Kidnapped

August 29, 2016
In 1751, after the untimely deaths of his parents, Scotsman David Balfour, the 17-year-old protagonist and narrator of Stevenson’s classic adventure yarn, travels to his father’s childhood home to meet with his uncle, Ebenezer. Instead of a warm welcome, Ebenezer pays the captain of a pirate ship to kidnap his nephew and transport him to America. On board, David meets dashing Highlander Alan Breck Stewart, and together they manage to take over the ship, beginning a friendship that continues through several land-based adventures. One of these involves witness (and escaping blame for) a murder. Scottish actor Rintoul does an amazing job of delivering a bouquet of brogues—including David’s mild-mannered narration, his uncle’s croaky, angry snarl, and Alan Stewart’s almost musical, supremely confident pronouncements.

Stevenson's classic novel of murder, betrayal, and adventure on the high seas tells of the trials of young David Balfour, who is kidnapped by his miserly Uncle Ebenezer and carried off to the Carolinas. While Shakespearean actor Ralph Cosham does an especially good job with Scottish accents, his main narrative seems somewhat flat, conveying little of the enthusiasm you might expect from a young boy telling his harrowing tale. P.B.J. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine


In an attempt to collect his inheritance from his father's estate, young David Balfour finds himself pressed aboard the ship of an evil captain and crew. His eventual escape during a shipwreck leads to even more exciting travails and danger. Since much of the Stevenson's writing centers on Scotland and the Scots character, narrator Steven Crossley reads this tale as its author might have. Adept at the language of the region and times, Crossley deftly brings one of literature's best-known stories to the ears of contemporary listeners. His renditions of the sea chanteys and poetry mixed into the prose showcase his breadth of talent. Those who enjoy the classics will find both story and performance delightful. J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine