Kidnapped

Kidnapped is an ancient historical romance novel by established Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson. Penned as a masculine novel, it was the first publication from Young Folks magazine from mid-1886, gaining a massive reputation and respect from authors such as Hilary Mantel, Henry James, and Jorge Luis Borges. In 1893, a sequel, Catriona, was released.

Stevenson would not relent but write prolifically despite ailing from a life-threatening respiratory disease and traveling constantly, which saw him write Kidnapped during his stay in England. Extremely prolific, he standouts as one of the most famous and admired novelists of the English language. Kidnapped made good reception, making numerous sales in his lifetime. After his demise, however, critics were skeptical, and his book was perceived as a boys' affiliated novel. It would later attract approval and recognition by the mid-20th century.

Despite its reception as an adventure novel, it has surpassed different moral concerns, including applying justice and respecting each other's political views. There have been speculations that the novel was an inspiration dating back to the 18th century on a true story of the kidnapping of James Annesley, a 12-year-old heir to respectable crowns by his uncle. He was shipped from Dublin to America in 1728 but escaped 13 years later, returning to find justice from his uncle in one of the most prolonged court cases of its time. However, Kidnapped does not take the turn in Annesley's story. Instead, the ship harboring the main character did not get beyond Scotland.