- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Oxford Paperbacks; New edition edition (5 Mar 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0192833804
- ISBN-13: 978-0192833808
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 1.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 838,345 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
Treasure Island
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Product Description
Review
"Pleasant to read, scrupulously edited."--Tan Duncan, Yale Univ.
Book Description
A new edition of this exciting tale of pirates, skulduggery and buried treasure
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
SQUIRE TRELAWNEY, Dr Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, from the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the island, and that only because there is still treasure not yet lifted, I take up my pen in the year of grace 17-, and go back to the time when my father kept the 'Admiral Benbow' inn, and the brown old seaman, with the sabre cut, first took up his lodging under our roof. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
SQUIRE TRELAWNEY, Dr Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, from the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the island, and that only because there is still treasure not yet lifted, I take up my pen in the year of grace 17-, and go back to the time when my father kept the 'Admiral Benbow' inn, and the brown old seaman, with the sabre cut, first took up his lodging under our roof. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
72 of 75 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Treasure Island is one of a small number of books that are both for children and adults. The appeal of the book for children relates to the story line: pirates, buried treasure, sea voyages to faraway places, and a boy hero. The appeal of the book for adults is in seeing a wonderful example of how events operate at many different levels. Long John Silver quickly becomes the focus for adults. What is his true nature? What will he do next? Clearly, Silver is one of the most interesting and memorable of all fictional characters.
A problem that children will have with this book is that the language is somewhat foreign to them. Some adults and children will find that the book starts slowly compared to newer novels (which often have the equivalent of a chase sequence in the first 5 pages).
My advice is to stick with the story for the first 6 chapters, and see how you are doing. By that time, the story will either have cast its spell on you, or you will be able to tell that this book is not for you.
A final reason for reading Treasure Island is because the book has been read by so many people. You will find references to the story in other literature and in conversation with others. You will also run into establishments called The Admiral Benbow Inn. It would be a shame not ot know its heritage. Also, finding someone else who likes Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver for the same reasons you do is a great shortcut to becoming better acquainted.
Personally, I found the story irresistible. I would have written a very similar book if I had the skill to do so. The plot is nicely balanced, and the characters provide an unusual perspective for what could easily have been a real potboiler with little to recommend it. The book has great charm, given its focus on pirates, which makes it compelling for me. I have now read the book 3 times, and enjoyed it more each time.
Have a great read!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
If you want a story that really doesn't stop from start to finish then this is it. I hadn't read it since I was a you boy although I've seen it often enough with Robert Newton as Silver. It was a revelation. The story is crisp and gallops along; scarcely a line is wasted and the descriptions are vivid. The attack by Hands must surely trouble youngsters but hey, isn't that what books like this should do? Good triumphs over evil, but even evil can be softened and allowed a break. Highly recommended.
THe Kindle edition is faultless.
THe Kindle edition is faultless.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There are certain books that are so deeply embedded in our history and culture that you somehow feel you have read them even if you have not. Treasure Island is one such book. I remember as a child watching the film version at Christmas and being so terrified by both Long John Silver and, perhaps oddly, by Ben Gunn, that I almost couldn't watch. At the same time I was unsurprisingly very enamoured of brave young Jim the boy hero with whom I of course felt I could identify.
So it was with this legacy that I picked the book up some thirty years later to finally actually read it. Two things in particular surprised me in the opening chapters, firstly I had no idea how wonderfully gothic the start of the book is. The creaking Admiral Benbow Inn provides a suitably sinister backdrop for the macabre triumvirate of Captain Bill, Black Dog and best of all Blind Pew, as they `graah' and `aaahh' their way into the story. All are much larger than life but no worse for it and are clearly templates, along with Long John Silver, for many, many fictional `gentleman of fortune' who have graced page and screen since, not least Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow. Secondly I was surprised by the protagonist and narrator Jim. He is a genuinely independent boy hero with more than his fair share of wilfulness and impetuosity mixed in with the predictable obedience and piety. As the story unfolds, his apparent determination to do whatever he wants seems to grow to the point where he is in danger of becoming rather irritating. Twice he recklessly abandons his friends but on both occasions his absconding proves eventually, to his and his friends' advantage. A hero indeed with the sort of youthful exuberance and stubbornness with which every child can relate.
