Kidnapped
Robert Louis Stevenson
Read by Mark F. Smith
David Balfour, a lad of seventeen and newly orphaned, is directed to go and live with his rich uncle, the master of the estate of Shaws in the lowlands of Scotland near Edinburgh. His uncle, Ebenezer (as close a miser as Dickens' Ebenezer Scrooge), is shocked to suddenly have his young relative descend on him and tries to rid himself of David with an arranged accident. Failing that, he pays the captain of a brig to kidnap David and sell him into slavery in Carolina.
A collision in the fog brings onboard the brig a survivor, Alan Breck Stewart, who is carrying a dangerous amount of gold on his person. David warns him of a plan by the brig's captain and crew to overpower him and seize the money, and then finds himself fighting alongside Alan in a battle royale. By good fortune, Alan is handy with a sword and they have access to the firearms locker, and the pair so completely defeat the crew that barely enough hands remain to sail her. Limping to port, she is holed by rocks, and David finds himself a castaway.
Being in Alan's presence continues to be a chancey business. David is talking to Colin Roy Campbell, the King's Factor who has been oppressing Alan's people, when the man is shot to death, and David is chased as an accomplice. The two "take to the heather" and barely survive near brushes with redcoats as they thread through the Trossachs and other highland ranges of Scotland. Only after an arduous weeks-long trek through territory where they are actively hunted do they emerge in the more settled districts around the river Forth, only to find guards upon the bridge. With no money remaining, they must somehow cross to Queensferry, find Ebenezer's lawyer, and lay claim to David's inheritance in order to send Alan safely on to France. (summary by Mark F. Smith) (8 hr 16 min)
Chapters
Preface, Dedication, Disclaimer | 11:26 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
I Journey to the House of Shaws | 10:45 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
I Come to My Journey’s End | 12:01 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
I Make Acquaintance of My Uncle | 16:59 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
I Run a Great Danger in the House of Shaws | 18:24 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
I Go to the Queen’s Ferry | 14:55 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
What Befell at the Queen’s Ferry | 11:31 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
I Go to Sea in the Brig | 16:23 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Round House | 11:32 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Man With the Belt of Gold | 20:13 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Siege of the Roundhouse | 14:48 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Captain Knuckles Under | 10:14 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
I Hear of the Red Fox | 20:12 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Loss of the Brig | 12:49 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Islet | 20:06 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Lad With the Silver Button: Through the Isle of Mull | 17:39 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Lad With the Silver Button: Across Morven | 16:45 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Death of the Red Fox | 12:49 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Talk With Alan in the Wood of Lettermore | 17:45 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The House of Fear | 14:05 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Flight in the Heather: The Rocks | 19:09 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Heugh of Corrynakiegh | 16:20 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Moor | 17:38 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Cluny’s Cage | 19:00 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
The Quarrel | 23:48 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
In Balquhidder | 15:28 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
End of the Flight: We Pass the Forth | 23:46 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
I Come to Mr. Rankeillor | 18:14 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
I Go in Quest of my Inheritance | 17:25 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
I Come Into My Kingdom | 15:40 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Good-bye | 8:53 | Read by Mark F. Smith |
Reviews
awesome!!
Sam
One of my favorite books, I like books like this because they are exciting to read and listen to. Fun fact, Robert Louis Stevenson is a Poem righter also. Irina it is not by mark smith it is by Robert Louis Stevenson just saying because you probably didn’t know. Or I’m just confused lol. Im still listening but it is still a good book. But I like the adventures that lead him to we’re need’s to go. I also like how mark does different voices for the other people.
Kidnapped Brought to Life
NikkiS
I much enjoyed the variety of voices and wonderful accents Mr. Smith employed for each of the characters in this wonderful piece of literature. It’s a great book on its own, but his reading breathes life into the words on the page. Thank you Mr. Smith for putting such quality and effort into this book recording and LibriVox for hosting such efforts in the public domain. I will be looking for both more Mr. Stevenson the author and Mr. Smith the reader.
A K Richardson
Josey Wales
a thoroughly enjoyable experience. kudos to Mr. Smith on his presentation, as he brought to life each character. Writers such as Robert L. Stevenson have been lost, I feel, to later generations of readers. I am thankful for Librivox readers who give of their time and talents to open again the pages of such great literature.
Mark Smith does such a good job
Linda Givler
Kidnapped is a good book. I wish I knew more about Scottish history in order to fully appreciate what was going on. very enjoyable and Mark Smith did such a good job pronouncing the Scottish names.
Fun story
Strawhatsheik
I like this book, not as good as Treasure Island of course, but a fun read. Especially the peek at the historical highlands. Mr Smith does a very good job reading it and reading the tough Scottish accents!
interesting book
Monica Evans
I enjoyed this novel ...not one I'd read before .... happy with the narrator . I was a tad irritated by the abrupt ending because I wanted to know more !! which is yet another reason why it must be a good book .... history,real characters & well read !!
I can't believe I waited this long to read this book!
Sunny
The reader was amazing and the story had me turning pages per say I couldn't put the book down! I would highly recommend this book I am going to look and see if the author has any other books to read.
to Sunny
Sweetpea 0924
Robert Louis Stevenson is also a poet. He also wrote Catronia which is the sequel to Kidnapped. I have never read it, I am still going through Kidnapped, but I have it and am going to read it next.