Book review - Kidnapped.

Just finished Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped. The copy I read was a paperbacked edition printed in 1971 and ran 271 pages. Having often heard of the tale I was looking forward to reading it for myself.

Kidnapped is the fictional story of a young man who comes into an inheritance only to be betrayed by his uncle and sent off by boat for the American colonies. The ship wrecks before leaving the coast of Scotland though and young David Balfour must make his way across Scotland and home to reclaim his inheritance. In route he gets caught up in a murder and the ensuing manhunt.

Stevenson weaves an interesting yarn and incorporates actual historical figures in his narrative. The murder actually took place and was much as described in fact as in fiction. The accused murderer plays a central role in the story and several other historical figures make appearances. The addition of a map on the back of the copy I was reading helped to make sense of the places mentioned in the book.

If you are looking for a quick and entertaining read I recommend Mr. Stevenson's Kidnapped.