In the final analysis Treasure Island is not much more than a very finely written adventure story but then neither does it pretend to be. Stevenson does not seem to have had much interest in moralising or edifying and he certainly was not out to offer unique insights into the human condition, indeed the characters of Dr Livesey and Squire Trelawney are two-dimensional at best. Simply it is thoroughly enjoyable and engaging throughout, by turns extremely funny and genuinely frightening. A beautifully paced, carefully plotted example of nineteenth century children's adventure literature at its very best.
So it was with this legacy that I picked the book up some thirty years later to finally actually read it. Two things in particular surprised me in the opening chapters, firstly I had no idea how wonderfully gothic the start of the book is. The creaking Admiral Benbow Inn provides a suitably sinister backdrop for the macabre triumvirate of Captain Bill, Black Dog and best of all Blind Pew, as they `graah' and `aaahh' their way into the story. All are much larger than life but no worse for it and are clearly templates, along with Long John Silver, for many, many fictional `gentleman of fortune' who have graced page and screen since, not least Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow. Secondly I was surprised by the protagonist and narrator Jim. He is a genuinely independent boy hero with more than his fair share of wilfulness and impetuosity mixed in with the predictable obedience and piety. As the story unfolds, his apparent determination to do whatever he wants seems to grow to the point where he is in danger of becoming rather irritating. Twice he recklessly abandons his friends but on both occasions his absconding proves eventually, to his and his friends' advantage. A hero indeed with the sort of youthful exuberance and stubbornness with which every child can relate.
In the final analysis Treasure Island is not much more than a very finely written adventure story but then neither does it pretend to be. Stevenson does not seem to have had much interest in moralising or edifying and he certainly was not out to offer unique insights into the human condition, indeed the characters of Dr Livesey and Squire Trelawney are two-dimensional at best. Simply it is thoroughly enjoyable and engaging throughout, by turns extremely funny and genuinely frightening. A beautifully paced, carefully plotted example of nineteenth century children's adventure literature at its very best.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A classic
I downloaded this as one of those books that I thought I should read as it's a classic. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more as a child but I struggled with it a bit. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Suzie
Classic Adventure
This was the first time I've read this book, after purchasing it from Amazon and it's truly a children's classic adventure. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Darcy
Treasure Island
Typical Boys-Own story, enjoyed by someone in their second childhood. It could have been significantly abridged but it would need to read the original edition to confirm this.
Published 28 days ago by K. L. Hitchings
Surprisingly enjoyable
I read this randomly and was expecting the usual pirate cliches (which I am aware would have originated here). Read more
Published 1 month ago by jamo
Treasure Island as an adult
Reread this book as an adult and immerse yourself in a wonderfully written book. This should prepare you for reading the follow up which has just been written.
Published 1 month ago by mazg63
First Class!
I hadn't read this since I was at school. (Those were the days when everything was in black and white.)
I thouroughly enjoyed this reread. An excellent story. Read more
I thouroughly enjoyed this reread. An excellent story. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Douglas Moore
treasured classic
remembered from child hood decided to re read not dissapointed . helped by remembering film versions when reading it.enjoyed it ,had time to read it almost in one go.
Published 1 month ago by ian
COLLECTORS LIBRARY TREASURE iSLAND
Excellent story in a well known format from a well respected publisher.
A well targeted edition aimed at the younger, discerning reader who wants and respects good... Read more
A well targeted edition aimed at the younger, discerning reader who wants and respects good... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. T. Conway Mrs Conway
Classic
This is actually a very simple book, but simple done very very well. One of those books everybody should be able to say they have read. Possibly THE classic boys own adventure.
Published 1 month ago by Fergalious
Still a Treasure
It is over 60 years since I first read Treasure Island... No wonder RL Stevenson is considered a Classic, because it was just as good a read for a senior as it was in my youth.
Published 1 month ago by eggsy
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