Treasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Classics, Fiction, Adventure, Historical-Fiction, Young-Adult, Pirates
“For sheer storytelling delight and pure adventure, Treasure Island has never been surpassed. 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.’
Recommendations from Common Sense Media
Age Recommendation: 10+
What Parents Need to Know:
Parents need to know that Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure novel Treasure Island, first published in 1883, is full of swashbuckling action. It’s the original pirate story, featuring drunken mutineers, a secret map, and buried treasure. There’s some archaic racist language (“negroes,” “blacks,” “Mexican Indians”), and a good deal of violence (plenty of fighting, with many deaths and injuries by sword, knife, and gun), though most of the wounds and deaths are not described graphically, but these events are upsetting to the heroic young narrator, Jim Hawkins. Treasure Island has been adapted for film a few times over the years, including the star-studded 1934 version with Wallace Beery as Long John Silver, a live-action Disney version from 1950, and even a Muppet version made in the ’90s.
Educational Value: 2/5
Treasure Island was first published in 1883, and the novel offers an impression of what life was like in rural England during the late 19th century, as well as some information about the conditions on sailing ships in that era.
Positive Messages: 3/5
Intelligence, honor, loyalty, and sobriety will win the day.
Positive Role Models: 5/5
Jim is pure-hearted, smart, and honorable; he even sacrifices his own safety because he has given his word. Dr. Livesey doesn’t always show the best judgment, but he cares for anyone who needs his help, including drunkards and dangerous pirates.
Violence & Scariness: 3/5
The story includes plenty of fighting, with many deaths and injuries by sword, knife, and gun. There is little gore, but the violence is rendered more horrifying because it’s mainly seen through a boy’s eyes.
Sex, Romance & Nudity: n/a
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Language: 1/5
There’s no cursing in this book, but there is some archaic racist language: “negroes,” “negress,” “Mexican Indians,” “half-bloods,” “blacks.”
Products & Purchases: n/a
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking: 3/5
While staying at the Admiral Benbow Inn, Billy Bones consumes more rum than water, and Dr. Livesey warns him that he is ruining his health. The pirates on the Hispaniola also drink rum, brandy, wine, and other spirits, and their drunkeness adds to their threatening, unpredictable behavior. Men also smoke and chew tobacco.
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