I spent the day completing my rereading, reviewing and scanning the illustrations of
First published in 1883, this perennial work was issued in this form by Eyre & Spottiswoode in 1949 and repeated by Methuen Children’s Books Ltd in 1976.
It is perhaps every boy’s dream adventure involving a map of hidden treasure, swashbuckling heroes, piratical villains, skullduggery, marooning, betrayal, impossible heroics, murder, battles on land and on sea, a mystery island, and much more, crafted by that master storyteller, Robert Louis Stevenson, with full use of his excellent flowing prose descriptive of trees, shrubs, terrain, sea, and landscape, with his symbolism of night and day, light and dark, and the vagaries of the weather.
His depicting details of struggling with seamanship and wrestling with dense foliage take the reader into that world to share the exertions.
Peake’s numerous drawings convey the drama and the characterisation of the author.
Robert Newton, in Disney’s first full length feature of the eponymous 1950 film, portrayed Long John Silver as the quintessential pirate, even to the extent of all future pirates following his diction.
This evening we all dined on meaty sausages and fried onions, creamy mash, carrots, spinach and tasty gravy, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Garnacha Old Vines.
Now you’ve got me wanting to re(reread?) it! I think I have a copy – though not so lovely as this version!
Thank you so much, Dale
Peake’s illustrations are exceptional, but again, I suspect I have been spoiled by an excellent Russian film and its portrayal of the characters. Thank you for providing the clip from the American movie; in my mind’s eye, it is closer to my visualized images.
P.S. ‘Every boy”? What about the girls?
Jackie didn’t like it as a child. I had wondered whether I should be sexist in my observation. Thanks very much, Dolly.
I don’t mean being politically correct, but I suspect that I was not the only girl who found pirates, knights, and musketeers more exciting by far than blushing maidens.
I’m sure
LOL
Those are great illustrations! How could anyone resist the book after reading this paragraph? (“Skullduggery” is such a great word, although I’ve never had cause to use it in casual conversation.)
“It is perhaps every boy’s dream adventure involving a map of hidden treasure, swashbuckling heroes, piratical villains, skullduggery, marooning, betrayal, impossible heroics, murder, battles on land and on sea, a mystery island, and much more, crafted by that master storyteller, Robert Louis Stevenson, with full use of his excellent flowing prose descriptive of trees, shrubs, terrain, sea, and landscape, with his symbolism of night and day, light and dark, and the vagaries of the weather.”
Thank you so much, Liz 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Excellent Derrick… I maybe dating myself, when I say I remember with fondness that very film.. 🙂
I was 11 when it came out in the cinema, Sue. Unforgettable. Thanks very much X
I was still a twinkle in my Dads eye lol by 4 years .. ????
Arrrrr, matey, I loved Treasure Island. I reread it a couple of years ago. And, yes, it’s a young boy’s fantasy to be a swashbuckling man of the seas. The movie was excellent, at least as seen through the eyes of a lad. Arrrrr!!!
Thanks a lot, Steve
Liz, you must have used the word if you were talking about Washington politicians ????
how can one resist this classic! the drawings are excellent! enjoy! 🙂
Thank you very much, Wilma
The illustrations are very well done. Thank you for scanning them in, Derrick!
I’m pleased you liked them, Lavinia. Your comments, as always much appreciated
Mr. Peake’s amazing illustrations are a perfect pairing with Mr. Stevenson’s amazing story! The illustrations are so fine-line-detailed and expressive!
Once again, Derrick, your review and thoughts on the book are a joy to read.
Thanks for including the movie trailer…I have fond memories of seeing that movie on TV!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks very much, Carolyn X
It is the tapping of the stick of Blind Pew that stays with me most from the book.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. Stevenson made good use of sounds throughout
Excellent illustrations that make a story come alive in the minds of young readers! I had the opportunity of seeing the classical movie at the British Council Library in Georgetown, Guyana.
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
I read this again a few months back but I can’t believe that I’ve not seen that movie yet.
I was 11 when it came out in the cinema.
Thanks very much, Gary
I’ve never read the book and don’t recall seeing the film. It looks scary. When it comes to classics, Heidi is more my speed. 😉 But it is interesting that Treasure Island was Disney’s first full length feature.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
I never really liked the book as a boy, but this was perhaps because the film with Robert Newton scared me enormously as a six or seven year old. This edition, however, is a lot better with some marvellous illustrations.
Thank you very much, John
I had enjoyed the book ????
Thank you very much, Lakshmi
I’m pretty sure I’ve read at least some of this book, and I’ve seen clips from the movie, but neither really interested me. The illustrations in your volume are quite marvelous.
Thank you very much, Merril. You are clearly a girl like Jackie
I take that as a compliment.
I’ve never read this book, Derrick. Now I think I should. What a great adventure for every child’s imagination. I love the illustrations, especially those mugs. And that’s cool that it set in place the pirate persona (at least the Disney film did). Great post. 🙂
Thank you so much, Diana
These illustrations make me want to reread the book.
Thank you very much, Sherry
Wonderful, wonderful illustrations, and I loved the description “a face as big as a ham.” I’ve never read the book or seen the movie. Might have to rectify that.
Thanks very much, Laurie
These illustrations are just wonderful. So grotesque, which is perfect! The copy I read as a kid was nothing like this!
Thank you very much, Luanne
You are welcome!
Aargh! How I loves me a good pirate story! Now I gots ta’ read it agin…Thank you Derrick 🙂
Thank you very much, Donna.
Oh, I love this kind of adventurous books 🙂 and I like those maps for treasure hunters 🙂
Thank you so much, Ribana
HI Derrick, fantastic illustrations. You have some great versions of classic books. I’ve not read Treasure Island, it has never interested me as a story. I am nearly finished reading A Journal of the Plague Year (for the second time) by Daniel Defoe and it is fascinating.
Thanks very much, Robbie. That is one I haven’t read
It includes a lot of facts and figures about the plague so not everyone’s cup of tea. I thought it was very interesting. A fictionalised non fiction work ????
I loved this when I was a kid
Thanks very much, Sheree
Thank you for sharing, Derrick. These illustrations are nothing short of magnificent!!