A classic of English literature, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is an exciting and enjoyable read, and a fascinating story of piracy, betrayal and treasure. Told from the perspective of young lad Jim Hawkins, the classic fiction takes readers on a journey to the titular Treasure Island, previously visited by the mysterious Long John Silver, and shows the true cost of piracy when an unimagined fortune is on the line.
Believe it or not, this was my first engagement with Treasure Island, with the exception of the Muppets’ rendition of the tale, which came only days earlier. With my main motivation to get the book being the visual beauty of the Penguin Clothbound Classics version, I was pleasantly surprised and entertained by the story told within its pages. Being told as a recount in the first person, you cannot help but feel truly immersed in Treasure Island, which complemented by the exquisite use of language by Stevenson, places you as a member of the Hispaniola’s crew, whether you like it or not!
The story was paced and broken down well, with six manageable ‘parts’ breaking up the 34 chapters into manageable chunks, making this an easy story to dive in and out of at will, without feeling as if you are breaking off at a key point. But if you fall in love with this tale as much as I did, you’ll find it difficult to put down! The character development, particularly of Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver builds a deep connection to both, making the twists and turns, foreseen and otherwise, suspenseful, particularly when their fates are ultimately in the balance.
Whilst the language can be a barrier at point (the 141-year period between publishing and today has seen our use of English evolve significantly!) it is rarely a significant one, and on occasion, is a fantastic way to further immerse yourself in the story, as you come away speaking like a classic pirate! And the way the author uses this to communicate the social standing of several of the characters, such as comparing the ship’s captain to the average buccaneer, you get a feel for the ship’s dynamic and how the characters relate to one another socially, and how this may influence their actions (ye olde Big Brother, if you will!).
Treasure Island is a classic tale that holds up to modern eyes to such an extent that its classification as one of the great books of all time is fully deserved, if not understated. The level of engagement it fosters in its readers is truly exceptional, and its basis for creativity of all forms, including films, art and theatrical productions, I can now truly appreciate. Decorated with a beautiful khaki cover with red parrot artwork in the Penguin Clothbound Classic version, this book is a worthy read for readers and audiences everywhere.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Treasure Island (ISBN: 978-0-141-19245-1) was published in 1883
