritance by his own uncle. David must try and find a way to prove himself not guilty after being accused of murder and he must try to stay safe while doing it. Read this book and find out what David does to protect himself on his incredible journey.
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Summary: whits review of "Kidnapped"
Review: Kidnapped is a story about a young boy's life during the 1800's. This boys name is David and he is going through some hard times right after his father's death. His only family left is his Uncle Ebenezer who he doesn't even know. He travels to the house of Shaws where he meets his uncle, who turns out to be a very mean old man. David has come there not only to meet his closest kin left, but to also collect his inheritance from his father's death. David's uncle has him sent off to be a slave on a ship to the Carolinas, without David knowing. This leads to a series of adventures on the open sea and eventually to Scotland, where David and his new friend Alan are being chased by the English army. They eventually gather their bearings and find there way back to the house of Shaws. Here they get David's father's lawyer to help make David's uncle turn over his part of the inheritance. And then the story ends with David receiving two thirds of his uncle's income as David's inheritance. The reason that I chose this book is for the reasons that it really shows how cruel people were back in the 1800's and how easy people got away with mean things. It shows that no body was safe in the 1800's and even people with money were corrupt. The book reads very well because of Stevenson's great style of writing. This book also interests the reader greatly with its great action scenes that seem to go on forever and ever. There are changes in the book almost every other chapter that really change the way the book reads and this sucks you in even more. This book also catches an eye with its great imagery, I remember this one scene where they are describing a river that David needed to cross to get to the main land and the imagery was so good that I could picture this river and the houses on the other side. The main character David is also a very interesting boy to read about and all you want the whole book is for something to go good for him. He had to deal with so much and he doesn't get rewarded till the end of the book. If you are a reader that loves a great 1800's action book, with a very interesting plot, you will like Kidnapped a lot.
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Summary: Dated but still effective
Review: I totally agree with the reviewer who says that Kidnapped has become his/her favorite book of all time and that (s)he still re-reads it several times a year. Not that I re-read it, but I agree when (s)he says that (s)he envies anyone who is about to read 'Kidnapped' for the first time. I am about the same age, and I well remember my first reading - how I smiled when Uncle Ebeneezer served his gruel (porridge) - how I held my breath when David nearly stepped into space on the broken stairs - how I cringed with the injustice of Ebeneezer tried to cheat David out of his inheritance by selling him into slavery in the American colonies.Stevenson's 'Treasure Island' is reckoned to be his best book but, for sheer descriptive weight, superb characterization and sharp, sharp dialog, 'Kidnapped' is the one for me. In brief, 16-year-old orphan, David Balfour visits his uncle in order to claim the inheritance, left by his father. The uncle, having failed to kill him, arranges for David to be kidnapped by a ship of thugs and villains and taken to the Carolinas to be sold into slavery. While navigating the Scottish coast, the ship collides with another boat and the crew capture the lone survivor, a swashbuckling Highlander called Alan Breck Stewart. David and Alan become friends and escape their captors. On land again, Stewart is accused of murdering a rival clan member and he and David must now cross the Scottish mountains to reach safe haven and for David to reclaim his inheritance. The descriptions of the Scottish countryside are truly marvelous and the sense of pace and adventure keeps the reader hooked right to the end. I notice that one reviewer likened this section to 'a tiresome episode of The Odd Couple'. Perhaps it's worth bearing in mind that The Odd Couple was written a few years AFTER Kidnapped ! (In any case, I doubt that a written version of the television series would stir anyone's emotions like Kidnapped can). To most readers the historic aspects, along with the fact that the couple are being hunted by British redcoats is enough to maintain interest, suspense and pace. Read and enjoy !
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Summary: High adventure and edge of your seat suspense...
Review: I find that Mr. Stevenson is a very talented writer because his story was described excellently and the suspense seemed very real. Kidnapped is the story of a young man's adventures. This particular young man was named David Balfour. After his parents passed away David set off in search of his rich uncle, to find himself a new home. Little did he know that on his arrival that his uncle would try to chase him away with a gun, and would be the most miserly person David had ever met. For fear of having to feed David, the uncle had him kidnapped aboard a ship that would take him to America to work on the plantations. Due to an unexpected change in the weather, however, the ship was wrecked on the coast of Scotland, and there the adventure began. On the back of the novel it says that this book has been enjoyed by generations and shall be enjoyed for generations to come. When I chose to read this novel I wasn't sure if that statement would be true. I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the story, I found it to be well written and exciting. I looked forward to the end because I was curious to see what would happen. I'd say any book that is good enough to be deemed a classic has an importance all it's own. I have not read many classics but I find this book important because it holds a lot of information pertaining to the history and culture of Scotland and it's people. In other words, this is a great story, read it!
