You may think you know the story of Treasure Island from the many films that have been produced over the years but these are often quite loosely based on the book. Read the real thing and you’ll find a much more sinister world of ruthless men who shatter the quiet and innocent world of our hero, Jim Hawkins, whose family own the previously quiet country inn, The Admiral Benbow.

And there is plenty of iconic action and characters in the book too. Indeed, many of the traditional images of pirates that we hold to this day come from Treasure Island. Think of pirate and you’ll think of talking parrots, sailors with wooden legs and perhaps dreaded ‘Black Spot’. Also, it is generally agreed that many of the pirates in the book are based on real ones who were active in Stevenson’s day, some say that Captain Flint is supposed to be based on Blackbeard.

But back to the plot: A rugged old seaman, known only as ‘The Captain’ takes lodging at the Admiral Benbow with his battered sea chest. For months he terrifies and titillates the neighbours in this quiet seaside village near Bristol with his drunken songs and horrible stories. When he dies, with much of his bill unpaid, Jim finds a packet of papers in his old seat chest including a map drawn by the notorious Captain Flint. The map shows the way to buried treasure! Pursued by Captain Flint’s ex-crewmates, Jim takes to the sea with Squire Trelawney and Doctor Livesey to search for the treasure. But the crew that Squire Trelawney has chosen are not what they seem and we soon realise that there is a second leader on board who is up to no good. He is the cook, Long John Silver, is a fantastically treacherous character who is made scary because he acts like a friend and yet he does truly evil things to those who do not obey him. There follows an excellent romp by sea and all over an (almost) deserted island. But will they ever find it and is there someone else on the island?

Treasure Island is still popular for a reason. It pulls the reader along on an exciting adventure which panders to our fascination for the sea, pirates and buried treasure. With much rum, pistols in the dark and many other dangers and adventures, the crew members vie for the map and the treasure itself.

Reviewed by Pam Lock

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