Book Review #16: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
My Overall Review: 8.8/10
Introduction:
Did somebody say, Pirates?!
Treasure Island is my absolute favorite adventure story of all time. Having the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of Jim Hawkins is a treat for anyone of any age.
I randomly stumbled upon this book about a month ago when I was wandering through the Boulder Bookstore looking for nothing in particular.
Sometimes it’s best when you have no agenda, nowhere to be, and not a care in the world. It’s in these moments where sometimes the best books fall(literally) right into your lap…
Overview:
From the moment young Jim Hawkins first encounters the sinister Blind Pew at the Admiral Benbow Inn until the climactic battle for treasure on a tropic isle, the novel creates scenes and characters that have fired the imaginations of generations of readers. Written by a superb prose stylist, a master of both action and atmosphere, the story centers upon the conflict between good and evil - but in this case a particularly engaging form of evil. It is the villainy of that most ambiguous rogue Long John Silver that sets the tempo of this tale of treachery, greed, and daring. Designed to forever kindle a dream of high romance and distant horizons, Treasure Island 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 terms it 'an utterly original book' and goes on to write: 'There will always be a place for stories like Treasure Island that can keep boys and old men happy.'
My Thoughts:
As I stated before, this is arguably the greatest adventure story ever written! I highly encourage anyone out there regardless of age to pick up this book and give it a read.
The adventure reads fast and it never slows down or lets up for anybody. I was 100% engaged and fired up to read this book every time that I picked it up to continue with the story.
Robert Louis Stevenson has a unique way of painting a scene and immersing the reader right smack dab in the middle of it. Stevenson did such a good job that there were times when I found myself ducking out of the way of incoming cannonballs!
But, above all, this book took me back to being an elementary school-aged kid. Treasure Island allowed me to picture myself in my parent’s backyard running around chasing bad guys until the sun went down and it was time to come inside for dinner.
That’s why I say that I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. For the simple fact that we all have a childlike persona somewhere inside of us and now and again(or constantly if you’re me) it needs to be let out and allowed to roam throughout society carefree and headfirst into impending doom.
I believe that the entire human race would be just a little bit better off if we all summoned the Jim Hawkins inside of us and cared a little less about all of the rest.
Have any thoughts on my take(good or bad)? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!