Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Kidnapped. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: David Balfour, kidnapped by his miserly uncle Ebenezer and shipwrecked in Scotland, survives a flight across the Highlands with the Jacobite Alan Breck Stewart. With a lawyer's help, David tricks Ebenezer into confessing, wins two-thirds of the estate's income and says goodbye to Alan, who escapes to France.
Quick facts
– Book: Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
– First published: 1886
– Type: An adventure novel
– Tone of the ending: Satisfying
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Orphaned David visits his uncle Ebenezer at the House of Shaws, who tries to kill him and then has him kidnapped onto a ship bound for slavery. On board, David meets Alan Breck. After a shipwreck, they witness the murder of Colin Campbell, the “Red Fox,” and are suspected.
What Happens at the End of Kidnapped
David and Alan flee through the Highlands for weeks, hiding from redcoats on rocks in the sun, sheltering in Cluny Macpherson's hidden 'cage,' and nearly starving. Exhausted and ill, they quarrel bitterly when Alan gambles away their money, then make up when David collapses. They reach Edinburgh, where David meets the lawyer Mr. Rankeillor and learns his father was the elder brother, so the estate should be his. At night, Alan, hidden near the House of Shaws, pretends to Ebenezer that he has David captive and asks whether to kill him or keep him. Ebenezer admits he paid the ship's captain to kidnap David, while Rankeillor and David listen. Ebenezer agrees to pay David two-thirds of the estate's income. David arranges for Alan's escape to France, and they part on a hillside near Edinburgh.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- David gets his inheritance.
- Ebenezer confesses.
- Alan escapes.
- The friends part.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| David Balfour | Wins his inheritance |
| Alan Breck Stewart | Escapes to France |
| Ebenezer Balfour | Tricked |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows courage and friendship.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers love Alan Breck, a vain, brave and loyal friend, and the contrast between the cautious Lowlander David and the fiery Highlander. The story continues in Catriona.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Friendship. David and Alan.
Justice. David gets his inheritance.
Adventure. The flight.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Kidnapped as satisfying. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Robert Louis Stevenson to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are satisfying will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Robert Louis Stevenson closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Kidnapped with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about friendship, and do you agree with Robert Louis Stevenson's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as satisfying, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces friendship and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Robert Louis Stevenson leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Kidnapped often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Kidnapped earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Kidnapped on Amazon
Books to Read After Kidnapped
- Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
- The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan
Related: Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson: Summary and Key Takeaways · What Age Is Kidnapped Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Kidnapped?
David Balfour, kidnapped by his miserly uncle Ebenezer and shipwrecked in Scotland, survives a flight across the Highlands with the Jacobite Alan Breck Stewart. With a lawyer's help, David tricks Ebenezer into confessing, wins two-thirds of the estate's income and says goodbye to Alan, who escapes to France.
Is the ending of Kidnapped happy or sad?
Most readers call it satisfying.
What does the ending of Kidnapped mean?
The ending shows courage and friendship.
Who wrote Kidnapped and when was it published?
Kidnapped was written by Robert Louis Stevenson and first published in 1886.
Is Kidnapped worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy adventure novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Robert Louis Stevenson prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Kidnapped before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.