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    Kidnapped: Level 3
    Kidnapped: Level 3
    Kidnapped: Level 3
    Audiobook (abridged)49 minutes

    Kidnapped: Level 3

    Written by Robert Louis Stevenson

    Narrated by Iman

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    David Balfour discovers that his uncle is not the oldest son but that his father was actually the eldest and that he then is the rightful heir of his father's estate. His uncle is miserly and deceitful and after failing to have David fall off an unfinished staircase, he then arranges to have him kidnapped. David has a long and treacherous voyage on the boat he was taken by.

    After crashing upon an island, he survives and ultimately makes his way back to his uncle's house. David and his uncle's lawyer trick the uncle into confessing he had David kidnapped and David manages to receive income from his father's estate.

    Historical background: By the year 1751, Scotland had become one with England. Some of the people from the highlands of Scotland were unhappy. They wanted their own Stuart line of kings to rule, so they fought against England. The Highlanders were punished by the English king. The way of life of the Highland people: their clan ownership of lands, their dress, and even their bagpipe music, was being taken away by law.

    Scotland could not stand together against what was really ruled by England. The Lowland people of Scotland did not feel the same as the Highlanders. And there was fighting among the clans. The Highlanders and the family of the Stuart kings did not win. This is only a small part of history behind the setting of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic Kidnapped. It is also interesting to note that the last name of the young man in the book, Balfour, was Stevenson's mother's family name.

    This audio classic novel has been carefully abridged and adapted into 10 short, easy to understand chapters. This format enables listeners of all ages and English language abilities to understand and enjoy the story. Composition includes original custom background music.

    This adventure tale is appropriate for children and adults.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherEDCON Publishing
    Release dateJul 1, 2011
    ISBN9780848113223
    Kidnapped: Level 3
    Author

    Robert Louis Stevenson

    Robert Lewis Balfour Stevenson was born on 13 November 1850, changing his second name to ‘Louis’ at the age of eighteen. He has always been loved and admired by countless readers and critics for ‘the excitement, the fierce joy, the delight in strangeness, the pleasure in deep and dark adventures’ found in his classic stories and, without doubt, he created some of the most horribly unforgettable characters in literature and, above all, Mr. Edward Hyde.

