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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
3.5 Can’t believe this whole book is based on a muppet movie. Amazing!
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Treasure Island has always been my favorite book from childhood, and revisiting it now in its original English was a wonderful experience. I was surprised by how concise and fast-paced the story is—it’s much more laconic than I remembered.
The narrator does a good job overall, capturing the adventurous tone of the novel. However, I did find some of his character voices a bit difficult to follow at times, which slightly affected the immersion.
Still, this is an eternal classic for a reason. The charm of Stevenson’s storytelling holds up beautifully, even after all these years. I only wish the narration had been just a bit stronger to fully match the spirit of the book
"Fifteen men on a deadman's chest,
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!"
I technically listened to the Audible Original dramatization, but the length of this audiobook wasn't much shorter than other regular productions. I was absolutely floored by how much of the pirate lore we have ingrained in our social consciousness is based on this book; Long John Silver, the Black Spot, X marks the spot, etc. I thought the production of this was well acted, but I won't be calling this one of my favorite classics. I didn't feel very connected to much of this and sometimes had a hard time understanding who was speaking and whose side we were on. Jumping back into this after stopping for a few days, it took a bit of thinking to see where the characters had been left, if I could even remember.
Star rating:
+ Well-written action
+ Protagonist you care about
+ Atmospheric audiobook production
- Hard to pick back up
- Setup took too long proportionately; last two thirds should have been like three quarters
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4 Stars
This book really is a classic. Nothing like swashbuckling, pirates and treasure with a kid as the hero! Many classics are so busy trying to be classic, that they are dull, pompous and drawn out. Treasure Island grabs your interest from the beginning with old Billy Bones dropping in to the Admiral Benbow Inn for a stay. He of drink and foul manner. Telling cursed stories and singing old pirate songs...
"..fifteen men on the dead man's chest -- Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!"
Truth be told there was a treasure map; with X's and all; as well as some dastardly fellows, looking for it. Each one of them fearing the seafaring man with one leg. From the moment Black Dog walks in the Inn looking for old Billy, the action picks up and keeps going throughout the book. Of course, there are moments of rest for us, the weary traveler; but none for our hero, Jim. No rest for those sailing with crooked pirates. They'll cut you soon as look at ya.
Is there treasure on Treasure Island...maybe; but methinks ye should take that schooner and find it on yer own.... aarrgghhh.
hahhhahha... Happy Reading, matey.
This book really is a classic. Nothing like swashbuckling, pirates and treasure with a kid as the hero! Many classics are so busy trying to be classic, that they are dull, pompous and drawn out. Treasure Island grabs your interest from the beginning with old Billy Bones dropping in to the Admiral Benbow Inn for a stay. He of drink and foul manner. Telling cursed stories and singing old pirate songs...
"..fifteen men on the dead man's chest -- Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!"
Truth be told there was a treasure map; with X's and all; as well as some dastardly fellows, looking for it. Each one of them fearing the seafaring man with one leg. From the moment Black Dog walks in the Inn looking for old Billy, the action picks up and keeps going throughout the book. Of course, there are moments of rest for us, the weary traveler; but none for our hero, Jim. No rest for those sailing with crooked pirates. They'll cut you soon as look at ya.
Is there treasure on Treasure Island...maybe; but methinks ye should take that schooner and find it on yer own.... aarrgghhh.
hahhhahha... Happy Reading, matey.
Since the story itself is the basis for all the various tv and movies and spinnoffs that share the name, I freely admit the actual adventuring and discovery is a lot of fun. However, it also means this book is basically the inspiration for every pirate stereotype ever and i can't help but be a wee bit irritated about the ARRRR MATEY syntax that it ultimately is responsible for. I am probably one of the few people in the world that dislikes Pirate Talk and reading an entire book filled with it ultimately means i lost patience and DNF about hallway through.