Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is a classic coming-of-age adventure that I recently had the pleasure of reading. While it’s often considered a young adult novel, its impact on popular culture is undeniable. I’ve been working my way through classic literature, even those originally intended for younger audiences, and I’m glad I didn’t miss this one. Many of the pirate tropes we see today—treasure maps marked with an “X,” tropical islands, one-legged pirates, and parrots on shoulders—originated with Treasure Island. It was initially serialized in a youth magazine in 1881, and it’s easy to see how its thrilling narrative captivated readers of the time.
The story is narrated primarily by Jim Hawkins, presented as a journal account written at the request of three fellow adventurers. This first-person perspective allows readers to experience the events directly through Jim’s eyes. Occasionally, the narrative shifts to another character, providing insights into events happening elsewhere. This technique effectively builds suspense and keeps the reader engaged, especially considering the serialized format in which it was initially published.
The story begins in 18th-century England (Stevenson cleverly obscures the exact year, writing “17–“). Jim works at the Admiral Benbow Inn, owned by his mother. A mysterious seaman, Billy Bones, arrives and takes up residence, paying handsomely but spending his days drinking and singing sea shanties. He also pays Jim to watch for a one-legged man. When a blind beggar confronts Billy, a violent altercation ensues, resulting in Billy’s death and the beggar’s escape. Jim and his mother discover a treasure map among Billy’s belongings. They take it to Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney, who decide to mount an expedition to find the treasure.
During the preparations, the squire hires a ship, the Hispaniola, and its crew, including the cook, Long John Silver, who Jim realizes is the one-legged man he was warned about. Jim overhears Silver plotting a mutiny, setting the stage for the thrilling adventure that follows.
I thoroughly enjoyed Treasure Island. The fast-paced plot, suspenseful moments, and exciting action kept me engaged from beginning to end. My recent viewing of “Black Sails,” a prequel series, enhanced my appreciation of the book. The show’s connections to characters and events in Treasure Island made reading it even more compelling. I highly recommend this classic adventure. 5 out of 5 stars.
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