Because of the logistical issues associated with bringing a not-quite-2-year old into a library with a winding (and evidently irresistable) staircase, I have been re-reading many of the books on my bookshelf this summer. Most recently, I picked up Robert Lewis Stevenson's classic Treasure Island. I think I've read Treasure Island twice and I love it. It is a real pirate story that makes you shake your head at Pirates of the Carribean - and I really like the Pirates series. The thing is Pirates of the Carribean is fantasy, and while Treasure Island has fantastic elements; it is very real with no ghosts or curses.
Truly, Treasure Island is a children's book; more on the level of Anne of Green Gables than A Tale of Two Cities. And it is a boys' book - all adventure, no romance and very few women (the only one that even speaks is Jim Hawkins' mother). The chapters are very short, and the story moves very quickly. Jim Hawkins reminds me of Oliver Twist - he's the hero and full of virtue. Still it's not a book of innocence and it's not a book for little children prone to nightmares.
The bitter theme of Treasure Island is how the love of money corrupts. Squire Trelawney breaks his promises to Dr. Livesay as he searches for a crew to help them find the treasure. And pirates - as romanticized as they are today - by definition are thieves, hungry only for pleasure and money. It is illustrated best in the character of Long John Silver who, as the pirate company makes its assent to the treasure's site, reveals on his face his changeable nature - willing to join whoever will take him nearest to wealth and freedom and willing to eliminate anyone who stands in his way. Jim is rightly disgusted with his lack of integrity.
Since I'm so far from the sort of reader this book was meant for, I'm not sure why I like it so well. It is very well written and very exciting. I guess I just get caught up in the adventure of it all and wish for just a moment that I could ride the waves in a big wooden ship or climb the hills on Treasure Island and see it all for myself.
I just finished a book called "Miss Julia speaks her mind". It was on loan from the library and Ben's grandma suggested it. It was really funny and a wonderful story. I think you'd like it too. It's a series of books. It's by Ann B. Ross.
ReplyDeleteI love Treasure Island, too!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever read Peter Pan?
If you haven't actually read it, do!
alisa beth