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Kidnapped (novel)

From Alfawiki
Kidnapped
Company typeNovel
IndustryLiterature
Founded1886
FounderRobert Louis Stevenson
ProductsHistorical adventure novel

Kidnapped is a historical adventure tale authored by Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson, initially serialized in Young Folks magazine between May and July 1886. Esteemed by literary figures such as Henry James, Jorge Luis Borges, and Hilary Mantel, it was succeeded by the follow-up novel Catriona in 1893.

The story is set amid authentic 18th-century Scottish occurrences, including the "Appin Murder" and the Highland Clearances following the Jacobite rising of 1745. It merges actual historical events with fictional narrative, illustrating the period’s political strife through various viewpoints and offering a sympathetic portrayal of the Scottish Highlanders. The text is mainly written in English, incorporating some passages in Lowland Scots dialect.

The complete title reads Kidnapped: Being Memoirs of the Adventures of David Balfour in the Year 1751..., chronicling his abduction, survival on a deserted island, trek across the Highlands, and interactions with Jacobite figures such as Alan Breck Stewart.

Plot

In 1751, seventeen-year-old David Balfour arrives at his uncle Ebenezer’s estate, the House of Shaws near Cramond, bearing a letter from his late father. Ebenezer, characterized by greed and suspicion, greets David with hostility and appears intent on obstructing David’s claim to his inheritance. When David attempts to retrieve a chest from an unstable tower, he suspects foul play from his uncle.

The following day, David encounters Captain Hoseason of the brig Covenant, who, in conspiracy with Ebenezer, abducts him with plans to sell him into indentured servitude in the Carolinas. After a shipwreck near the Hebrides, David rescues Alan Breck Stewart, a Jacobite operative deeply involved in contemporary political conflicts. Alan assumes command after eliminating mutineers among the crew and secures their passage back to the mainland.

David discovers Alan’s enmity toward Colin Roy Campbell of Glenure—the King's factor known as the "Red Fox"—whom Alan intends to assassinate. The ship founders on the Torran Rocks; David washes up on Erraid island close to Mull while Alan escapes separately. David endures alone until they reunite.

Their travel through Scotland involves evading government troops following Campbell’s murder, an act for which David is wrongfully suspected. They find shelter with Cluny Macpherson, a Highland chief outlawed by authorities, and Duncan Dhu, an ally of the Maclarens. Despite numerous challenges and David’s deteriorating condition, Alan provides steadfast support.

Alan convinces an innkeeper’s daughter to assist them in crossing the Firth of Forth. There they meet Mr. Rankeillor, a lawyer who aids David in securing his inheritance. Rankeillor explains that although David’s father had informally granted the estate to Ebenezer, this arrangement ceased upon his death.

Alan confronts Ebenezer under false pretenses regarding David’s abduction. Ultimately, Ebenezer admits to paying Hoseason to transport David abroad but consents to grant David two-thirds of the estate income during his lifetime.

The narrative concludes with Alan departing for France and David successfully obtaining his rightful inheritance at a bank located on Corstorphine Hill.

Characters

  • David Balfour, aged 17, pursues his rightful inheritance from his uncle following the passing of his parents. His surname traces back to the author's maternal family line.
  • Ebenezer Balfour, David's uncle, is the current occupant of the entailed family estate.
  • Alexander Balfour, the elder brother of Ebenezer and father to David.
  • Alan Breck Stewart, who accompanies David, is modeled after an actual historical figure.
  • Colin Roy Campbell (known as the Red Fox) crosses paths with David shortly before being fatally wounded in the real-life Appin murder, a pivotal incident within the narrative.

James Stewart, historically executed for Campbell’s killing despite probable innocence, also features in the story.

Notable historical personalities such as Cluny MacPherson and Rob Roy MacGregor along with his son Robìn Òig are either portrayed or mentioned.

Genre

Kidnapped falls within the historical romance genre, emphasizing an authentic portrayal of the period’s atmosphere rather than strict adherence to factual events. A contemporary reviewer remarked that writers of historical fiction should remain true to the spirit of the time instead of focusing solely on chronological precision. Stevenson himself admitted in his introduction that storytelling took precedence over exact accuracy.

The novel reflects the Jacobite viewpoint concerning the Appin murder, situating its events in 1751, although the actual killing occurred in 1752.

