Kidnapped: Being Memoirs of the Adventures of David Balfour in the Year 1751

Rating:
Summary: I didn't like it at all
Review: This book was very confusing at parts and very hard to understand maybe if Robert Louis Stevenson had spoken in plan english the book would have been a whole lot better. Even though I am sure this is an old book. I hope. :)

Rating:
Summary: Kidnapped- an excellent book
Review: I have always been an admirer of Robert Louis Stevenson's writings. His masterfully written books have never failed to captivate me. Usually rendering me unable to participate in anything other than the primitive tasks that are essential to my life and the life of others. Those of which included eating, sleeping, bathing and relieving myself of digested food.
No I'm just kidding, but whenever I read from Robert Louis Stevenson's works that book is always on the top of my to-do list. So you can imagine when I found a copy of Kidnapped in my father's study you can imagine how I must have felt. Here was a book from one of my favorites authors sitting on my father's bookshelf. My first reaction upon seeing it was to cover it with my shirt so as not to let anyone see it. Then after the adrenalin had started to ebb from my veins. I realized that this probably wouldn't be in his office if he hadn't already read it. So slowly, very slowly I took it out from under my shirt, turning my back to my father while doing so and quickly bolted for the door.
Once I arrived at my room I began to read. It was to say the least, an amazing book. It had everything Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island had. Such as, adventure, suspense, action and a completely original story line that was so well written that one was never sure of what would happen next.
To give you a taste of this book will provide a brief summary of it. Kidnapped is about a young man named David Balfour who goes to live with his uncle after his father dies. His uncle wanting to steal his inheritance has David kidnapped. While on his voyage onboard the Covenant,David befriends Alan Breck. Together these two friends are accused of murder and chased by British soldiers on their adventure. Don't miss out on this fantastic book, written by one of the best authors of this genre. If you miss out on this wonderful book, I can guarantee you will regret it.

Rating:
Summary: A mediocre book
Review: Kidnapped is not a book that everyone should read. It's the kind of book that only suits certain people. If you enjoy an adventurous book where a main character has to overcome many obstacles, read Kidnapped. The adventure starts off with a boy called David Balfour, whose father had just passed away. He sets off to claim his inheritance, but while doing so he meets his uncle. Unfortunately the uncle wants the inheritance too. This conflict results in David's uncle kidnapping him and sending him on a ship far away. During this journey he meets a new companion, Alan Breck. David and Alan go through a long, strenuous journey together surviving a shipwreck and witnessing a political killing.
I personally thought that this book was mediocre, nothing extravagant, but then again, nothing too boring. The beginning of the book really drew me in as a reader; we find out very early that something "fishy" could be going on. In addition I thought that the plot of this book was quite clever. It's an event (an uncle kidnapping his own nephew) that could very possibly happen in the present, but yet it is set back in the 1750's, where you would not think such a thing to happen. I also feel that the book moved awfully fast, so you always had to be super tuned into the book while you were reading lest you miss an important detail.
A downside of the book however is the old English that is used; it is quite hard to understand at times. The limited translations given at the bottom help a little, but not much. In addition I felt that there were some points in the book when it was just too dull, and not enough action going on.
Overall I thought that this book was quite entertaining for people who enjoy reading adventures. I personally didn't like it too much, but then again, I don't enjoy adventure and suspense that much. So perhaps this book will suit other people, I didn't like it because of genre preference.

Rating:
Summary: Sometimes you can't go home again....
Review: I purchased this book for the phenominal NC Wyeth artwork and decided to reread this classic adventure that has been so popular with young readers for so long. It was incredibly tedious and I wondered if it were perhaps because I have become jaded by modernized storytelling. I suppose if it were to be read aloud to a youngster, more of the enthusiastic action could be drummed up. Sadly, I was disappointed that it didn't stand up to my own test of time the way that other stories, such as TREASURE ISLAND, have...

Rating:
Summary: One of the best literary works of the 19th century
Review: Kidnapped. The tale of the young David Balfour's kidnapping at the hands of his devious uncle Ebenezer and his shipwrecking and adventures in the 18th-century Scottish Highlands. Second only to Treasure Island in terms of fame, Kidnapped (also by Stevenson) is nearly as good.
Shipwrecked in the wild highlands of Scotland only ten years or so after the famous Rebellion of '45, David's troubles are heightened when he is present at the murder of Colin Campbell. His only hope is to flee south across the highlands with Alan Breck Stewart, the loveably roguish cousin of James of the Glens, who is accused of the Appin murder even though he is innocent. The two are forced to duck through the heather and climb through the wooded mountains of Scotland to evade capture, and only through their cleverness and their (sometimes strained) friendship are they able to overcome the perils of the highlands and the ever-present danger of being captured and hung before finally confronting Ebenezer Balfour to get back David's rightful estate.
As mentioned before, Kidnapped is only topped by Treasure Island in terms of fame and adventure and is one of the greatest literary works of the 19th century that I've ever read. Added to that are N.C. Wyeth's amazing illustrations, depicting key characters and events of the tale. Wyeth's depictions of David Balfour and Alan Breck are the only way many readers have ever seen them in their minds. Kidnapped is an excellent read and I strongly suggest you at least go borrow a copy from your local library as soon as possible. You won't regret your choice, believe you me.

