Born in Scotland in 1850, Robert Louis Stevenson was one of the most influential figures in English literature. He grew up in a family of devout Presbyterians under the care of a nurse who was more religious, which led to an obsession with religion at a young age.
When he got sick as a child, she read to him from the Bible and writings by John Bunyan. Stevenson recounts this season of illness in one of his poems from A Child’s Garden of Verses, entitled “The Land of Counterpane.”
Best Robert Louis Stevenson Books to Add to Your Collection
Whether or not you’ve tried reading any of his books, we encourage you to try some of these in our list. We hope the summaries can help you decide which ones to add to your collection first!
1. Treasure Island (1883)
Jim Hawkins’ father owns the inn Admiral Benbow, where Billy Bones, known as a wild seafarer, arrives with a large sea chest. Through a chaotic turn of events, Bones tells Jim about buried treasure, and when he dies, Jim sets off to look for the hidden treasure.
2. A Child’s Garden of Verses (1885)
This collection of poems is written from the perspective of a young child. Stevenson draws pictures from activities and places that any child can relate to, making it a classic favorite among children of all generations.
3. Kidnapped (1886)
Set in Scotland after the Jacobite rebellions, Kidnapped tells about what happens to young David Balfour after he is orphaned. Upon leaving his home, he seeks his fortune among his relatives. But what happens when his own relative kidnaps him?
4. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886)
This novella follows the investigation by a London lawyer on the connection between his friend Dr. Henry Jekyll and the elusive and horrific Edward Hyde. A favorite example of personality disorders, the story also looks into the concept of good and evil in a person, and is one of Stevenson’s most famous works.
5. The Merry Men and Other Tales and Fables (1887)
This collection of short stories will surely entertain you. Although you may think the title is linked to Robin Hood and his Merry Men, it’s actually a name given to a group of waves in the first story in this book.
6. The Black Arrow (1888)
Set during the War of the Roses, this historical adventure doubles as a romance as Stevenson crafts a tale about the life of Richard Shelton. It follows his becoming a knight, rescuing the lady Joanna Sedley, and obtaining justice for his father’s murder.
7. The Master of Ballantrae – A Winter’s Tale (1889)
This dramatic tale follows the life of Master of Ballantrae James Durie, as he leaves his ancestral home to fight in the Scottish rebellion. But what happens when he leaves his younger brother Henry, faithful to the king of England, as heir to the title of Lord Durrisdeer?
8. Father Damien: An Open Letter to the Reverend Dr. Hyde of Honolulu (1890)
This is an example of Robert Louis Stevenson’s nonfiction writing, as he sought to defend Catholic missionary Father Damien who worked among the lepers at Molokai. Reverend C.M. Hyde criticized Father Damien’s work in a letter printed in The Presbyterian newspaper, to which Stevenson addressed his arguments.
What Did Robert Louis Stevenson Write?
Stevenson was a poet, novelist, and also a travel writer. Among his most notable contributions to English literature are the novels Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
His collection of poems for children, published as A Child’s Garden of Verses, is usually a child’s first encounter with this genius.
During his years as a young man, he moved in literary circles in London, getting encouragement from other writers like Edmund Gosse and Andrew Lang. He reached celebrity status while he was alive, and by 2018, was considered the 26th most translated author, next to Charles Dickens.
Reading Robert Louis Stevenson
Perhaps one of the greatest challenges to reading Robert Louis Stevenson’s books is the thick Scottish brogue in the dialogue. For readers during his time, this may not have been a problem, especially since people in England are familiar with their neighbors, Scotland and Ireland.
For a modern-day reader, we would recommend you start off with some of the less complex stories. First, you can get a copy of his A Child’s Garden of Verses. For the novels, Kidnapped and Treasure Island are two good places to start, and we highly encourage you to try out his other books!
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Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
I am related to many great writers. I have inherited the traits of the greatest storytellers of all time. I am looking to write my first book. Odds are my story will capture international interest. Borrowing from Madonna’s book launch of ‘Sex’ – it will be bound in a thin steel cover, a few limited editions and numbered. It is the story of how God came to me and told me a story to save humanity and the truth about who I am.