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David Balfour #1-2
Приключенията на Дейвид Балфур
Kidnapped was first published in 1886, and Catriona, its sequel, in 1893. They are both novels of adventure and romance whose appeal to children and adults alike has not diminished in the century since they were written. This is the only edition to contain both novels in one volume.
528 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1893
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755 people want to read
About the author
Robert Louis Stevenson
6,826 books6,938 followersRobert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer, and a leading representative of English literature. He was greatly admired by many authors, including Jorge Luis Borges, Ernest Hemingway, Rudyard Kipling and Vladimir Nabokov.
Most modernist writers dismissed him, however, because he was popular and did not write within their narrow definition of literature. It is only recently that critics have begun to look beyond Stevenson's popularity and allow him a place in the Western canon.
Most modernist writers dismissed him, however, because he was popular and did not write within their narrow definition of literature. It is only recently that critics have begun to look beyond Stevenson's popularity and allow him a place in the Western canon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
April 7, 2019
Kidnapped and Catriona
Published in the magazine Young Folks in 1886, Kidnapped was intended as a novel for boys treating the youth and adolescence of the Scottish lad David Balfour, but is in fact much more than that because of the vivid descriptions of the Scottish highlands and the fine fathoming of several of its characters.
After his father’s death, the hero of the story, David, heir to the House of Shaws in Cramond, is sent to live with his uncle Ebenezer Balfour, a parsimonious and shifty legacy hunter, who has bilked his brother out of his rightful inheritance. In order to further enjoy the fruits of his deceitful scheme, Ebenezer tries to kill his nephew, and upon all his homicidal plans failing, has him kidnapped by Captain Hoseason, condemning him to a life as a slave in the colonies. During his adventures on board the Covenant, however, David makes the acquaintance of Alan Stuart, and the two fight against Hoseason and his crew, forcing them to put them back on Scottish soil. At this point the story turns into a historical novel, because our young hero is suddenly involved in the Jacobite Rising against the English and even becomes a suspect in the Appin Murder. In the course of his adventures, David also gets to know Catriona, the daughter of James More, another rebel against British hegemony in Scotland, and he falls in love with her.
The novel is rich in geographic and historical detail, and Stevenson interweaves reality and fiction in a most intriguing way, quite a lot of his characters, the honourable and vain Alan for instance, being based on real historical people. Consequently the reader finds himself entangled in an intricately spun yarn of atmospheric density. Although the main character is marred, to my mind, by his development from a rather naïve boy to a world-wise square, many other characters are life-like and likeable, above all Catriona, who is one of the most enchanting female characters I have ever come across in literature. Were she a person of flesh and blood, I would probably also have hopelessly fallen for her. Also the character of her father, James More, is an impressive study in what we may call a tragic fall from grandeur.
The love story of David and Catriona is likewise realistic and convincing in its development; you do not find any of the trite and kitschy stereotype that is so typical of even great writers even though the two live coyly as brother and sister in two rooms in the city of Dunkirk for a while. Compare with this the ludicrous island scenes of Jack London’s The Sea-Wolf and the terribly sentimental excursions in which Hump slobbers over prim and proper Maud, and you will know what I am talking about.
All in all, the two novels are highly recommendable for all those who like to read a demanding adventure story.
Published in the magazine Young Folks in 1886, Kidnapped was intended as a novel for boys treating the youth and adolescence of the Scottish lad David Balfour, but is in fact much more than that because of the vivid descriptions of the Scottish highlands and the fine fathoming of several of its characters.
After his father’s death, the hero of the story, David, heir to the House of Shaws in Cramond, is sent to live with his uncle Ebenezer Balfour, a parsimonious and shifty legacy hunter, who has bilked his brother out of his rightful inheritance. In order to further enjoy the fruits of his deceitful scheme, Ebenezer tries to kill his nephew, and upon all his homicidal plans failing, has him kidnapped by Captain Hoseason, condemning him to a life as a slave in the colonies. During his adventures on board the Covenant, however, David makes the acquaintance of Alan Stuart, and the two fight against Hoseason and his crew, forcing them to put them back on Scottish soil. At this point the story turns into a historical novel, because our young hero is suddenly involved in the Jacobite Rising against the English and even becomes a suspect in the Appin Murder. In the course of his adventures, David also gets to know Catriona, the daughter of James More, another rebel against British hegemony in Scotland, and he falls in love with her.
The novel is rich in geographic and historical detail, and Stevenson interweaves reality and fiction in a most intriguing way, quite a lot of his characters, the honourable and vain Alan for instance, being based on real historical people. Consequently the reader finds himself entangled in an intricately spun yarn of atmospheric density. Although the main character is marred, to my mind, by his development from a rather naïve boy to a world-wise square, many other characters are life-like and likeable, above all Catriona, who is one of the most enchanting female characters I have ever come across in literature. Were she a person of flesh and blood, I would probably also have hopelessly fallen for her. Also the character of her father, James More, is an impressive study in what we may call a tragic fall from grandeur.
