Treasure Island - Dover Thrift Editions Author:Robert Louis Stevenson Heady tale of a treasure map, a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver and a lethal scramble for buried treasure as seen through the eyes of cabin boy Jim Hawkins. An action-packed adventure story that will hypnotize young readers and entertain older ones.
This book is, in the words of G.K Chesterton, "The realization of an ideal, that which is promised in its provocative and beckoning map; a vision not only of white skeletons but also green palm trees and sapphire seas." G. S. Fraser writes, "There will always be a place for stories like this that can keep boys and old men happy."
Even though I don't consider adventure fiction to be one of my preferred genres, this one held my attention and was fun to read. Maybe because of the 19th-cent. language? The story is actually a series of little adventures that play into one big scenario. Jim Hawkins, a boy who discovers a treasure map after a sea captain's death in his mother's inn, is the main character. I would expect the narrative to be more subjective because it's told by a kid, but the narration is pretty objective. This is typical of the time period for narration, I suppose. I was a little surprised to find Long John Silver to be such a smooth-talking, slippery fellow. This is the first time I've read the book, and he's generally portrayed in a more brutal, violence first way. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was fun and adventurous without being over-the-top.
Climb aboard for the swashbuckling adventure of a lifetime. Treasure Islandhas enthralled (and caused slight seasickness) for decades. The names Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins are destined to remain pieces of folklore for as long as children want to read Robert Louis Stevenson's most famous book. With it's dastardly plot and motley crew of rogues and villains, it seems unlikely that children will ever say no to this timeless classic.
First published in 1883, RLS transformed the Victorian adventure into a classic of its own genre.
A book for every one of us who ever longed for romance, treasure & adventure...
A sunning yarn of piracy on the firey tropic high seas - a tale of teachery embroiing a host of legendary swashbucklers. It is also a complex study of good & evil & all the merry unscrupulous buccaneer rogues whose greedy quest for gold will win the hearts of those who wish we could join them.
Now, I wonder who inspired Pirates of the Carribbean?
Jane C. (JaneEire) reviewed Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions) on
Even in the great literature of the world, memorable heroes and villains very often seem similar from one story to another. But there's only one with a wooden leg and a parrot that comes to mind - Long John Silver, the sea cook. At once charming and murderous, imperious and fawning, he is a completely ruthless survivor. The two sides of his nature are so well drawn that, like the cabin boy Jim Hawkins who tells the story, you want to trust and like Long John, but you can't quite.
TREASURE ISLAND is a story of opposites. Greed, envy, treachery, and murder are balanced against honor, humor, bravery, and compassion. Behind the plot and the fates of the characters lies a tug of war between good and evil. Long John manages to include both in his personality and his actions.
The colorful tale is one that parents will delight in rediscovering as they introduce it to their children. The mysterious guest with a treasure map in his sea chest at the "Admiral Benbow" inn, the attacks on shore and the plots at sea, and, upon reaching the island, the ultimate contest between the vastly outnumbered heroes and the pirate rabble led by Silver - all move the reader at a heartpounding pace.
Because the story is told mainly through the eyes of a young cabin boy, it has been especially popular with generations of children. Jim's straightforward version of the tale is recounted with little self-consciousness or pretense. It is this elegant simplicity that makes it possible to produce an edition that - although abridged for young readers - employs the author's original wording throughout.
The exciting and detailed color illustrations of award-winning artist Alexander Mikhnushev add to the already vivid descriptions of the desolate island, the bloodthirsty pirates, the small band of heroes, and the mad Ben Gunn. Children of all ages will delight in turning to this beautiful hardcover edition of TREASURE ISLAND again and again.
"Illustrator Alexander Mikhnushev once again displays his technical mastery and fine attention to detail. In preparation for doing the artwork, he carefully researched life in the late eighteenth century, including the clothing and ships of the period. To open this book is to step back two hundred years into the world of high seas adventure."
My son LOVED this book. He has read it more than once and enjoys it every time. I think it's the pirates and adventures at sea that make it such a great read for boys!
Great performance, meh story. I love pirates, adventure, historical settings, classics, and full cast performances. This story had all of that, yet it didn't entertain me like I hoped/expected.
I couldn't get into it, even with the very excellent voice cast carrying me through the tale. I suspect this just isn't the story for me, or perhaps it's one of those "must re-read later" kind of books.
Karen L. reviewed Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions) on
This classice tale of pirates and villains, maps and treasure.
Quote: When Jim Hawkins picks up the oilskin packet from Captain Flint's sea chest, he has no idea that here lies the key to untold wealth - a treasure map. He sails on the Hispaniola as cabinboy, with the awesome Long John Silver as ship's cook and the rest of the shifty crew, and embarks on an extraordinary and dangerous quest to find the buried treasure.
This incredible story begins with a mysterious treasure map and an old buccaneer in an English country inn: soon we are on the the high seas in a dangerous Caribbean quest that becomes a desperate battle of wits between young Tom Hawkins and the unforgettable wily old pirate Long John Silver.
This cover is a similar and typical one, but not the actual cover for this addition. This is a classic book and appeals particularly to preteen and teen boys, but is worth reading by nearly anyone.
All time classic.
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote it as a âboy's novelâ so the story is simply told, and fast paced.
The tale is best known for its character Long John Silver. When the book was originally published, the concept of âa bad guy, that's a good guy, sort ofâ wasn't written about. As you can imagine, it caused some problems.
But the story endured and is still one of the greatest!
One of my favorites.
Good read for any age group.
Highly Recommended!
This expertly written adventure tale is still as amusing and "page-turning" for the adult reader as it was when it was first made required reading in junior high school. Also makes a great book to be read aloud to youngsters...
Gr. 5-9. This is one of the best in the Storybook Classic series. True to the spirit of Stevenson's timeless writing ability, he captures the bloody action of mutiny on the high seas and the cutthroat quest for hidden treasure. The story is told through the eyes of brave cabin boy Jim, who fights off the murderous pirates and bonds with their one-legged leader, Long John Silver. Driven by the lure of treasure, the book compels the reader to quickly move to the next page. It's the ultimate classical adventure.
A treasure map of a deserted island leads young Jim Hawkins on an action-packed adventure. Jim finds himself aboard the Hispaniola with none other than Long John Silver and his villainous crew. On a tiny island, Jim is face to face with pirates who will stop at nothing to reach the buried treasure.
Jamin C. (jamincasey) reviewed Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions) on
Stevenson started with a map and the assistance of a boy's imagination. He created a fantastical place where pirates abound and treasure is really to be found. The map, as it did for Stevenson, brings it all to life for the reader. From spyglass hill to skeleton island, the places awaken the heart of adventure that sits, waiting, in the heart of every young (or old) boy (or girl). Coming from a different time, the filters are off that we normally find on our stories today. The pirates are really terrible and the heroes must be truly courageous.
I read this in middle school and wanted to remind myself why I enjoyed it so much. As I recall, it is quite an adventure for a middle school student. Generations later, this story is a bit tamer, but it is still fun to read. Young Jim Hawkins gets involved with pirates, which is still as believable today as it was years ago. This is a great classic; today's kids will struggle with some archaic language used during the 1700s.
