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lostinthelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I don't know if it was because I was listening to a particularly poor quality audiobook version of this book but I really couldn't keep the story straight. Things seemed to jump around a lot, going from excruciatingly slow to breakneck pace and I kept missing important plot points. There were some good mini storylines and shocking moments and I did appreciate the imperfect characters who had more depth than they usually would in this era. but this one overall didn't grab me.
flanandsorbet's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, RLS is a vastly underappreciated writer. He is not just a Victorian adventure writer, which I fear is his reputation. The the characters' psychology and motivations are complex and believable. In particular, I was struck by James, the villain. I came here to ask other readers: Is this the first literary description of narcissistic personality disorder? I was intrigued by the fact that even people who knew they were being charmed by a rascal (such as the narrator Mackellar) found themselved succumbing to his spell.
When I picked the book up I nearly put it aside because of the dense, old-fashioned writing. But after a few pages, the writer's sensibilities overcame me and I was glad I stayed. The writing is not hard, just different, like listening to someone with a heavy accent. You will pick it up soon enough, and then come to love it. It is one of those things that those reading it NOT in translation should see as a bonus, as it is filled with Scottish turns of phrase that I am now glad to understand. I believe this is the book that reintroduced the word "eldritch" to modern English.
The only reason I didn't give the book five stars is that I had the distinct feeling that RLS had lost the plot at the end. Not literally, the book has a coherent, plausible ending, but I felt that he was distracted and not giving the last section his full artistic attention. Regardless, there were multiple times while reading the book that I said to myself "This guy is a really good writer. Why didn't I know that?"
When I picked the book up I nearly put it aside because of the dense, old-fashioned writing. But after a few pages, the writer's sensibilities overcame me and I was glad I stayed. The writing is not hard, just different, like listening to someone with a heavy accent. You will pick it up soon enough, and then come to love it. It is one of those things that those reading it NOT in translation should see as a bonus, as it is filled with Scottish turns of phrase that I am now glad to understand. I believe this is the book that reintroduced the word "eldritch" to modern English.
The only reason I didn't give the book five stars is that I had the distinct feeling that RLS had lost the plot at the end. Not literally, the book has a coherent, plausible ending, but I felt that he was distracted and not giving the last section his full artistic attention. Regardless, there were multiple times while reading the book that I said to myself "This guy is a really good writer. Why didn't I know that?"
booksarebetter's review against another edition
3.0
I first read Kidnapped many years ago, back when I was maybe fourteen. I've read most of the classics at that age, my grandparents having nice hardback editions of the books sitting on oak shelves (I presume they were oak-what would I know being fourteen?) I breezed through Kidnapped, the Count of Monte Cristo, Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and many many more. But I never read past Kidnapped by RLS, mostly because I had no idea that other of his works existed at the time. I have not only Kidnapped on my shelf but now I also have The Black Arrow and The Master of Ballantrae.
This book was a good read though definitely dated. I have a reprint of the book, and it's a Watermill edition as I'm attempting to collect all of them. While I did so enjoy this lovely little classic, I also found a few issues here and there. The writing took a bit to get into, as classics generally seem to do. For example:
...I left Ruthven (it's hardly necessary to remark) with much greater satisfaction than I had come to it; but whether I missed my way in the deserts, or whether my companions failed me, I soon found myself alone.
After a while that gets rather annoying in terms of run on sentences. Though I grew used to it, it took a while for me to do so and made want to throw the book across the room. I found the characters annoyingly whiny for some of them and for others I just couldn't care less about their plights as they seemed to make poor decisions for everything. The rebellion was interesting however, and I enjoyed the bit of action towards the latter part of the book.
The plot itself was described on the back as two brothers choosing different sides of a war, all to keep their family home in their hands. I won't spoil the book and tell you what happened, that's for you to do.
Overall I give this a solid 3 ⭐. Not bad, and a fairly quick read, but nothing at all like Kidnapped.
This book was a good read though definitely dated. I have a reprint of the book, and it's a Watermill edition as I'm attempting to collect all of them. While I did so enjoy this lovely little classic, I also found a few issues here and there. The writing took a bit to get into, as classics generally seem to do. For example:
...I left Ruthven (it's hardly necessary to remark) with much greater satisfaction than I had come to it; but whether I missed my way in the deserts, or whether my companions failed me, I soon found myself alone.
After a while that gets rather annoying in terms of run on sentences. Though I grew used to it, it took a while for me to do so and made want to throw the book across the room. I found the characters annoyingly whiny for some of them and for others I just couldn't care less about their plights as they seemed to make poor decisions for everything. The rebellion was interesting however, and I enjoyed the bit of action towards the latter part of the book.
The plot itself was described on the back as two brothers choosing different sides of a war, all to keep their family home in their hands. I won't spoil the book and tell you what happened, that's for you to do.
Overall I give this a solid 3 ⭐. Not bad, and a fairly quick read, but nothing at all like Kidnapped.
oddlyconfusing's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
franklyfrank's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rungemaille's review against another edition
5.0
A story that'll remind you of the Cain and Abel trope and of Heart of Darkness, that will have you travel from Scotland to America, that has family feuds, pirates, hidden treasures, that will both entrance you and totally wreck you.
(a quick recommendation, until the day I finally get the time to write an actual review)
[2013 review]
(a quick recommendation, until the day I finally get the time to write an actual review)
[2013 review]
ruthhawes89's review against another edition
1.0
This book had such high potential but the actual execution of it was poor. The story was not gripping or engaging and the writing was all over the place. I struggled to finish it as I could not find the motivation or interest in this book. I was thoroughly disappointed.
rclyburn's review against another edition
3.0
The theme of good and evil was better explored in Jekyll and Hyde. I saw parallels to the parable of the prodigal son, as well as the referenced Jacob and Esau. I love the doubt Stevenson gave. Was Master evil, were we just over-interpreting? Was Henry just too sensitive? I don't like the narration by Mackellar. Also, this is the first novel I've read where wilderness is feared and not awed or triumphed over, and the Canadian in me loves it. Is the relationship between Master and Secundra homosexual?