The love story of David and Catriona is likewise realistic and convincing in its development; you do not find any of the trite and kitschy stereotype that is so typical of even great writers even though the two live coyly as brother and sister in two rooms in the city of Dunkirk for a while. Compare with this the ludicrous island scenes of Jack London’s The Sea-Wolf and the terribly sentimental excursions in which Hump slobbers over prim and proper Maud, and you will know what I am talking about.
All in all, the two novels are highly recommendable for all those who like to read a demanding adventure story.
April 26, 2022
"Nolaupītais": 5/5
"Katriona": 4/5
Pārlasīt pusaudžu vecumā lasītos piedzīvojumu romānus ir visai riskanti, jo gadās pamatīgi vilties. Mainu Rīdu pārlasīt, piemēram, nav diez ko laba doma. Par laimi, Stīvensons ir pavisam cita klase. "Nolaupītais" no līdz šim lasītajiem Stīvensona darbiem man vienmēr bijis pats mīļākais ("Bagātību salu", protams, esmu lasījusi vairākkārt, bet vismaz pusaudžu gados diez kā pie sirds šis pirātu gabals negāja). Tagad pārlasot, jāatzīst, ka "Nolaupītais" patiešām ir ļoti labs romāns. Turklāt ļoti interesants ir pats vēsturiskais fons. Visbiežāk jau rakstnieki izvēlas aprakstīt vēstures lūzuma punktus, bet šajā romānā darbība notiek jau pēc jakobītu sacelšanās sakāves, kad Skotijā ir aizliegts kilts un tartāns, daži izdzīvojušie klanu vadoņi ir trimdā Francijā un vēl cer uz restaurāciju, bet arī Hailendā vēl viršos slēpjas ne vien viens džentlmenis, kam ir nopietnas problēmas ar karaļa Džordža likumu. Uz šī fona rodas draudzība starp šādu karstgalvīgu džentlmeni un jauno, krietnā Loulendas skotu skolotāja ģimenē uzaugušo Deividu Belfūru, un viņus kopā gaida visai neparasti piedzīvojumi.
Savādā kārtā šķiet, ka šoreiz grāmatu izbaudīju vēl vairāk nekā pusaudzes gados, jo vēsturiskās detaļas un atsauces uz tādiem notikumiem kā, piemēram, Kulodenas kauja, izsaka mazliet vairāk nekā toreiz. Manuprāt, ļoti meistarīgi uzrakstīts stāsts.
"Katrionas" pārlasīšana arī izrādījās patīkams notikums. Galvenais turpinājuma trūkums ir tas, ka romāns it kā salūzt uz pusēm. Pirmajā pusē Deivids tiek izvilkts juridiskā piņķerī, izmisīgi mēģinot izpestīt no cilpas slepkavībā nevainīgu kalnieti, bet process ir politizēts un viegli tas nenākas. Starp citu, cik saprotu, Stīvensons rūpīgi ņēmis vērā reālās izmeklēšanas peripetijas, jo "Epinas slepkavība" ir patiess notikums. Savukārt otra romāna puse būtībā labsirdīgi iesmej par to, cik dumji var būt ļoti jauni un ļoti iemīlējušies ļautiņi.
P.S. Ja nu pēc Dikensa "Ziemassvētku dziesmas" iznākšanas kādi vecāki britu salās vēl bija ar mieru nosaukt atvasi par Ebenīzeru, tad pēc "Nolaupītā" iznākšanas viņiem būtu vajadzējis padomāt divreiz. Arī šajā grāmatā tēvocis Ebenīzers ir ļoti "spilgts" personāžs. :)
"Katriona": 4/5
Pārlasīt pusaudžu vecumā lasītos piedzīvojumu romānus ir visai riskanti, jo gadās pamatīgi vilties. Mainu Rīdu pārlasīt, piemēram, nav diez ko laba doma. Par laimi, Stīvensons ir pavisam cita klase. "Nolaupītais" no līdz šim lasītajiem Stīvensona darbiem man vienmēr bijis pats mīļākais ("Bagātību salu", protams, esmu lasījusi vairākkārt, bet vismaz pusaudžu gados diez kā pie sirds šis pirātu gabals negāja). Tagad pārlasot, jāatzīst, ka "Nolaupītais" patiešām ir ļoti labs romāns. Turklāt ļoti interesants ir pats vēsturiskais fons. Visbiežāk jau rakstnieki izvēlas aprakstīt vēstures lūzuma punktus, bet šajā romānā darbība notiek jau pēc jakobītu sacelšanās sakāves, kad Skotijā ir aizliegts kilts un tartāns, daži izdzīvojušie klanu vadoņi ir trimdā Francijā un vēl cer uz restaurāciju, bet arī Hailendā vēl viršos slēpjas ne vien viens džentlmenis, kam ir nopietnas problēmas ar karaļa Džordža likumu. Uz šī fona rodas draudzība starp šādu karstgalvīgu džentlmeni un jauno, krietnā Loulendas skotu skolotāja ģimenē uzaugušo Deividu Belfūru, un viņus kopā gaida visai neparasti piedzīvojumi.
