The Classic Works of Robert Louis Stevenson

From the adventures of Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island to The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Stevenson's legacy of novels and adventure stories is considerable and filled with colourful characters and rich settings, making for exciting and compelling reads for adults and young readers alike. Robert Louis Stevenson began writing articles whilst studying law at Edinburgh University and his earliest works were inspired by his travels around France. Treasure Island was written in 1883 and was followed by his other great novels, including Kidnapped and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Treasure Island tells the tale of Jim Hawkins and his dramatic adventure involving bloodthirsty pirates and their sinister leader, Long John Silver, and has captured the imaginations of generations of young readers. Kidnapped, too, has all the ingredients of a classic adventure story. Set in the highlands of Scotland during the Jacobite rebellion its hero, Alan Breck Steward, fearless and romantic, is one of Stevenson's most engaging characters. Weir of Hermiston, written in 1896, was left unfinished by Stevenson at the time of his death but contains some of this best writing. A vibrant story about the austere Scottish judge and his son, the novel displays the fruition of Stevenson's narrative abilities. The Master of Ballantrae tells of the lifelong feud between Master Ballantrae and his young brother Henry. This novel in particular underlines Stevenson's preoccupation with destiny and fate. The Black Arrow originally appeared in serial form and is a tremendously exciting adventure story in which the hero, Richard Shelton, fight for the Yorkists during the War of the Roses, encounters Richard III and an infamous band of archers who use the dreaded black arrows. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, tells of how a doctor creates a separate personality, evil in instinct and repulsive in appearance, through the use of a special drug he has discovered. Robert Louis Stevenson's legacy of novels and adventure stories is considerable and filled with colourful characters and rich settings, exciting and compelling for adults and young readers alike.