Gr 7 Up
This retelling of Stevenson's classic hits the high points of what was originally a densely written story, making it more palatable for reluctant readers or those who want to revisit the original. The text and dialogue retain the spirit of the novel, but the hard-to-read Scottish accents are softened and the passages in which characters speak to each other in Latin have been removed. On the whole this is an engaging adaptation, aided by Kennedy's vibrant illustrations in a palette dominated by blues, greens, and sepia tones. The action scenes are exciting, and readers will get a good feel for the dangers of the sea and the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. However, adapting some parts of the book and using other parts verbatim can be confusing. For example, the last sentence, about David Balfour finding the doors of the British Linen Company's bank, is quoted verbatim. Earlier mention of this bank is not included, which might leave readers wondering why it is significant. Quibbles aside, this book would make a good bridge to the novel for readers who want to delve deeper into the story, and will also prove to those readers who think they hate classics that some of them are actually kind of cool.
Andrea LipinskiCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
I will begin the story of my adventures with a certain morning early in the month of June, the year of grace 1751, when I took the key for the last time out of the door of my father's house". So begins one of the greatest tales in literature, an account of David Balfour's trials and tribulations as he falls foul of his miserly uncle who has him abducted on board ship in order to steal his inheritance. After rescuing Alan Breck on the high seas they are shipwrecked, witness a murder and are themselves suspected, effect a hazardous escape and exact revenge on the wicked Ebenezer thereby regaining David's rightful legacy. "In one of my books and in one only, the characters took the bit in their teeth....they turned their backs on me and walked off bodily; and from that time my task was stenographic - it was they who spoke, it was they who wrote the remainder of the story" - R.L. Stevenson
1001836802
Kidnapped
I will begin the story of my adventures with a certain morning early in the month of June, the year of grace 1751, when I took the key for the last time out of the door of my father's house". So begins one of the greatest tales in literature, an account of David Balfour's trials and tribulations as he falls foul of his miserly uncle who has him abducted on board ship in order to steal his inheritance. After rescuing Alan Breck on the high seas they are shipwrecked, witness a murder and are themselves suspected, effect a hazardous escape and exact revenge on the wicked Ebenezer thereby regaining David's rightful legacy. "In one of my books and in one only, the characters took the bit in their teeth....they turned their backs on me and walked off bodily; and from that time my task was stenographic - it was they who spoke, it was they who wrote the remainder of the story" - R.L. Stevenson
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Editorial Reviews
Product Details
BN ID: | 2940173130082 |
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Publisher: | Assembled Stories |
Publication date: | 03/07/2006 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
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