Savādā kārtā šķiet, ka šoreiz grāmatu izbaudīju vēl vairāk nekā pusaudzes gados, jo vēsturiskās detaļas un atsauces uz tādiem notikumiem kā, piemēram, Kulodenas kauja, izsaka mazliet vairāk nekā toreiz. Manuprāt, ļoti meistarīgi uzrakstīts stāsts.
"Katrionas" pārlasīšana arī izrādījās patīkams notikums. Galvenais turpinājuma trūkums ir tas, ka romāns it kā salūzt uz pusēm. Pirmajā pusē Deivids tiek izvilkts juridiskā piņķerī, izmisīgi mēģinot izpestīt no cilpas slepkavībā nevainīgu kalnieti, bet process ir politizēts un viegli tas nenākas. Starp citu, cik saprotu, Stīvensons rūpīgi ņēmis vērā reālās izmeklēšanas peripetijas, jo "Epinas slepkavība" ir patiess notikums. Savukārt otra romāna puse būtībā labsirdīgi iesmej par to, cik dumji var būt ļoti jauni un ļoti iemīlējušies ļautiņi.
P.S. Ja nu pēc Dikensa "Ziemassvētku dziesmas" iznākšanas kādi vecāki britu salās vēl bija ar mieru nosaukt atvasi par Ebenīzeru, tad pēc "Nolaupītā" iznākšanas viņiem būtu vajadzējis padomāt divreiz. Arī šajā grāmatā tēvocis Ebenīzers ir ļoti "spilgts" personāžs. :)
January 19, 2016
Скільки ж всіляких умовностей існувало колись, та й зараз не без них. І щасливо жити можна було б. Напевно, через років сто, хтось читатиме твори наших сучасників і думатиме: "От наївні".
October 7, 2017
Catriona needs to be adapted honestly, if a modern audience is to enjoy it. The scottish dialect is just too heavy for comfortable reading.
December 17, 2021
Apparently, Catriona, the sequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped, is less well known to readers, but it is, in my opinion, the superior novel of the two.
It was rewarding to read these two yarns, originally published in 1886 and 1893 respectively, and set in Scotland in 1751, consecutively in the same volume. Catriona follows on directly from the end of Kidnapped with no gap in the story's timeline.
Both stories are narrated from the viewpoint of young David Balfour, an orphan who is betrayed by his Uncle Ebenezer over an inheritance from his late father. David was lured into setting sail to sea, against his will - hence, 'kidnapped'.
He is rescued in relatively short order by Alan Breck, a notorious rebel and supporter of the Jacobite cause, and the two set out on a tough pursuit across the Scottish Highlands with the redcoat soldiers hot on their tails.
The story deals more with the chase across country than the time spent at sea, making the title somewhat misleading. In the manner of romantic fiction, matters for David Balfour are ultimately put right, albeit that his friend Alan Breck, a friend of the Stewarts and a foe of the Campbells is still on the run.
Catriona commences with young Balfour attempting to put matters right with the law, although there are others that plot against the outcome David seeks, mainly for political purposes. David is once more held against his will, on an island, not to be harmed, but to be kept isolated while legal proceedings are resolved. He is, in effect, prevented from testifying in favour of Alan Breck on an erroneous charge of murder that has been brought against him.
In parallel with this plot line is the developing romance between David and Catriona, grand daughter of Rob Roy and daughter of the irresponsible rogue, James More. Again Breck steps in the aid his young friend Balfour in matters of both personal well-being and of romance of the heart.
Together, the novels are of the popular romantic adventure type, very popular in the day. In my view, they are not always successful, with too many patches where there was insufficient action to maintain dramatic tension and a solid pace.
I also struggled with some of the dialogue, written in a broad Scottish brogue, containing to many words and expressions whose meaning was obscure.
These are reasonably good yarns, but nowhere near as good as, say, Treasure Island.
It was rewarding to read these two yarns, originally published in 1886 and 1893 respectively, and set in Scotland in 1751, consecutively in the same volume. Catriona follows on directly from the end of Kidnapped with no gap in the story's timeline.
Both stories are narrated from the viewpoint of young David Balfour, an orphan who is betrayed by his Uncle Ebenezer over an inheritance from his late father. David was lured into setting sail to sea, against his will - hence, 'kidnapped'.
He is rescued in relatively short order by Alan Breck, a notorious rebel and supporter of the Jacobite cause, and the two set out on a tough pursuit across the Scottish Highlands with the redcoat soldiers hot on their tails.
The story deals more with the chase across country than the time spent at sea, making the title somewhat misleading. In the manner of romantic fiction, matters for David Balfour are ultimately put right, albeit that his friend Alan Breck, a friend of the Stewarts and a foe of the Campbells is still on the run.
Catriona commences with young Balfour attempting to put matters right with the law, although there are others that plot against the outcome David seeks, mainly for political purposes. David is once more held against his will, on an island, not to be harmed, but to be kept isolated while legal proceedings are resolved. He is, in effect, prevented from testifying in favour of Alan Breck on an erroneous charge of murder that has been brought against him.
In parallel with this plot line is the developing romance between David and Catriona, grand daughter of Rob Roy and daughter of the irresponsible rogue, James More. Again Breck steps in the aid his young friend Balfour in matters of both personal well-being and of romance of the heart.
Together, the novels are of the popular romantic adventure type, very popular in the day. In my view, they are not always successful, with too many patches where there was insufficient action to maintain dramatic tension and a solid pace.
I also struggled with some of the dialogue, written in a broad Scottish brogue, containing to many words and expressions whose meaning was obscure.
These are reasonably good yarns, but nowhere near as good as, say, Treasure Island.
November 6, 2008
Under the wide and starry sky,
Dig the grave and let me lie.
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.
This be the verse you grave for me:
"Here he lies where he longed to be;
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill."
Robert Louis Stevenson
As far as I can recall, it is only the section in inverted commas which is graven on Robert Louis' grave on that high hill in Samoa. I had the rare privilege of climbing up to it in January 1975 with two friends during a 3 months South Pacific Soujourn which took in the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Samoa.I will never forget that climb. We wore thongs which took us over thousands of rounded stones, thus ensuring that we had sore and aching feet for some days afterwards.And the steamy climate resulted in my cotton shirt being drenched as if a bucket of water had been thrown over it.(If only it had, with me still in it!!!)Dennis, whom we had come to Samoa to visit,and yours truly had plonked ourselves, exhausted,(What else!)on the raised edge of Robert Louis' tomb and it was there that John immortalised our visit on camera.I remember reading that wistful, melancholy yet wholly accepting verse and it still leaves me with a tear in my eye.
And now for "Catriona", Robert Louis' last completed novel, written of course on Samoa and whose political machinations and superstitious psychology parallel somewhat political events and consequent fearful omens indicative of anxiety, waiting and discontent in Samoa.
I read "Kidnapped" last year because I'd seen several film and TV versions and wanted to find out from the horse's mouth so to speak. I DID enjoy the "genuine article".And ALL the seemingly Hollywood obligatory "romantic love" stuff was totally missing.
Then recalled vaguely that there were further adventures of David Balfour and the enigmatic and conceited but very attractive Alan Breck; and as I'd always enjoyed their company, whether in book or film form, I took myself off to the local library after a fruitless search of the book stores and got my copy yesterday after an inter-library search.
Some classics are definitely becoming extinct!!!During my fruitless search, I came across a man in a bookshop last week asking about John Evelyn's diaries(1641-1706).I wished him luck and assured him the search was worth it.The World's Classics ceased publishing their paperback version some years ago.I picked up my Evelyn secondhand for $20.00, hardcover, published by Frederick and Warne, London(publishers of Beatrix Potter's wee books!!) no date, but their Complete Works of Shakespeare are advertised with other classics in the back pages all in 4 distinct styles, prices ranging from:
1 shilling and sixpence for a neat paper cover;
2 shillings for cloth gilt,new style, cut edges edition;
2 shillings for library style,smooth dark blue cloth,white label,uncut;
and finally 2 shillings and sixpence for library style extra(imitation Roxburghe), leather label,gilt top,trimmed edges.
Anyone care to hazard a guess as to the date of publication!!
By the way, I think mine ,having cut edges and blue cover with gilt print, may be the second one priced above.
My edition(back to Robert Louis!!) has "Kidnapped" and "Catriona" in one volume as published by the World's Classics - but NO LONGER!!!!AND other of their classics, I may add, have dropped out of print. SEE!!...extinct!!
"Kidnapped", these days, is published without Part Two,ie. Catriona, but THAT is NOT how Stevenson conceived of it."Kidnapped" is definitely UN-finished. When we leave David, he may have come into his inheritance, but he is still under suspicion of aiding and abetting a murder;and Alan Breck is under suspicion of having committed that murder. For what good reason did Robert Louis not finish the book in one go? And when he did, why was it that "Kidnapped" (1886) had had to wait until 1893, not for its sequel, as World Classics' Introducton might claim, but for its conclusion??
Well, the answer to the latter question is: Life. Life intervened. Death (RL's father), and ill health, and travel and resettlement(in Samoa).
And the answer to the former question is Life, again.
Stevenson could no longer continue with the book ie."Kidnapped", as illness had got the better of him"..says the Introduction in World's Classics. Rather than butcher, as he himself said, "alot of good material for no good purpose", Stevenson had to be content "to leave the door open for a sequel if the public take to it." And they did...hence the sequel or mere continuation of "Kidnapped", for it begins exactly where the Part One finished - with David still in peril, and Alan too. The public did take to "Kidnapped", so that as early as May 1887 Stevenson and his publisher Cassell had agreed on a 'sequel' So Stevenson was able to save his "good material" but whether it was to good purpose only the reader of "Catriona" can tell.
