Kidnapped

Kidnapped is a historical fiction adventure novel by Stevenson. Written as a 'boys' novel' and first published in the magazine Young Folks from May to July 1886, the novel has attracted the praise and admiration of writers as diverse as Henry James, Jorge Luis Borges, and Seamus Heaney.

As historical fiction, it is set around 18th century Scottish events, notably the 'Appin Murder', which occurred near Ballachulish in 1752 in the aftermath of the Jacobite Rising. Many of the characters, and one of the principals, Alan Breck Stewart, were real people. The political situation of the time is portrayed from different viewpoints, and the Scottish Highlanders are treated sympathetically.

The solid historical and environmental background, and the realism with which the physical hardship suffered by Alan and David is described, give the novel an immediacy which perhaps explains the hold it has on some readers, given the simple narrative line and spare plotting. Indeed, plot only takes a dominant role at the beginning and end of the novel, while the heart of it lies in what Henry James described as the 'really excellent' chapters of the flight in the heather. Some of the Scottish dialogue may be hard going for non Scots readers, though Stevenson himself admitted that he had applied only a smattering so as not to tax the inner ear of non Scots. Kidnapped also shows the importance of friendship and loyalty, mostly between David and Alan.

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