Catriona

By Robert Louis Stevenson. Edited by Colin Heston

 Volume XI of The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson contains the full text of the novel Catriona, a sequel to Kidnapped. The story continues the adventures of David Balfour, focusing on his involvement in the Appin murder case and his evolving relationship with Catriona Drummond. The narrative is set in 18th-century Scotland and Europe and explores themes of justice, loyalty, personal integrity, and love. David begins the story as a penniless youth and gradually rises to become a landed laird. Along the way, he becomes entangled in the political and legal complexities of the Appin murder, a real historical event. He interacts with powerful figures such as the Lord Advocate Prestongrange and the manipulative Simon Fraser, and he is forced to navigate a world of intrigue and betrayal. Despite being kidnapped and held on the Bass Rock to prevent him from testifying, David escapes and arrives just in time to influence the trial’s outcome. The novel also follows David’s deepening relationship with Catriona, the daughter of the morally ambiguous James More. Their bond is tested by misunderstandings, political danger, and the manipulations of others, but ultimately they marry and return to Scotland together. The story is rich in historical detail and character development, with David maturing from a naive boy into a principled and courageous man. Throughout the novel, Stevenson weaves a complex tale of moral dilemmas, strategic decisions, and emotional growth. The characters are vividly drawn, and the settings—from the streets of Edinburgh to the courts of Holland—are brought to life with evocative detail. The narrative is both a romantic adventure and a thoughtful exploration of conscience and character.

Read-Me.Org. Australia, Philadelphia, New York. 2025. 193p.