After having read only the first chapter of "Catriona", I realise I owed an apology to Hollywood (OUCH!!).David IS in love. (This is no boys' book!)And the language is difficult. (Have our previous and present generations of youth been dumbed down by writers? Today, no sign of complex sentence structures, clauses, challenging vocabulary...by the standards of children's lit of the 19th Century.) And Stevenson was DEFINITELY writing to be published in a young people's magazine. Both books had a strong appeal for adults, but "Kidnapped" was written primarily for boys and serialised in "Young Folks", while "Catriona" was serialised in a girls' magazine,"Atalanta". It was the Scottish language that really threw me.Thankfully a more extensive glossary than Stevenson provided IS provided here.It certainly adds to the flavour an essential ingredient but can make for alot of frustration...it really is like reading a foreign language on occasions.
Well, I'm definitely more informed and now sorry I didn't purchase that latest biography of Robert Louis I saw reduced two days ago!!If I purchase it you will be hearing alot more from me!!If not, you'll still be hearing alot more from me!!I guess I'll be apologising to more than Hollywood!!...wayne.
I have just phoned Glee Books in Sydney, and the biography lies waiting for me beneath the front counter!!!
Dig the grave and let me lie.
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.
This be the verse you grave for me:
"Here he lies where he longed to be;
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill."
Robert Louis Stevenson
As far as I can recall, it is only the section in inverted commas which is graven on Robert Louis' grave on that high hill in Samoa. I had the rare privilege of climbing up to it in January 1975 with two friends during a 3 months South Pacific Soujourn which took in the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Samoa.I will never forget that climb. We wore thongs which took us over thousands of rounded stones, thus ensuring that we had sore and aching feet for some days afterwards.And the steamy climate resulted in my cotton shirt being drenched as if a bucket of water had been thrown over it.(If only it had, with me still in it!!!)Dennis, whom we had come to Samoa to visit,and yours truly had plonked ourselves, exhausted,(What else!)on the raised edge of Robert Louis' tomb and it was there that John immortalised our visit on camera.I remember reading that wistful, melancholy yet wholly accepting verse and it still leaves me with a tear in my eye.
And now for "Catriona", Robert Louis' last completed novel, written of course on Samoa and whose political machinations and superstitious psychology parallel somewhat political events and consequent fearful omens indicative of anxiety, waiting and discontent in Samoa.
I read "Kidnapped" last year because I'd seen several film and TV versions and wanted to find out from the horse's mouth so to speak. I DID enjoy the "genuine article".And ALL the seemingly Hollywood obligatory "romantic love" stuff was totally missing.
Then recalled vaguely that there were further adventures of David Balfour and the enigmatic and conceited but very attractive Alan Breck; and as I'd always enjoyed their company, whether in book or film form, I took myself off to the local library after a fruitless search of the book stores and got my copy yesterday after an inter-library search.
Some classics are definitely becoming extinct!!!During my fruitless search, I came across a man in a bookshop last week asking about John Evelyn's diaries(1641-1706).I wished him luck and assured him the search was worth it.The World's Classics ceased publishing their paperback version some years ago.I picked up my Evelyn secondhand for $20.00, hardcover, published by Frederick and Warne, London(publishers of Beatrix Potter's wee books!!) no date, but their Complete Works of Shakespeare are advertised with other classics in the back pages all in 4 distinct styles, prices ranging from:
1 shilling and sixpence for a neat paper cover;
2 shillings for cloth gilt,new style, cut edges edition;
2 shillings for library style,smooth dark blue cloth,white label,uncut;
and finally 2 shillings and sixpence for library style extra(imitation Roxburghe), leather label,gilt top,trimmed edges.
Anyone care to hazard a guess as to the date of publication!!
By the way, I think mine ,having cut edges and blue cover with gilt print, may be the second one priced above.
My edition(back to Robert Louis!!) has "Kidnapped" and "Catriona" in one volume as published by the World's Classics - but NO LONGER!!!!AND other of their classics, I may add, have dropped out of print. SEE!!...extinct!!
"Kidnapped", these days, is published without Part Two,ie. Catriona, but THAT is NOT how Stevenson conceived of it."Kidnapped" is definitely UN-finished. When we leave David, he may have come into his inheritance, but he is still under suspicion of aiding and abetting a murder;and Alan Breck is under suspicion of having committed that murder. For what good reason did Robert Louis not finish the book in one go? And when he did, why was it that "Kidnapped" (1886) had had to wait until 1893, not for its sequel, as World Classics' Introducton might claim, but for its conclusion??
Well, the answer to the latter question is: Life. Life intervened. Death (RL's father), and ill health, and travel and resettlement(in Samoa).
And the answer to the former question is Life, again.
Stevenson could no longer continue with the book ie."Kidnapped", as illness had got the better of him"..says the Introduction in World's Classics. Rather than butcher, as he himself said, "alot of good material for no good purpose", Stevenson had to be content "to leave the door open for a sequel if the public take to it." And they did...hence the sequel or mere continuation of "Kidnapped", for it begins exactly where the Part One finished - with David still in peril, and Alan too. The public did take to "Kidnapped", so that as early as May 1887 Stevenson and his publisher Cassell had agreed on a 'sequel' So Stevenson was able to save his "good material" but whether it was to good purpose only the reader of "Catriona" can tell.
