Stevenson wasn't a "great writer" in the sense of writing literature for literature's sake, so it is natural that critics wouldn't be fond of him. He was basica

Stevenson wasn't a "great writer" in the sense of writing literature for literature's sake, so it is natural that critics wouldn't be fond of him. He was basically the John Grisham of his time -- an author of enjoyable novels -- and some, like "Treasure Island", remain popular to this day.