Treasure Island

Rating:
Summary: Not a great book
Review: This novel was very descriptive and original, but dragged on too long. I found myself skimming chapters at a time because I became so bored with the content. This book was definately not for me. Don't necessarily let this review discourage you from reading it, though. I recommend reading the first few chapters. By then you'll know the general impression of the novel, and can decide whether to continue or not.

Rating:
Summary: Great introduction, pleasure and presentation
Review: We know this is a good story and we know that its a long story. I have grandchildren and I enjoy reading to them. However as they grow older -5 and 6- their patience is less, but their curiosity, knowledge and imagination still thirst. These types of stories and their presentation quenches this. My grandsons will sit, listen and join in the reading. The book itself is 220 pages long. It is abbreviated and has a black and white picture on alternate pages inviting comment and reading. The presentation of the story and its plot invites understanding and enjoyment quickly. Each chapter is short and builds up the characters and action very well-sometimes I may read 2 or 3 chapters because they don't want to stop If you enjoy reading to your kids and want to introduce them (and yourself ?) to a classic go for this book. I do not know if the other books in the series are as good in it presentation but if they are I'll look forward to them.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I am dumbfounded by the reviews that my peers have given Treasure Island. This book is a masterpiece of children's literature. It has everything one could hope for: action, intrigue, pirates, buried treasure... What more does it need? I, too, read the novel for my class, but it did not put me to sleep at all. Instead I couldn't put it down and had to read by flashlight after my Mom made me turn out my lights. It was incredible. Long John Silver is a creepy guy! As for the other reviewers who are my age, I hope you adults do not judge my generation by their ignorance and unwillingness to accept anything without man eating dinosurs. Treasure Island is an excellent novel.

Rating:
Summary: Treasure Island
Review: Treasure Island, this classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, is filled with literary devices and suspense that keep the reader interested until the end. This irresistable book is a must read for all people who love an extraodinary, intense, and action filled novel. This book was the worst book I read. "Cries and confusion, the flashes and reports of pistol shots, and one loud groan, rang in my ears." this magic three that was used in the story gives the reader and idea of what was going on through Jim Hawkins's eyes.

Rating:
Summary: Literary Analysis of Treasure Island by Robert Stevenson
Review: In this classic 1883 novel, Treasure Island, is the story of a boy named Jim Hawkinsis following a treasure map that could lead to treasure or danger. {In the story, you can tell how the setting and the use of character traits make it a good book to read and a fun book to amagine.} In this book, if there was no setting there would be no book! "that was, at least; and befor noon to my unexpressable joy, the highest rock of Treasure Island Had sunk into the blue round sea." At this point the dotor and Jim had found the treasure and are leaving the island. Without charcter traits there would be a tastlessness to the story. "I remember him as if it were yesterday as he came in plodding to the inn door, his sea chest following behind him in a hand barrow; a tall, strong, heavy, nut brown man." this makes you picture what he looks like. it's like you are looking right at him. Jim was my favorite character in the book because he was very coragous and smart, and his personality made the story seem like you were living it. with th euse of terrific character traits and very desciptive setting you can see how without them, the book wouldn't be so intriguing

Rating:
Summary: I loved it way, way back then and love it now
Review: Robert Louis Stevenson played a big part in my young life -- he and Edgar Rice Burroughs started me reading in earnest and kept me reading. Unlike some of the reviewers below me, at 9 I had no trouble at all comprehending Treasure Island or anything else Stevenson wrote.

Full-blown characters, and what a passel of them. The story runs on from the start like a runaway freight train. The duplicity of Squire Trelawney and Dr. Livesey versus the cunning of Long John Silver made for excellent conflict. Captain Smollett was the right kind of leavening.

And even after all his conniving and treachery, Stevenson was able to give Silver a certain likeability -- I wasn't unhappy to see him sail away, and neither was Jim Hawkins.

Of course, even with all his initial innocence, Jim Hawkins came from just the right mold, believably apprehensive and fearful when that was called for, but able to rise to essential occasions.

This wonderful story was praised more eloquently than I can by [e-mail] below.

It's a pity that school teachers still force-feed good stuff down the throats of kids today, then turn them loose to plaster graffiti all over these review pages. With all the Judy Blume lying around, why waste the likes of Stevenson and Steinbeck and London on them?

Rating:
Summary: One of the best novels ever written.
Review: Simply put, this is an excellent book! I didn't read it until I was 37, but it was worth the wait. I certainly would not classify this as a children's book at all. In fact, I strongly suspect that the few negetive reviews this book has received here have been due to childred being forced to read it in school. My view is if you force a child to read anything, he's going to hate it. The fact that the book was written over a hundred years ago, when people talked very differently than they do today, and novels were written very differently also, spells disaster for anyone expecting a child to understand it, let alone like it. That aside, this is still a wonderful book full of adventure with descriptions that are vivid only if you have a vast vocabulary. If you can get through the first chapter, it gets easier and it's definately worth the time and effort to read. I loved it and plan to read it again very soon. Do yourself a favor and ignore any negetive comments you've seen about this great book. Read it and then judge for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good adventure. While it is more or less known as a book for boys, it is certainly worthy of an adult's attention as well. Some of the qualities I liked about the book were (1) the overall action was suspenseful and exciting, (2) the characters were complex, especially Long John Silver, who was both appealing and repellent at the same time, (3) the depiction of 19th century nautical life, and (4) the voice of the narrator, young Jim Hawkins.

The characterization of Long John Silver is perhaps the thing that really sets the book apart. The narrator, young fatherless Jim Hawkins, by turns admires (perhaps worships is a better word) and despises the pirate as he comes to understand him better throughout the book. It is refreshing to read a book where the villain is not some cardboard cutout with no complexity. Silver has both wit and charm, which makes him at once both more sympathetic and more dangerous.

The complexity of Jim Hawkins is another virtue of the book. His own father having died, he is understandably drawn to the magnetic personality of John Silver, this living symbol of adventure, gallantry and virility. And later, when he comes to understand Silver's villainy, the reader not only is excited by the plot twist, but also empathizes with Hawkins' feelings of hurt and betrayal. For all the action in this book, it is primarily a story of the inner lives of the characters, and especially the relationship between Hawkins and Silver.

Rating:
Summary: Not just for kids...
Review: 'Treasure Island' is one of those books everybody's heard of, but not everyone has read. I didn't read it when I was a kid, but because it's an all-time classic, I finally read it recently. I'm very glad I did - I thought it was great. It's often billed as a "boys' adventure story", but it's far more than just that - the superb writing, fantastic characters and exciting story transcend age and gender. Read it yourself, then give it to your kids - an enjoyable book for everyone.

Rating:
Summary: this book totally bites!
Review: dont read this story it is a pain. But I recomend the movie so dont ever read.