After having read only the first chapter of "Catriona", I realise I owed an apology to Hollywood (OUCH!!).David IS in love. (This is no boys' book!)And the language is difficult. (Have our previous and present generations of youth been dumbed down by writers? Today, no sign of complex sentence structures, clauses, challenging vocabulary...by the standards of children's lit of the 19th Century.) And Stevenson was DEFINITELY writing to be published in a young people's magazine. Both books had a strong appeal for adults, but "Kidnapped" was written primarily for boys and serialised in "Young Folks", while "Catriona" was serialised in a girls' magazine,"Atalanta". It was the Scottish language that really threw me.Thankfully a more extensive glossary than Stevenson provided IS provided here.It certainly adds to the flavour an essential ingredient but can make for alot of frustration...it really is like reading a foreign language on occasions.
Well, I'm definitely more informed and now sorry I didn't purchase that latest biography of Robert Louis I saw reduced two days ago!!If I purchase it you will be hearing alot more from me!!If not, you'll still be hearing alot more from me!!I guess I'll be apologising to more than Hollywood!!...wayne.
I have just phoned Glee Books in Sydney, and the biography lies waiting for me beneath the front counter!!!
February 6, 2024
This rating is for KIDNAPPED, which is a brilliant and fun buddy story, a rollicking adventure, and a great travelogue. Stevenson’s prose and storytelling is top notch.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for CATRIONA. Davie is such a great narrator. While this isn’t as fun as KIDNAPPED - can anything be? - and it bogs down in parts, I’m just left surprised at how crisp Stevenson’s prose is.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for CATRIONA. Davie is such a great narrator. While this isn’t as fun as KIDNAPPED - can anything be? - and it bogs down in parts, I’m just left surprised at how crisp Stevenson’s prose is.
September 8, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyable adventure yarn followed by a love story to rival any. I read Kidnapped some years ago and now Catriona - the sequel - the further adventures of Davie Balfour of Shaws. I must admit to nearly giving up on Catriona as a novel; it took me about 100 pages to get into the Scots dialect and passages like:-
‘Aye!’ said I to myself, and not to the daft limmer, ‘and did they come to such a figure for so poor a business? This is to lose all indeed.’
‘Gie’s your loof, hinny,’ says she, ‘and let me spae your weird to ye.’
…which is colourful but it does take some time to get your eye in.
Persistence is rewarded however and once our proud but naive hero is striking across country and getting captured, first (his heart) by the beautiful Catriona Drummond and then his person by forces determined to prevent him giving evidence at the murder trial in Invarary, the story becomes a rollicking good read. From imprisonment on Bass rock (with added gannets) eventually to Holland, ostensibly to learn Law at Leyden but, in reality, to anguished frustration with his beloved Catriona having to pretend to be his sister to avoid the scandal of involuntary cohabitation. Davie has to affect disinterest and disguise his true feelings and the mixed messages mess with Catriona so completely that they are alienated as a couple, especially when her dad turns up to misinterpret things.
Can best mate Alan Breck save the day and his own neck?
‘Aye!’ said I to myself, and not to the daft limmer, ‘and did they come to such a figure for so poor a business? This is to lose all indeed.’
‘Gie’s your loof, hinny,’ says she, ‘and let me spae your weird to ye.’
…which is colourful but it does take some time to get your eye in.
Persistence is rewarded however and once our proud but naive hero is striking across country and getting captured, first (his heart) by the beautiful Catriona Drummond and then his person by forces determined to prevent him giving evidence at the murder trial in Invarary, the story becomes a rollicking good read. From imprisonment on Bass rock (with added gannets) eventually to Holland, ostensibly to learn Law at Leyden but, in reality, to anguished frustration with his beloved Catriona having to pretend to be his sister to avoid the scandal of involuntary cohabitation. Davie has to affect disinterest and disguise his true feelings and the mixed messages mess with Catriona so completely that they are alienated as a couple, especially when her dad turns up to misinterpret things.
Can best mate Alan Breck save the day and his own neck?
January 19, 2016
Even though I have read a couple of Stevenson's books and his poetry, I am still not a huge fan of his work. However, I appreciated the historical aspect of this book, especially in light of what of was going on in America during the upheaval in Scotland in the mid-1700s. I feel a closer connection to the history of Scotland from this book and would recommend it to friends, even if I did not totally love the book.
I should also mention that I only read Kidnapped. If I did not have other books that need to be read, my intrigue would certainly result in reading the sequel.
I should also mention that I only read Kidnapped. If I did not have other books that need to be read, my intrigue would certainly result in reading the sequel.
July 7, 2012
I really enjoyed these books. I listened to the audio and some parts were pretty hard to understand because of the style of talking that some of the characters have. Overall pretty good, but I don't know that I'd feel much desire to read again in the future.
