Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

Adventure! Excitement! The sea! (But nowhere near as good as Treasure Island). While this was a really fun book, a great 'boy's' adventure novel, I had three problems with it. First is my own problem, I don't know enough about the Jacobite uprising, in the aftermath of which this novel is set. I don't know enough about the clan system, or why certain people held certain sympathies. I know it's my own fault, but knowing the full historical context really prevented me from enjoying it fully. I know the basic context, but there were a lot of details that Stevenson takes for granted that his readers will know that I doubt many modern readers will. Second is that I just didn't like the main character. David Balfour is self-righteous, annoying, and somewhat callous. I couldn't relate to him at all and found myself thinking that he rather deserved his misfortunes. The third problem I had is that all the adventures sound of uncomfortable! It might just be me, because I'm peculiarly sensitive to cold, but reading about David constant being wet, cold, sleeping in the open under the rain, falling into various bodies of water and getting colds made me want to take a hot shower, huddle up in bed under ten blankets, and never leave. But there were so many good parts! David's friendship with Alan Breck Stewart (who, despite his boasting and recklessness is definitely the most interesting character in the book) has real psychological depth and resonance and is such a good example of the classical 'friendship through adventure' narrative. Also, Stevenson's descriptions of David's states of mind under psychological and emotional stress are highly perceptive and moving (such as when he kills a man). But still, I far prefer the tropical weather, duplicitous pirates and Jim Hawkins of Treasure Island. Also, I do think that Treasure Island is better written. There's a sequel, but I'm not going to be back for it.