Young David Balfour's quest for his inheritance leads to betrayal, shipwreck, and unlikely friendship with rebel Alan Breck in 18th-century Scotland. Stevenson's 19th-century adventure novel combines political intrigue with a compelling coming-of-age story set against the Highland clan conflicts.
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. The sun began to shine upon the summit of the hills as I went down the road; and by the time I had come as far as the manse, the blackbirds were whistling in the garden lilacs, and the mist that hung around the valley in the time of the dawn was beginning to arise and die away. Mr. Campbell, the minister of Essendean, was waiting for me by the garden gate, good man! He asked me if I had breakfasted; and hearing that I lacked for nothing, he took my hand in both of his and clapped it kindly under his arm. “Well, Davie, lad,” said he, “I will go with you as far as the ford, to set you on the way.” And we began to walk forward in silence.Continue reading →
A sickly Scottish writer who transformed his lifelong battle with illness into literary adventure, this 19th-century author created timeless tales of moral conflict and exotic escapism. His masterpieces "Treasure Island" and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" revolutionized adventure fiction and psychological horror, establishing him as one of literature's greatest storytellers. All works by Robert Louis Stevenson →
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