Author: Robert Louise Stevenson
Illustration by: Louis Rhead
Paperback Edition 153 pages
ISBN: 978-91-7637-241-8
Publisher: Wisehouse Classics
Copyright: 2016-Sweden
This site uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.. Learn more.
“Shiver me timbers”
“Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!”
These are two of the most iconic phrases used by pirates.
We also have the image of the one-legged seaman, black sails on pirate ships, and X’s on treasure maps and other popular concepts attributed to pirates.
At least in the movies.
All these come from the book “Treasure Island”, by Robert Louise Steven.
About the Author
Robert Louise Steven, a Scottish writer and poet, was born in Edinburgh in the 1850s. Besides Treasure Island, he is also known for “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde “, “Kidnapped” and “The Master of Ballantrae”
SUMMARY
The story is about a young lad named Jim Hawkins who works with both his parents in the family’s inn.
An old pirate had settled down in the Inn, telling many stories about his adventures, but not so much as paying for his stay. So when the pirate dies, Jim went through his belongings to claim some back pay for the Inn. And this was when he discovered the treasure map, X’s and all.
A lad like Jim does not have the resources to do anything with the treasure map. And because the pirates’ former comrades have designs of their own, it would be safer to take the map somewhere else than to keep it.
So he took the map to Dr. Livesey who organized an expedition to reclaim the treasure and asked Jim to come along. On this trip, Jim will learn about his character, about trusting people, and the importance of keeping one’s word.
EVALUATION
I have heard people say that “Treasure Island” is a required reading in school, so most of you may be familiar with the story. And although I have heard of the book, this is the first time I’ve read it. I find the story interesting. The story is mostly from the first person’s point of view, Jim Hawkins, Dr. Livesey and other leading characters.
Movies and TV shows have used Treasure Island as the basis for portraying pirates. And has given us such memorable characters as the one-legged Capt and cook, Long John Silver.
My primary interest has been to see how good a prequel to the Starz original series “Black Sails” is to the book. I will say that it can work if you ignore how a few characters have changed from the Black Sails portrayal to the book. Physically, Long John Silver is a different man. Of course, he may just not have aged gracefully.
Treasure Island is a good book that should cater well to young kids.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE.
Buy this book from Bookshop.org
© 2025, Norman. All rights reserved.