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Summary: an exciting classic
Review: Kidnapped is a thrilling novel that has withstood the test of time to remain a favorite. It is one of those books that you pick up and fight to put back down. A good read for those of all ages Kidnapped is one of the most thrilling books I have read in awhile. Kidnapped begins with David Balfour, a poor orphaned teenager looking for a rich uncle who he expects will accept him as kin and treat him right. The book follows David's quest for his inheritance from his miserly hermit of an uncle, in search monetary appreciation David finds himself and friends the likes of which he will probably never meet again. From the Scottish lowlands to the sea and into the highlands this book keeps you enthralled throughout its entirety with some of the most interesting characters in literature. Alan Breck, a friend David made during his shortened sea journey, nearly steals the book from the young protagonist, but the question about David's inheritance keeps your mind on him while enjoying Alan's many stories and adventures. I liked this book because it not only told a story of a kid who hit hard times and pulled himself out, but because he learned a lesson. It shows what can be accomplished with the right help and what can befall you without it. This book is timeless; as long as people continue to name classics this will stay on the list for its fast pace and interesting storyline. I highly recommend it
Rating: 
Summary: It was alright
Review: Kidnapped is not the book that I thought it was going to be. It had a decent story line, but some of the language was hard to understand. I would not reccomend this book to the youn reader, even though it is considered a kids book. It can be hard to follow at times, and it is hard to keep ones attention on the book. Overall I was not pleased with this book.
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Summary: wow
Review: (...)The book I read was Kidnapped by Robert L. Stevenson. David, the main character has an adventuress life. His adventures started when his father dies and he has to leave the city of Essedean to go to his uncle's house. His uncle sells him to a captain named Hoseason. Alan and David meet up then separate after David gets Alan a way back home. This book is about a young boy, David Balfour, through his adventures and friends. One thing that happens right away is that David's uncle tries to kill by asking him to go up an unfinished staircase in the dark. After being sold to a sea captain he sees one of his best friends, Ransom, die because of Mr. Shaun. The covenant causes the ship to sink, and they manage to save one man, Alan, off that ship. Later they plot to kill this same Gentleman. I think it could have everything from super fun to almost the to point of depression to have an adventuress life like that.
When I was reading the scene where David shoots the two grown men. My mouth practically touched ground. I couldn't believe that he could have shot two men. I mean the book makes him seem to be around fourteen or fifteen. I couldn't even imagine shooting someone and I'm almost his age. This part almost makes me want to cry, " "
One of my favorite parts in this book is when David and Alan get captured by Cluny's men. The reason why that this is one of my favorite parts is because David is kind of panicking and Alan is as cool as a cucumber."
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The most exiting part of this book was when Alan and David fight off the whole crew of the covenant. " ". This was a very exciting part in Kidnapped.
I think readers learn a lot about trust and friendship. This book kind of shows that you can't trust everyone. also shows us that you should watch who you make friendships with. This book is about a young boy, David Balfour, becoming a man through things in his life that he will not forget. Things like having to shoot someone and seeing be shot. These experiences would most definitely be life changing for any person.
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Summary: All Action!
Review: Kidnapped is an awsome book because it's so alive. Almost everything you read is action. It's talks about when David Balfour goes to his fathers friend and finds out that he's his uncle! He gets on a boat and is sold to be killed. When the boat sinks and David is stranded on an island. This book is a favorite of mine because you can't put it down. Since all the action you have to keep reading to see what happends.
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Summary: A Fun Adventure
Review: Kidnapped is about a teenaged kid named David Balfour. He leaves his house to look for his fortune. He meets a very interesting man and later discovers it is his uncle. This is a fun book that keeps getting better. I think Robert Louis Stevenson, the author, was telling kids to know who to trust and not to just say hi to a guy and become their friend. He also wanted kids to be brave. The reason I like this book is because it is and exciting story. There is lots of action and fighting. I got interested in the book and couldn't stop reading it.
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