Treasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Overview
From the Publisher
“It is all as frightening and exciting when read for the umpteenth time in middle age as when first discovered
in childhood.”–A.N. Wilson
When young Jim Hawkins discovers a treasure map in a pirate’s chest in his parents’ inn, he is drawn into a world of danger and adventure. He joins the crew setting sail to the Caribbean to seek out the booty and over the course of the voyage confronts mutiny, murder and the charismatic and devious Long John Silver.
My thoughts
How is it that I didn't discover this book until I'm almost 50 years old?!? I was standing in the checkout line at Wal-mart last weekend - and a very slow moving line it was - when I saw beside me a display of "classics". They were all mass produced "Puffin Classics", paperback, $4.22 each. I read through the titles and realized that I'd only read one of the books in the entire display, and even then I couldn't remember if it was Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn. I decided right then and there that it was time to give "classics" their due, so I picked up Treasure Island on a whim. It was fantastic! I was glued to each page! The book starts out in an exciting way and it doesn't slow down at all!
Who knew Robert Louis Stevenson was such a great author? Er ... don't answer that.
I can't wait to get back to Wal-mart to pick up another in the "classic" series. I wonder if the others can hold up to the thrill of this one?!
Favorite Passage
'My dear,' said my mother suddenly, 'take the money and run on. I am going to faint.'
This was certainly the end for both of us, I thought. How I cursed the cowardice of the neighbours; how I blamed my poor mother for her honesty and her greed, for her past fool-hardiness and present weakness! We were just at the little bridge, by good fortune; and I helped her, tottering as she was, to the edge of the bank, where, sure enough, she gave a sigh and fell on my shoulder. I do not know how I found the strength to do it all, and I am afraid I was roughly done; but I managed to drag her down the bank and a little way under the arch.