October 28, 2021
"-Es usted una muchacha sanguinaria- observé
- No, sé que es bueno hilar y coser y hacer dechado - dijo- pero si usted no hiciera más que eso acabaría por considerarlo muy pesado. Por otra parte, no me parece que sienta ganas de matar a nadie. ¿Y usted, ha matado a alguien? "
Catriona, 1893
Robert Louis Stevenson
Editorial Bruguera, 1986
Traducción de Silvia Serra
Siguiendo las aventuras narradas en Secuestrado, Catriona es una novela de aventuras que sigue las peripecias del joven David Balfour y las complicaciones reportadas por el asesinato de Appin del que fue testigo junto a su amigo Alan Breck. Por supuesto, el personaje femenino que da título a la obra, Catriona, descendiente del legendario Rob Roy, tiene un papel fundamental en la historia.
Otra gran aventura de la mano del maestro Stevenson
Trimestre de aniversario del #clubclásicosjuveniles
#catriona #robertlouisstevenson #leoclásicos #leeresvivir #leermola #libros #clubclásicosjuveniles #libroseaventuras #britishclassic
- No, sé que es bueno hilar y coser y hacer dechado - dijo- pero si usted no hiciera más que eso acabaría por considerarlo muy pesado. Por otra parte, no me parece que sienta ganas de matar a nadie. ¿Y usted, ha matado a alguien? "
Catriona, 1893
Robert Louis Stevenson
Editorial Bruguera, 1986
Traducción de Silvia Serra
Siguiendo las aventuras narradas en Secuestrado, Catriona es una novela de aventuras que sigue las peripecias del joven David Balfour y las complicaciones reportadas por el asesinato de Appin del que fue testigo junto a su amigo Alan Breck. Por supuesto, el personaje femenino que da título a la obra, Catriona, descendiente del legendario Rob Roy, tiene un papel fundamental en la historia.
Otra gran aventura de la mano del maestro Stevenson
Trimestre de aniversario del #clubclásicosjuveniles
#catriona #robertlouisstevenson #leoclásicos #leeresvivir #leermola #libros #clubclásicosjuveniles #libroseaventuras #britishclassic
March 4, 2025
Οι περιπέτειες του δεκαεξάχρονου Ντέιβιντ Μπάλφουρ που πέφτει θύμα απαγωγής από το θείο του και φορτώνεται στο αμπάρι ενός πλοίου για να πουληθεί σκλάβος στην Αμερική. Με τη βοήθεια ενός αντάρτη και λόγω ναυαγίου δραπετεύει, αλλά εμπλέκεται στον αγώνα των Σκοτσέζων χαϊλάντερ ενάντια στην αγγλική εξουσία. Κατηγορείται άδικα για μια δολοφονία. Προσπαθώντας να διαλευκάνει το έγκλημα και να απαλλαγεί από την κατηγορία ερωτεύεται την Κατριόνα και μπλέκεται σε νέες περιπέτειες.
Τίποτα το ουσιαστικό...
"Καμιά κατηγορία ανθρώπων δεν είναι απόλυτα κακή. Καθεμία έχει τα χαρίσματα και τα κουσούρια της και οι ναυτικοί του Κόβεναντ δεν αποτελούσαν εξαίρεση στον κανόνα. Βέβαια ήταν άξεστοι και κακοί, είχαν όμως και αρετές."
"Είμαι ένας άνθρωπος που αφιερώνει όλη του τη μέριμνα στην υπεράσπιση των συμφερόντων της χώρας αυτής και σας επιβάλλω μία πολιτική αναγκαιότητα. Ο πατριωτισμός δεν είναι πάντοτε ηθικός με την στενή σχέση έννοια της λέξης."
Τίποτα το ουσιαστικό...
"Καμιά κατηγορία ανθρώπων δεν είναι απόλυτα κακή. Καθεμία έχει τα χαρίσματα και τα κουσούρια της και οι ναυτικοί του Κόβεναντ δεν αποτελούσαν εξαίρεση στον κανόνα. Βέβαια ήταν άξεστοι και κακοί, είχαν όμως και αρετές."
"Είμαι ένας άνθρωπος που αφιερώνει όλη του τη μέριμνα στην υπεράσπιση των συμφερόντων της χώρας αυτής και σας επιβάλλω μία πολιτική αναγκαιότητα. Ο πατριωτισμός δεν είναι πάντοτε ηθικός με την στενή σχέση έννοια της λέξης."
November 7, 2025
Книга читається досить легко.
Цікава історія про те, що не потрібно здаватися й опускати руки, навіть коли здається, що все проти тебе.
Особливо цікаво спостерігати, як автор описує життя звичайних людей і навіть тих, хто вважався заможним у той час — як вони жили у бідності та наскільки це відрізняється від сьогодення.
Ще відмітив що з часом поведінка людей майже не змінюється — як і раніше, є порядні, не дуже, а також жадібні й заздрісні.
З історій різних епох можна побачити, що сутність людини залишається майже незмінною.
Загалом — повчальна та надихаюча книга, рекомендую до прочитання.
