A Book Review

Because we've been talking about the Jacobites all month, I have decided to recommend to you what I think is one of the best works of fiction on the Jacobites that has ever been written. If you have not yet read Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, you should definitely have a go at it.

Stevenson is probably one of my favorite writers ever. I have loved all his books that I have ever read but Kidnapped is one of my favorites. For those of you who have not read the story, it's set about five years after the Jacobite Rising of '45 and is about a boy, David Balfour, who goes to find his inheritance after his parents are dead. His crazy uncle has him kidnapped and put aboard a ship to be sold as a slave in America. On the voyage, the ship meets with a small boat that is carrying a passenger who was supposed to be getting on a ship to France, but because of the fog that had grown thick, there was a mixup and he ended up on the same ship as David. The man's name is Alan Breck and he is a Jacobite who carries gold from the Highland clans to Bonnie Prince Charlie exiled in France.

This really is a wonderful story, exciting and with history woven through it. It has great historic people like Alan Breck and Cluny McPherson and even an appearance by one of Rob Roy's sons. The story is based heavily around the incident of the Appin Murder (I will post something on this next) which actually happened. This is, in short, a perfect book for anyone who enjoys either a good adventure or Scottish history.

I'll be back monday, have a good weekend!

Slainte, Hazel