Rating:
Summary: What's the Fuss?
Review: I had never read this one, even as a boy, and so I figured I had to make up for it in my mature years. Maybe that was my error! Although for the most part fast-paced and interesting, I did not find this a very moving or challenging tale and had a great deal of trouble remaining engaged with it. Recounting the viscissitudes of one David Balfour, a young man in rural Scotland who, on the death of his parents is sent off to claim his heritage, we are taken, along with this David, into the presence of a scurrilous uncle who soon arranges for David's kidnapping to get him out of the way. Adventures aboard a rogue ship, encounters with a swashbuckling Scottish rebel, Alan Breck Stewart, and subsequent flight from the minions of King George through the rugged back country of rural Scotland follow and round out this odyssey of a young man's misfortunes, leading to a predictable denouement in which all is made right. I suppose it was a good tale for its time but I have read better by Stevenson including my favorite among all his works: THE MASTER OF BALLANTRAE, which is a much more moving and unpredictable tale of two brothers and the shadows of darkness which overwhelm them. KIDNAPPED was alright, I suppose, but in the end it's probably a boy's story and not suitable for the more mature times of one's life. -- SWM

Rating:
Summary: Another classic from Stevenson.
Review: I don't normally read novels, but since this had some history involved, I thought it might be worth it. I finished this in a day, even though some of the English (or Scots) was difficult to read. This book kept the reader wanting more after each chapter.
Even though the author was known for Treasure Island, this is as much a classic as that book. One cannot help cheering for David Balfour and Alan Stewart in their struggles with the authorities and David's uncle.
A great read for both child and adult.

Rating:
Summary: A Thrilling Read!
Review: Robert Louis Stevenson was without a doubt one of the greatest historical/adventure novelists that ever lived, and Kidnapped is unquestionably one of his best works. My only regret is that I waited so long to finally read it. It was a new and exciting change from Treasure Island, a book which I love, but have read approximately once every year since the second grade. Finally, longing for a little swashbuckle, and wishing for a way out of my Jim Hawkins rut, I picked up Kidnapped, and was immediately swept off on a thrilling, suspenseful and exhilarating adventure through the Scottish highlands. For days I sat rigid on the edge of my seat, eagerly following the young David Balfour as he was cheated of his inheritance by his wily uncle, kidnapped by pirates, and befriended by a cocky Jacobite outlaw. Breathlessly, I followed him and his companion as they were falsely accused of murder and forced to flee from British troops. Finally, I heaved a sigh of contented disappointment as the story ended, glad at the way things had ended, yet upset that it all had to end and that I would at last have to part from the two heroes of whom I had grown so fond. This is without a doubt a book that I will reread as many times as I have Treasure Island, and I envy the lucky reader who is picking it up for the first time. It is thrilling, exciting, suspenseful, unpredictable, and thoroughly intoxicating. After reading it, my thirst for such dashing adventure was so terrible that I immediately had to run to the library and lay my hands on every adventure novel I could find. I would highly reccommend it to every lover of adventure stories, particularly those with a historical base. I would suggest though that first time readers take a minute to read just a very little bit about the Jacobite rebellions, particularly the one of 1745. It will help greatly to clarify the story, and make it that much more enjoyable. (If indeed, it could get any better than it already is!)

Rating:
Summary: Fighting spirit
Review: I believe that Kidnapped is one of the books that will keep the reader at the edge of his seat. Kidnapped is a book, which is suitable for all children and adults. No matter how many times you have read it, you will want to read it over and over. Adventure, suspense and treachery, Kidnapped has all of it.
The adventure starts with David Balfour, a young boy whose father has just recently passed away. David inherits his will and sets off to claim it. Upon claiming his inheritance, he meets his uncle. His uncle obviously wanted the inheritance, kidnapped David in a ship and sets him off far away. David survives the shipwrecked and is rescued by Alan, a dare devil rogue. There they built a long lasting friendship and together, escapes to freedom. In the end, courage, hope and believing in faith help David to his destination.
To end this paragraph, Kidnapped is a must read book for those who love suspense, adventure and treachery. The book makes the reader as if he's David Balfour and has to escape to freedom.

Rating:
Summary: It's Nae Treas're Isle
Review: I am a big fan of Stevenson (especially Treasure Island), swashbuckling adventure (especially Rafael Sabatini) and Scottish literature (especially Irvine Welsh and James Kelman), but I have to say that rereading Kidnapped is a bit of a letdown. Not for the reasons others have cited, such as language (if you think Stevenson's use of Scots dialect is tough, try reading Trainspotting!) or obscure history (the book is set in Scotland circa 1750, just after the failure of the Jacobite rebellion against the British), but rather because the book is rather boring. It starts off promisingly enough, as orphaned 16-year-old Dvid Balfour sets off to the big city to track down his never-seen Uncle Ebeneezer. It doesn't take long for the miserly uncle (is the sharing of name with that other famous miser, Ebeneezer Scrooge, just a coincidence?) to cheat the boy out of his inheritance, try to murder him, and then sell him into slavery in the American colonies. As he is taken out to sea, the ship collides with another in the dark, and the sole survivor is taken aboard. The shipboard tension and the action as he throws his lot in with the doughty Highlander rebel Alan Breck to defeat his captors is all quite enjoyable. After both make their escape they are reunited in the Highlands, which are being scoured by British redcoats in search of traitors like Alan Breck). They decide to band together and travel to a place of safety. Unfortunately at this point, the book becomes a tiresome episode of The Odd Couple, as they bicker and banter and evade the British. It's rather chivalric, as concern over honor and friendship overwhelms any real story or action. The insights into Highlander culture and history are somewhat interesting, but not enough to carry it. The climactic confrontation as David confronts his uncle returns the book to its fun, adventurous roots. Stevenson write a sequel, variously known as David Balfour or Catriona, which is not supposed to be as good.