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    Reviews for Kidnapped

    4/5

    59 ratings33 reviews

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    • 5/5
      This is perhaps my favorite adventure novel. The characters are just great and the plot is very quick. In my opinion its much better then Treasure Island. If you want to read a classic that is actually fun, this is the way to go.
    • 4/5
      This was a great story with often unpredictable events. As I am very lucky to have a version that is of original published dates it made it so much more enjoyable. Highly recommended!
    • 5/5
      This book is appropriate for the upper elementary school grade levels. It is an exciting book of a boy who is kidnapped onto a pirate ship. It is a classic that children will enjoy reading for years to come.
    • 4/5
      It's been such a long time since I've read this. A ripping good yarn!
    • 4/5
      Previously I have ranked Robert Louis Stevenson among my favorite authors simply on the basis of Treasure Island, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and selections from A Child’s Garden of Verses. Now I’m pleased to add Kidnapped to that list.In my review of Treasure Island, I called Stevenson a master of atmosphere, and that’s true here as well. He has a most miraculous ability to make me feel like I’ve stepped into a new world and am experiencing it for the first time, side by side with our hero, David Balfour: On the forenoon of the second day, coming to the top of a hill, I saw all the country fall away before me down to the sea; and in the midst of this descent, on a long ridge, the city of Edinburgh smoking like a kiln. There was a flag upon the castle, and ships moving or lying anchored in the firth; both of which, for as far away as they were, I could distinguish clearly; and both brought my country heart into my mouth.But while every page of Treasure Island seems to be bathed in salty air, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in grimy fog, in Kidnapped the atmosphere varies from setting to setting, from scene to scene. There’s a Gothic air pervading the encounters with Uncle Ebenezer (truly one of the lowest and most despicable of Stevenson’s characters, and not at all similar to his usual Devil-as-Gentleman villain), followed by a nautical section that invokes all of the danger and little of the lightness of Treasure Island. The majority of the tale, however, centers on the romance and mystique of the highlands.The character who best embodies Stevenson’s idea of highland honor is Alan Breck Stewart; all the complexity that Stevenson spared in creating Uncle Ebenezer he seems to have kept in reserve for the portrait of this adventurous outlaw, who was a real historical personage. Stevenson’s Alan is alternately heroic and petty, friendly and shortsighted. At times he almost seems younger than his juvenile companion, although he’s never less than sympathetic.By my calculations, David himself ought to be roughly the same age as Jim in Treasure Island, but David is the more complicated character, and thus Kidnapped reads as an “older” story. Unfortunately, it’s also more episodic than Treasure Island, with a weaker plot and an open ending. Still, I enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more Stevenson—including the sequel, Catriona!
    • 4/5
      I loved it
    • 3/5
      I must say that, for once, I found a book a bit difficult to follow. He has written the book very well. No doubt about this. There is lots of local flavour when it comes to the language. However, I did not follow the plot as well as I usually do, and was a bit happy when the book finally ended!
    • 2/5
      The overall story for this book was good, but the strong Scottish dialect made it difficult to follow. Once I gave up on trying to figure out exactly what was going on, the book was more enjoyable.
    • 3/5
      Adventure, murder and friendship. Young boys will find adventure along with David Balfour in the Scottish Highlands during this historical novel of trials through war and the relief of homecoming.
    • 3/5
      I found it simplistic and believe it's description as a boy's adventure novel fitting. It gives some good lessons for "coming of age" young people. I liked the Scottish dialogue, learning a bit of history and the description of the countryside to be an enjoyable part of the book.
    • 2/5
      Disappointing and dated.
    • 4/5
      When 16-year-old David Balfour meets his estranged uncle for the first time, he is shocked by the man's cruelty. Soon, Balfour has been kidnapped and he must rescue himself and travel back to the town of his uncle to claim his inheritance. This is an exciting little book...not quite up to scratch with Treasure Island, but still has quite an adventure. It would probably be a fun book for teenagers to read, if they like classics (or if you want to thrust classics upon them).
    • 5/5
      An awesome adventure and nothing trivial or cliche about it. It is really the first part of a two volume story; it ends abruptly in Edinburgh with only some things resolved and its sequel, Catriona, picks up the story of David Balfour about an hour later. It inspired some thrilling illustrations by N.C. Wyeth and has some very funny bits. David's internal musings are moving and amusing and Allan Breck is a right handful. There is no extreme of weather that poor David does not endure.
    • 5/5
      The best adventure fiction I have ever read, and one of the most satisfying books on many levels. If I hadn't run out of fiction to read on holiday and found this in the thrift shop, I might never have read it. Talk about close shaves! Definite reread material. Setting, pacing, fascinating historical information, the characters of both the land and the people, and the relationship between the protagonists--a Whig and a Jacobite--absolutely brilliant and utterly thirst-quenching.
    • 4/5
      This book is on a par with Treasure Island although it lacks the excitement of a treasure hunt, there is plenty of excitement anyway and the plot is better.
    • 3/5
      If you looking for a glimpse into Scottish Highlander hijinks - and don't mind wading through text that's heavy with brogue - then you'll enjoy this classic by Stevenson.
    • 5/5
      Second only to Treasure Island at the pinnacle of adventure fiction. The early chapters with wicked Uncle Ebeneezer are my favorites. Is anyone aware of a character in fiction named Ebeneezer who is actually a good guy?
    • 5/5
      I enjoyed Michael Page's narration very much & his Scottish burr seemed spot on to these American ears. Betrayal, friendship and adventure in 1751 Scotland with some Jacobite politics in the background... What fun!
    • 4/5
      A young man is dispossessed by his 'evil' uncle and has many challenges on his way back to reclaiming his inheritance. Despite the unrealistic story line the hardships of young David Balfour are portrayed realistically.
    • 3/5
      1047 Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson (read 5 Apr 1970) This is a book for boys, I guess, but not bad reading. It is laid in 1751, and involves David Balfour's adventure in seeking his inheritance, and his implication with Alan Breck Stewart, a Jacobite who probably murdered a Campbell. Really not a substantial or overpowering work, its addition to my list of books read is not of tremendous significance.
    • 4/5
      1751 - Bonnie Prince Charlie and The Jacobite Rebellion still fresh in peoples minds. Sixteen year old, honest and naive David Balfour inextricably linked to fiery, swashbuckling Jacobite Allan Breck. Redcoats chasing them around a Scotland where danger lurks and betrayal is feared for a murder they did not commit. What's not to like?
    • 4/5
      Two hundred page buildup for a four page payoff. Reminds me of a much shorter "Count of Monte Cristo". All setup for revenge. But with both writers, what a sweet payoff as we see Balfour's uncle get his due. Fantastic. I can read it fairly easily, but the dialect is beyond children now.
    • 3/5
      Written for teens. Has much more character development than Treasure Island and covers quite a bit of Jacobite history. Good stuff.Read in Samoa June 2004
    • 5/5
      This story grabs the reader's attention through an action packed adventure around Scotland. We follow David Balfour through his travels to find who he is and claim his true inheritance. This story would be suitable for readers in grades 6 and up.
    • 2/5
      I tried, but it just didn't radiate enough interest for me.
    • 5/5
      This adventurous story follows a seventeen year old boy who is told to find his long lost uncle after his parents die. His travels take a dangerous turn and he ends up being in way more than he had bargained for. If you are looking for an adventure that is steeped in Scottish history and culture, this book is for you. Appropriate for ages 5th grade and up.
    • 4/5
      I liked it but not as much as I thought I would. Honestly, the main problem for me was how long Alan and David were on the run. Chapter after chapter after chapter after chapter of running through bogs and over mountains and through rocky terrain in extreme weather. Instead of being suspenseful, I just found it tedious. I really enjoyed the rest of it, particularly the character of Alan.
    • 5/5
      I read this book as a child. It has always been my favorite. I would recommend it for readers of all ages.
    • 2/5
      It took 2 weeks of struggle and 3 formats to get through this book. I found it a slog, whereas I enjoyed "Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde." I liked the e-reader format because of the built-in dictionary (though quite a few of the words are not in a modern e-dictionary), but ultimately I had to finish it on audiobook. I am interested in the author's use of the name Ebanezer for a Scrooge-like character.
    • 4/5
      When I was a kid, my father had given me his copy that he had as a boy and told me I must read it. No way, too much like Treasure Island, or so I thought. A thoroughly enjoyable tale full of adventure and action and more than a little sprinkling of historical fact from the land of the Scots and English.