Цікава історія про те, що не потрібно здаватися й опускати руки, навіть коли здається, що все проти тебе.
Особливо цікаво спостерігати, як автор описує життя звичайних людей і навіть тих, хто вважався заможним у той час — як вони жили у бідності та наскільки це відрізняється від сьогодення.
Ще відмітив що з часом поведінка людей майже не змінюється — як і раніше, є порядні, не дуже, а також жадібні й заздрісні.
З історій різних епох можна побачити, що сутність людини залишається майже незмінною.
Загалом — повчальна та надихаюча книга, рекомендую до прочитання.
August 9, 2020
Sequel to Kidnapped, beginning August 25, 1751 where ‘Kidnapped’ ends
David Balfour tries to gain justice for James Stewart, charged in the Appin murder, is held captive on Bass Rock, falls in love with Caterina MacGregor Drummond, daughter of James More, who was Rob Roy’s eldest son
“Why, how will you know that? “ says she. “By means of a magical talisman God gave to me when I was born, and the name they call it by is Commonsense.”
“To proceed, then, said I, will it do any good to Scotland? We have a saying that it is an ill bird that fouls his own nest.”
David Balfour tries to gain justice for James Stewart, charged in the Appin murder, is held captive on Bass Rock, falls in love with Caterina MacGregor Drummond, daughter of James More, who was Rob Roy’s eldest son
“Why, how will you know that? “ says she. “By means of a magical talisman God gave to me when I was born, and the name they call it by is Commonsense.”
“To proceed, then, said I, will it do any good to Scotland? We have a saying that it is an ill bird that fouls his own nest.”
July 12, 2020
I never read this in childhood - Treasure Island was my introduction to Stevenson's work. Kidnapped is a much more adult book, with finely nuanced morality, and many shades of grey. Notwithstanding, it tells a good story, in a seemingly accurate historical setting. Both main characters are very credible, as is the Scotland depicted. This edition has a helpful glossary, which unfortunately I did not find until about twenty pages before the end.
October 9, 2023
Even though it took me a lot longer than I expected, I had fun reading this. Stevenson writes himself (in 1886) in his "Dedication" in Kidnapped that his purpose with this book is to steal some young gentleman's attention from his Ovid, so I'm sure a 40 year old Norwegian woman reading in 2023 was not his intended audience. Still I enjoyed it just fine, and learned some Scottish history in the bargain!
October 7, 2022
These were amongst the first books that I read as a young teenager. Kidnapped, especially caught my attention at the time. The relationship between the main characters was so well written. I loved the story. This was based on a real life incident in the highlands and it sparked my interest so much that I proceeded to find the memorial to James of the Glens.
February 1, 2024
Certamente eu apenas li esse livro, na adolescência, em consequência da leitura anterior de "A ilha do tesouro". Como eu gostei muito da leitura, ao descobrir outro livro do Stevenson, foi natural que eu quisesse ler também, ávido que estava pelo mesmo ambiente de aventuras que ele já havia me proporcionado. E aqui, novamente, deixei-me envolver pela história contada.
October 10, 2020
Este libro lo leí en mi adolescencia y recuerdo que fue uno de los que más me gustó de Robert Louis Stevenson, aventuras, viajes y conspiración, una gran amistad entre dos personajes con ideales y convicciones políticas diferentes
March 1, 2024
RLS gets stuck in the children's section too often. To be fair I first read Kidnapped when given it as a school prize, but I saw it anew re-reading it recently. Catriona I had never read before, and although it lacks the narrative drive of Kidnapped, the characters are vividly created as before
January 26, 2018
I enjoyed this book, until it just... ended. Abruptly. So abruptly I thought some pages had been torn out of the back of the book.
August 4, 2020
Kidnapped great, Catriona not so much
February 21, 2022
Catriona is a fitting sequel to RLS’ “Kidnapped” but falls short of the classic. RLS’ prose is always exceptional, so if you have read Kidnapped, you must read Catriona.
December 13, 2022
Amazing adventure in Scotland history and traditions
January 25, 2023
W book stevenson da goat
Read
September 3, 2023Not my cup of tea especially with all the Scottish English used
May 6, 2024
Sigue el tono del anterior, ingles enrevesado y complicado.
March 24, 2025
Just ‘Kidnapped.”
Marvelous tale of youth. The people throb with life, the landcapes are felt by all our senses, and we all want Alan Breck on our side.
Marvelous tale of youth. The people throb with life, the landcapes are felt by all our senses, and we all want Alan Breck on our side.
July 13, 2025
kidnapped was very good.
catriona was also good but not as exciting.
catriona was also good but not as exciting.
Read
August 23, 2024Um I’d like to speak to RLS in the afterlife and ask him why he excluded his best character from half of Catriona
EDIT: I didn't learn until after finishing this book that "Catriona" is pronounced "Katrina". Sigh. These Scots bro
EDIT: I didn't learn until after finishing this book that "Catriona" is pronounced "Katrina". Sigh. These Scots bro
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