Catriona (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1893 |
| Founder | Robert Louis Stevenson |
| Products | Historical adventure novel |
Catriona—also recognized by the title David Balfour—is a novel authored by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1893, functioning as a continuation of Kidnapped (1886). Its initial publication occurred through serialization in Atalanta from December 1892 until September 1893. This work extends the narrative centered on David Balfour, the protagonist introduced in Kidnapped.
Plot summary
The narrative picks up directly following the events of Kidnapped, beginning on 25 August 1751 outside the British Linen Company premises in Edinburgh.
David Balfour endeavors to secure justice for James Stewart (James of the Glens), who faces accusations related to the Appin Murder. He consults with legal counsel and engages with William Grant of Prestongrange, serving as the Lord Advocate of Scotland, to argue James's innocence. Despite these attempts, David is abducted once more and confined on the Bass Rock until James receives a verdict. During his imprisonment, David develops romantic feelings for Catriona MacGregor Drummond, daughter of James MacGregor Drummond (eldest son of Rob Roy), who assists her father’s escape from incarceration. Additionally, Lady Barbara Grant provides David with instruction in refined social manners.
In the subsequent section, David and Catriona journey to Holland, where David pursues legal studies at Leiden University. He financially supports Catriona until her father arrives, although this figure disappoints due to his alcoholism and reliance on David. News arrives regarding the death of David's uncle Ebenezer, resulting in David inheriting his estate. Miscommunications cause tension between David and Catriona, leading her to depart for Dunkirk, France alongside James More. Alan Breck Stewart accompanies David in Leyden and critiques his insufficient understanding of women:
Invited by James More, David and Alan travel to Dunkirk, uncovering that James More has betrayed Alan—who has been convicted in absentia for the Appin Murder—to a nearby Royal Navy vessel. Alan escapes with David and Catriona, who have reconciled and become disillusioned by James More’s treachery. The trio flee to Paris, where David and Catriona wed. Following James More’s death from illness, the couple returns to Scotland to establish their family life.
Characters
Several individuals featured—Alan Breck Stewart, Lord William Grant Prestongrange, James of the Glens, James MacGregor Drummond (eldest son of Rob Roy), the 3rd Duke of Argyll, Simon Fraser of Lovat, Prophet Peden, and Hugh Palliser—are based on authentic historical figures. The frigate HMS Seahorse also genuinely existed.
Conversely, the protagonist Catriona is a fictional creation; historically, James MacGregor fathered seven sons and six daughters but none named Catriona.
Adaptations
The 1971 movie Kidnapped incorporates material from both Kidnapped and the initial portion of Catriona.
External links
- Standard Ebooks edition of Catriona
- David Balfour, Second Part at Project Gutenberg
- Digitized version of Catriona, Cassell edition, London 1893
- Digitized copy of David Balfour being memoirs of his adventures at home and abroad, Charles Scribner's Sons edition (1893), National Library of Scotland. Available in JPEG, PDF, XML formats.
- Articles with short description
- 1893 British novels
- British adventure novels
- Scottish historical novels
- Sequel novels
- Novels set in Edinburgh
- Novels set in the Netherlands
- Novels set in the 1750s
- British novels adapted into films
- Adventure novels adapted into films
- Kidnapped (novel)
- Novels by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Cassell (publisher) books