David Balfour vs Kidnapped: Which Should You Read?
Both live on shelves: Scotland, Kidnapping, British and irish fiction, Historical Fiction, Adventure, History
David Balfour
From the book:It is the fate of sequels to disappoint those who have waited for them; and my David, having been left to kick his heels for more than a lustre in the British Linen Company’s office, must expect his late…
vs
Kidnapped
KIDNAPPED is an adventure story that has become the model for any thriller of escape and suspense. Set in 1751, the flight of David Balfour and Alan Breck across the Highlands of Scotland is based on real events.…
1 film adaptation
The verdict
- Ratings are close across the board — any is a safe pick by score.
- Kidnapped is the quickest read — about 4 hours vs 7 for David Balfour.
- Kidnapped has the widest readership — 69187 ratings behind its score.
- Kidnapped runs the darker storyline; David Balfour stays the lighter read.
How to choose
Want a one-evening read?
Kidnapped
≈ 4h vs 7h for David Balfour
Want the crowd-tested pick?
Kidnapped
69187 ratings vs 1801 for David Balfour
New to the genre?
Kidnapped
Challenging vs Demanding for David Balfour
In the mood for something dark?
Kidnapped
a darker storyline than David Balfour
Want something lighter?
David Balfour
an easier tone than Kidnapped
Scores by source
| David Balfour | Kidnapped | |
|---|---|---|
| Goodreads | 3.6 (1801) | 3.8 (69187) |
| Hardcover | 4.2 (3) | 4.5 (1) |
| Google Books | — | 4.5 (2) |
| Apple Books | — | 4.0 (139) |
Reception
| David Balfour | Kidnapped | |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | 1801 | 69187 |
| Editions | 280 | 352 |
| Citations | — | 15 |
| Film adaptations | 1 | 1 |
| Want to read | 2112 | 34311 |
| Reading it now | 167 | 4242 |
| Written reviews | 218 | 3066 |
| Wikipedia attention | 131 | 6936 |
| Pages | 392 | 219 |