Fictional novel review: Treasure Island (1883) by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Apologies for not posting on Friday but as I had been unwell over the festive period, I was away gifting presents to people I had not seen. Anyway, I have been doing better and have been enjoying reading Robert Louis Stevenson's wicked adventure tale of mischief, mayhem, terror and treasure. Starting in the Admiral Benbow with young Jim Hawkins, the novel follows what happens when Jim uncovers the belongings of one Billy Bones. This man had been staying at the inn, owned by his parents when he was struck down dead, much to the unsurprise of the local Dr Livesey. Off Jim goes with Dr Livesey and an array of ship crewman to find some hidden treasure. This includes Arrow, Gray and Long John Silver.

But once they arrive at treasure island, Jim and the doctor are dealt with double-crossing deceit, struggling to work out what to do and who to trust! I struggled to work out who to trust in the story. It ended up being a novel that I liked because of how it played out with all the death and the tension for I never knew which way things would go. I kept wanting to read on to find out if Jim would be successful and if he would even survive. Stevenson has given us an adventurous read that tells us not to be too cocky and be careful of your surroundings. As seen in the novel, if one is not alert then it could draw their final breath.

Overall I have to state that I enjoyed the novel more than I thought I would. This is because I have never been much a fan of adventure novels and having not remembered much from my first time reading it a few years ago, I was unsure what to expect. Still, it turned out to be a thrilling read that kept me interested, particularly as it went on. I am giving Treasure Island (1883) a 7/10.






Until next time,


Thomas.

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