Catriona

De: Robert Louis Stevenson

Narrado por: Frederick Davidson

Catriona, first published in 1893, is the sequel to Kidnapped and continues the adventures of David Balfour and his friend Alan Breck. Balfour returns to the city in order to defend Breck against false charges in the Appin murder. In so doing, he becomes a pawn in a game between feuding Scottish clans; he also sets eyes on a young woman whose involvement in the same matter becomes as central to his actions as his desire to vindicate his comrade in arms.(P)1997 Blackstone Audiobooks

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Frederick Davidson delivers the text of this nineteenth-century novel with a thoroughly convincing variety of Scottish brogues and English accents." (AudioFile)

Finish up the Kidnapped Story

What made the experience of listening to Catriona the most enjoyable?

The narrator is just a joy to listen to. I have always been a big fan of Kidnapped. I remember reading both books as a kid but I've never read Catriona again. Having seen a movie version of Kidnapped (the Michael Caine version) recently I felt like reading the follow up book again. Wasn't exactly like I recall. Somehow I liked James Stuart of the Glenn getting off better than his being hanged in almost an afterthought. Still an enjoyable book.

What did you like best about this story?

David Balfour was as clueless with women as so many of us are. I am still with David, I have no idea why Miss Grant's letter to him would so upset Catriona. I rather wish the author had shared the secret with us.

Have you listened to any of Frederick Davidson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I want to say he did "Farewell to Catilonia" by Orwell. If it wasn't him it was his audible double. They both were very pleasant books.

Any additional comments?

Some parts of the story were a bit disjointed. RLS made a big deal of Davie trying to get James of the Glenn exonerated and then announces his hanging as almost an afterthought. Kidnapped was a better thought out book. It was nice to see David get the girl in the end though.

Beautiful literature, so wonderfully read !

Mr Davidson does such an excellent job in his portrayal of each character! Loved it!

Fredrick Davidson reading

Wonderful story but the best is the brilliant reading by Frederick Davidson, who makes this especially memorable.

Great Sequel

What a very good sequel to Kidnapped for a second book. Enjoy and Wonderful by the author.

Sequel to Kidnapped

The story is about David Balfour (main character of Kidnapped) further adventures.

This romatic sequel was written in about 1893 (seven years after Kidnapped). This story stands on it's own, and you do NOT need to read Kidnapped to fully enjoy this book.

Be prepared that this story requires more focused listening because of the language used during the period. Be sure to listen to the sample.

The story is narrated by Fredrich Davidson who has many excellent voices. If you like 'classic' novels, I would also suggest Dombey and Sons by Charles Dickens also narrated by Fredrich Davidson.

Love this masterful narrator!

though I fall short in comprehending the local dialects when spoken so beautifully by MrDavidson!

A must-read after Kidnapped

I was surprised at the abrupt end of Kidnapped - until I realized that there was a sequel, Catriona. This book continues the story of young Balfour and his adventures until the satisfying conclusion. What a ride! I liked the narrator, although there was one place in particular, when he was narrating one of the tales of David’s captors, that I found it impossible to decipher the dialect. The small tale made no significant difference to the overall story however, so no loss. Otherwise, I found it reasonably easy to follow along. The history of Scotland in the mid 1700’s was a true eye opener. The various rivalries, loyalties, duplicities and political gamesmanship that the fictional David had to maneuver through with actual historic figures was fascinating and kept me listening for more until the end of the adventure. And of course the love story interwoven - there couldn’t be a more compelling sweet character than Catriona herself! Overall, if you liked Kidnapped, you would be doing yourself a disservice to not read this part 2 of the story as it was meant to be.

the rest of the story

If you enjoyed Kidnapped then you must finish the story. because Kidnapped ends in the middle, not at the end.

Remember David's vow: have nothing to do with politics.

A treat

This was an unexpected treat. I read "Kidnapped" in high school (and have listened to several audiobook versions since), but I never got around to reading the sequel. It is, in some ways, an even more interesting story than its predecessor.

David Balfour here completes the process of growing up that he began in the highlands of Scotland. "Catriona" shows the final unfolding of the events that began with the Appin murder. In the process, David is kidnapped again, finds friends in unexpected places, and falls in love. His alliances are complicated: there are few complete saints or sinners here, and even his greatest benefactors are motivated more than a little by self-interest. In the process, David demonstrates physical courage, but more importantly he also shows great moral courage.

There's also, unexpectedly, some sexual tension. David never labels it as such, and Stevenson is discreet in the best Victorian manner, but at one point in the book it's clear that's what's going on. At that point, David and Catriona are thrown together in close proximity, but it's not just the frustrations of love that drive David into frightening mood swings, complete with slammed doors and paroxysms of guilt.

Frederick Davidson is an acquired taste, as I've said in other reviews. I acquired the taste a few years ago and can listen to him now with pleasure and even affection; but my first reaction to his unusual voice was dismay. So I understand that this audiobook may not be to everyone's taste. But if you liked "Kidnapped," and you enjoy Stevenson, and you want to find out how things turned out for David, Alan, and the rest of the gang, give this one a try.

The rest of the story...

I liked "Kidnapped" very well, but was disappointed at the sudden ending. "Catriona" is essentially what should have been the last few chapters of "Kidnapped" followed by a passable romance between David Balfour and the title character. Davidson's narration is not quite as good as in "Kidnapped"--between the Scots dialect words and the Scots accent, some of the supporting characters are nearly unintelligible at times. That didn't interfere with my following the narrative, but it could be a problem for some people. If you liked "Kidnapped" you will want to listen to get all the loose ends tied up. If you haven't listened to "Kidnapped, " do it first.