Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. Summary of the book.

by

Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

Summary of the Book

Kidnapped is a historical novel by Robert Louis Stevenson published in 1886. The story follows 17-year-old David Balfour, who sets off on an adventure to discover his true identity and destiny. David’s journey takes him through the wilds of Scotland and the high seas to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, where he faces the perils of a pirate ship and his own sense of justice. Along the way, he meets many characters, including Alan Breck Stewart, a Jacobite rebel, and Hoseason, the captain of the Covenant, who kidnaps him. Kidnapped is a thrilling story of adventure, loyalty, and morality.

Kidnapped is considered one of Stevenson’s best works and has remained popular since its initial publication. It has been adapted numerous times into plays, films, and television series. It has also been the subject of critical analysis and study in literature, history, and psychology.

Main Details of the Plot

David Balfour is the protagonist of Kidnapped, a 17-year-old lad who sets out to discover his true identity and destiny. After his father’s death, David travels to the House of Shaws to confront his uncle Ebenezer, who has been withholding his inheritance. Ebenezer has David kidnapped and sent aboard the brig Covenant, a pirate ship bound for the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. On board, David meets Alan Breck Stewart, a Jacobite rebel, and Hoseason, the captain of the Covenant. Hoseason attempts to ransom David to his uncle, but Alan and David manage to escape and set out on a journey across Scotland, evading the forces of Ebenezer and the British government. Along the way, they encounter many characters, including the Highland outlaw James of the Glens and his daughter Catriona. Through the course of their adventures, David learns to trust and rely on Alan, and together they manage to escape danger and return to Scotland.

Main Teachings of the Book

One of the main messages of Kidnapped is the importance of loyalty and friendship. David and Alan’s friendship is tested during their adventures and ultimately provides them with the strength to overcome adversity. The book also emphasizes the power of moral justice and the right to seek justice. David and Alan stand up for what is right and fight for the freedom of Scotland, even in the face of danger. Finally, the book teaches readers the importance of trusting one’s instincts and taking risks when necessary.

Interesting Facts about the Book

  • Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Kidnapped in eight weeks.
  • The novel is based on real events from 18th century Scotland.
  • The book has been adapted into plays, films, and television series.
  • The book was a commercial success, selling over 20,000 copies in its first year of publication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the plot of Kidnapped?

The plot of Kidnapped follows 17-year-old David Balfour, who sets off on an adventure to discover his true identity and destiny. Along the way, he meets many characters, including Alan Breck Stewart, a Jacobite rebel, and Hoseason, the captain of the Covenant, who kidnaps him. Through the course of their adventures, David learns to trust and rely on Alan, and together they manage to escape danger and return to Scotland.

What are the main teachings of the book?

The main teachings of Kidnapped include the importance of loyalty and friendship, the power of moral justice and the right to seek justice, and the importance of trusting one’s instincts and taking risks when necessary.

What are some interesting facts about the book?

Some interesting facts about Kidnapped include that it was written by Robert Louis Stevenson in eight weeks, it is based on real events from 18th century Scotland, it has been adapted into plays, films, and television series, and it sold over 20,000 copies in its first year of publication.

Related books:

  1. Covenant with Death by John Harris. Summary of the book.
  2. A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson. Summary of the book.
  3. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Summary of the book.
  4. Treasure Island by Robert Stevenson (1882). Summary of the book.
  5. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Stevenson (1886). Summary of the book.
  6. A Breath of Snow and Ash by Diana Gabaldon (2005). Summary of the book.
  7. Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte — Complete by Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne. Summary of the book.
  8. Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini. Summary of the book.
  9. Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice (1976). Summary of the book.
  10. Camp Concentration by Thomas M Disch. Summary of the book.
  11. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (1849). Summary of the book.
  12. Sacaramouche by Rafael Sabatini. Summary of the book.
  13. Journey to the End of the Night by Louis-Ferdinand Celine. Summary of the book.
  14. Ringworld by Larry Niven. Summary of the book.
  15. Poems and Songs of Robert Burns by Robert Burns. Summary of the book.
  16. Moloka’i by Alan Brennert (2003). Summary of the book.
  17. Holes by Louis Sachar (1998). Summary of the book.
  18. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (1993). Summary of the book.
  19. Along Came a Spider by James Patterson (1993). Summary of the book.
  20. Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (1992). Summary of the book.
  21. Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon. Summary of the book.
  22. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo (1831). Summary of the book.
  23. Mastery by Robert Greene. Summary of the book.
  24. The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope. Summary of the book.
  25. Memoirs of Madame la Marquise de Montespan — Complete by Madame de Montespan. Summary of the book.
  26. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (2007). Summary of the book.
  27. Shatter Me by Taherah Mafi (2011). Summary of the book.
  28. Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K Hamilton (1993). Summary of the book.
  29. My Search for Warren Harding by Robert Plunkett. Summary of the book.
  30. David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell (2009). Summary of the book.
  31. Call it Sleep by Henry Roth. Summary of the book.
  32. Morvern Callar by Alan Warner. Summary of the book.
  33. Enigma by Robert Harris. Summary of the book.
  34. A History of the Philippines by David P. Barrows. Summary of the book.
  35. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien (1971). Summary of the book.
  36. Institute Benjamenta by Robert Walser. Summary of the book.
  37. A Flag for Sunrise by Robert Stone. Summary of the book.
  38. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig (1974). Summary of the book.
  39. The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. Summary of the book.
  40. A Child Called “It” by David Pelzer (1995). Summary of the book.
  41. Every Day by David Levithan (2012). Summary of the book.
  42. Death at the President’s Lodging by Michael Innes. Summary of the book.
  43. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini. Summary of the book.
  44. The Anatomy of Melancholy by Robert Burton. Summary of the book.
  45. Justice by John Galsworthy. Summary of the book.
  46. Arms and the Man by Bernard Shaw. Summary of the book.
  47. Captain Cook’s Journal During His First Voyage Round the World by James Cook. Summary of the book.
  48. Coloured engravings of heaths; vol. 2 by active 1799-1828 Henry Cranke Andrews. Summary of the book.
  49. Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh (1993). Summary of the book.
  50. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (1869). Summary of the book.

Leave a Comment