A Book Review: Treasure Island by Stevenson

by Filipe Cruz

This review was written by a student in Ben Clark’s Grade 12 English class.

What is the best adventure story that you’ve ever heard of? The story that follows Jim Hawkins it’s one of the greatest that I’ve ever read.

Jim is a young boy who discovers a treasure map hidden among the belongings of Billy Bones, a mysterious and secretive guest at his parents’ inn. This discovery sets Jim on an adventurous voyage aboard the Hispaniola, led by Captain Smollett, Squire Trelawney, and Dr. Livesey.

However, things take a dark turn when it’s revealed that one of the crew members, the seemingly friendly and helpful cook Long John Silver, is actually a pirate leader plotting a mutiny to steal the treasure for himself. As the story unfolds, Jim makes bold decisions (including sneaking off the ship, discovering Ben Gunn, a marooned ex-pirate, and even capturing the ship himself).

In the final chapters, Jim’s crew faces betrayal, shifting alliances, and deadly traps as they race to find the treasure. One major twist comes when they discover the treasure has already been dug up and hidden by Ben Gunn. These unexpected turns build to a final climactic confrontation between good and evil, testing Jim’s courage and the loyalty of all involved.

Caption: Image provided by Britannica.com in “The Eternal Legacy of Treasure Island.” [Britannica.com]

Jim Hawkins is the main character in the book Treasure Island. He was just a regular boy who helped run the parents’ inn. However during his journey Jim shows he is brave and smart, taking some risks that came with a leadership role, like invading the enemy’s ship.

He’s always showing confidence and courage, for example when Jim hides in the apple barrel on the Hispaniola, he overhears Long John Silver and the other pirates plotting a mutiny. We basically can see Jim turning into a man during his problems, fights and journey.

Treasure Island proved to me that the plot twists for the story are so important. Mainly the small ones, because they end up having a great impact on the story.

I didn’t read a lot of books of the adventure genre, but this one really caught my attention. I think because I could relate to a young boy entering into a journey and facing challenges that helped build his character with myself.

The fight between good and evil was also something that I really liked. So that was a really good choice for my summer break reading.

If this book review made you interested in reading Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, you can find it in the PACA Library.

Citation

Stevenson, Robert Louis. Treasure Island. Puffin Classics, 2016