Publication history and author

Kidnapped was initially released in serialized form within Young Folks from May through July 1886 and later published as a complete novel that same year.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) developed the concept for this tale by 1880 and conducted thorough research into 18th-century Scottish history. Born and raised in Edinburgh, Stevenson traveled extensively before settling in Samoa for health reasons, where he passed away at age 44. He composed Kidnapped during his residence in England.

Stevenson is regarded as a major figure in English literature, celebrated for numerous influential works including Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Major themes

A prominent theme is justice, exploring its imperfections and the absence of a singular definition. For David, justice involves reclaiming his rightful inheritance; for Alan, it centers on avenging his adversary Colin Roy of Glenure.

Literary critic Leslie Fiedler identified a recurring "mythic idea" within Stevenson's writings, including Kidnapped: the "Beloved Scoundrel" or "Devil as Angel," representing "the beauty of evil." Alan embodies this archetype—a rebellious deserter lacking Christian ethics—yet ultimately good prevails through David Balfour’s journey.

Literary significance and criticism

During Stevenson’s lifetime, Kidnapped enjoyed commercial success but was later regarded as a mere boys’ adventure tale. By mid-20th century, critical opinion shifted positively, with acclaim from distinguished authors such as Henry James, Jorge Luis Borges, and Hilary Mantel.

Though primarily an adventure narrative, it thoughtfully engages with ethical questions surrounding justice and political divisions among friends.

Sequel

The follow-up novel, titled Catriona, was released in 1893.

Adaptations

Kidnapped has seen numerous adaptations across various forms of media. It has been brought to the screen in multiple film and television productions, with versions released in 1917, 1938, 1948, 1960, 1968, 1971, 1978, 1986, 1995, and 2005.

A theatrical rendition by Keith Dewhurst was staged by the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company in Edinburgh in 1972. This production starred Paul Young as David Balfour and James Grant portraying Alan Breck Stewart, accompanied by music composed by Steeleye Span.

BBC Radio 4 broadcast dramatizations twice: once in 1985 with a script by Catherine Czerkawska and again in 2016 adapted by Chris Dolan. These featured prominent actors including David Rintoul and Owen Whitelaw.

Between 2007 and 2008, Marvel Illustrated issued a comic book adaptation created by Roy Thomas and Mario Gully, who had previously adapted Treasure Island.

In 2023, the National Theatre of Scotland debuted a fresh stage adaptation that cast Frances Stevenson as the narrator and reinterpreted the relationship between David Balfour and Alan Breck Stewart as romantic.

Possible inspirations for the plot

The narrative may have been partially influenced by the real-life events surrounding James Annesley, an 18th-century heir to five noble titles who was abducted by his uncle Richard and transported from Dublin to America in 1728. After spending thirteen years in captivity, Annesley escaped and engaged in an extensive legal battle to reclaim his inheritance. Unlike this true story, Kidnapped situates its abduction entirely within Scotland, offering a rich portrayal of the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands while focusing on the protagonist witnessing the murder of Colin Roy Campbell.

Historian A. Roger Ekirch suggested that Stevenson, knowledgeable about legal history, was likely aware of Annesley's tale, which had inspired several nineteenth-century novels including Sir Walter Scott's Guy Mannering (1815). In contrast, Scottish writer Andro Linklater pointed out that Stevenson’s wife identified The Trial of James Stewart, a contemporary report on the Appin Murder, as the chief source for the novel’s storyline. Stevenson himself never mentioned Annesley’s case in his own accounts.

Edinburgh: City of Literature

In recognition of Edinburgh's status as the inaugural UNESCO City of Literature, three distinct editions of Kidnapped were distributed free throughout the city in February 2007, totaling 25,000 copies. This campaign sought to enhance public appreciation of literary heritage and foster engagement.

A monument celebrating Stevenson's work was unveiled in 2004 on Corstorphine Road in Edinburgh. It depicts characters Alan Breck Stewart and David Balfour at their point of separation within the novel. Crafted by Scottish sculptor Alexander Stoddart and unveiled by Sean Connery, the statue highlights Kidnapped's cultural importance and its economic impact on Edinburgh.

Other commercially oriented editions include:

  • A new printing overseen by Barry Menikoff.
  • A version adapted for children.
  • A graphic novel adaptation released in 2007 by Alan Grant and Cam Kennedy, which has been translated into Lowland Scots and Scots Gaelic to extend its appeal across different linguistic markets.

Bibliography


External links

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