You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

One of the group reads for April is Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. Please discuss the book in this thread.

The discussion leader is Kristie.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have completed the book before or during April 2017.
2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favourite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions.
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

I'm looking forward to finally reading this one. :) I have some driving time scheduled, so I picked up the audio version. I hope to get most of it read while on my road trip tomorrow.

I have the audiobook on hold from Overdrive. Hopefully, it will be available soon so that I can start it after I finish my challenge read.

ETA - I just checked the status of my hold and I'm #2 of 2 requesting. It could be a total of 6 weeks if people don't return when they're finished and just leave it to expire from their device. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that isn't the case.

Good luck getting it, Janice. That's so frustrating when people just let it expire versus returning it.

I suspect that some people may not know how to return a book early, and may just leave it to expire.

Makes sense. There are some good deals online. I got a whisper sync deal because I purchased the Kindle previously. I just saw some Kindle versions that were free and one that said it came with a free audiobook for $0.99. If it's not returned early, you may be able to get a good deal, if you want to.

That is an option. I did investigate them earlier, but the audiobook edition I wanted was 3.89/Kindle and 2.99/Audible. I figured I'd try to borrow it first.

Which audiobook edition did you get Kristie?

So, I just realized something interesting about my audio version. It states that it is narrated by Grover Gardner, but on the cover it states that it is narrated by Flo Gibson. First time I've ever noticed something like that. I have to go with Grover being the narrator as the voice I listened to in the sample sounds male. Unless is has dual narration? I guess we'll see.

It was $2.99 with whispersync. I don't remember what I paid for the Kindle version. I bought it a couple of years ago. I did have several different audio versions available as whispersync deals though.

Don't forget about LibriVox for free public domain audiobooks!

Treasure Island on LibriVox

Oh that's right, Lanelle. Thanks.

It turns out that the edition I want is available on Hoopla,, so I will start it when I finish the book I, currently reading.

Well I was trying to see which one I listened to a few years ago. I believe Michael Page narrated it and it was great. He narrates the Lies of Lock Lamore. Currently I can't load my library or go to the store using the audible app which has become normal lately and why i haven't been reading much

It could be there is an introduction by Flo Gibson Kristie.

I think they may just have the wrong cover with the edition I'm listening to because there has been no Flo yet.

I'm about 67% through and I'm not loving it. I like the overarching story, but the details are not the kind I find interesting. Often when I read (view spoiler)[ fighting or battle scenes (hide spoiler)], I skim through them. This book right now has too many for me. I was enjoying it well enough before they (view spoiler)[ got to the island (hide spoiler)], but I'm definitely in a not interested mood right now. I'm hoping it moves on a bit soon.

Kristie, I think you just talked me out of reading this. The other monthly book isn't available at my library, so I think I will have to opt out of the monthly read for April, the first time since I joined YLTO. :-(

Oh no! You're opinion may be different from mine. I don't tend to like classics to begin with, so if you enjoy them you may want to give it a shot. It's not very long and Travis loved it.

Well, I will see how the month goes,

See what others think of it. I may not be the best to go by on this one. :)

I am two holds behind my first book choice from my library. The book Peggy read and I am interested in is not available on Overdrive. I will check for a print version at my regular library tomorrow. I looked at what was available in audio for Treasure Island and every single copy of 5 different versions is on loan. I put a hold for one of them narrated by Ralph C. I am not too interested in the 2nd group read. I guess I have to wait and see what the month brings my way.

I gave it 5 stars. I'm not trying for a badge here because I don't remember enough details to actually have a discussion on it. Read it 3 years ago.

I finished today. I thought it was ok. Mostly, it just wasn't my taste. I look forward to seeing what other people think of it and discussing.

My library served up both of the books that I had on hold, so I started listening to Treasure Island last night.

Chapter 8. (view spoiler)[I did not remember Long John Silver owning a tavern (the Spy Glass). (hide spoiler)]

Jim is currently in the apple barrel listening to Long John Silver talk to someone.

I finished Part One and about to start Part Two - The Sea Cook and Chapter 7.

I was rather unengaged with the first part with The Captain staying at The Admiral Benbow. I'm not sure how old Jim is, but he's about to have an adventure. Hopefully, it will pick up.

I'm not impressed with Hoopla's audiobook player. It doesn't seem to hold the speed. I'm constantly adjusting it. I'll survive. At least it's a short book.

Cherie - I was a bit surprised to find out about your chapter 8 spoiler. I hadn't read it before, so just figured that he was (view spoiler)[ a pirate and wouldn't have anything that tied him down like that. (hide spoiler)]

Hope it picks up for you, Janice. I found that it was inconsistent in keeping me engaged. I've never used Hoopla, but that would be aggravating to me.

Kristie wrote: "Cherie - I was a bit surprised to find out about your chapter 8 spoiler. I hadn't read it before, so just figured that he was [spoilers removed]"

It was the only part of the book that I did not remember, and I am almost positive that it has never been indicated in any of the movies that I have seen. Usually, he just shows up during the "black spot" incidences.

I finished the book, and there was nothing else that seemed different, until after Jim comes back. (view spoiler)[I do not remember Jim having such a smart attitude with Long John Silver, but when he came back from securing the ship and found the pirates in the cabin, it felt like a little too much back talk. Yes, I agree, that he had to have been proud of himself and nothing but contempt for the pirates, but it was a little strange. Afterwards, he admitted that he was scared, but he was man enough to keep his word to Long John after he had talked to the Doctor. (hide spoiler)]

I really enjoyed the audio book version that I listened to. Ralph Cosham was a great narrator. His performance really added a lot of life to the story and I admired him for singing the pirate songs. Even his "voice" for Mr. Flint, the parrot was well done!

I have started Part 5, My Sea Adventure. It has definitely picked up the pace with all the action happening when (view spoiler)[Long John Silver mutinied and attempted to obtain the map. (hide spoiler)]

I never read this book as a child, nor did I ever see a movie of it. But the name Long John Silver is one of the most recognizable pirate names. When (view spoiler)[ he was recruited to be the cook for the voyage, I knew there was going to be trouble. And when Jim was telling him about Black Dog and Spew (sp?), I suspected that these men were known to Silver. (hide spoiler)]

I hope to finish it today since there's only a couple of hours left on the audiobook.

I did finish it and gave it 3 stars. I can't be too harsh when I finish a book with a smile on my face. I wish I'd read it when I was a child - or had it read to me. I remember sitting in school and listening to a teacher read Little Lord Fauntleroy to us over a period of weeks. Treasure Island was originally a series published in a children's magazine. It seems a lot of classics were serialized in this way.

My favourite characters were Jim Hawkins and .... Long John Silver! Although he was undeniably a villain, he had a soft spot for Jim. He was a very shrewd person as we leaned in the section about him.

When you think about it, this book was the forerunner of the "romantic" notion we have about pirates and buried treasure. There have been generations of children who have grown up knowing the name of Long John Silver almost as much as they know the name Santa Claus.

Now point the way to some buried treasure, me hearties.

Billy Bones is such an interesting character. I agree with Jim that the impression he made on the village people and their mundane lives would have been thrilling to them and increased business at the inn. (a scary thrill like a huge roller coaster) I like the way the suspense builds with the black spot and Billy Bones's confrontation with Dr. Livesay.

When the pirates raid the Admiral Benbow Inn, Old Blind Pew is rather comic (view spoiler)[although he is run over and left in the ditch (hide spoiler)].
I like the way Stevenson builds in comic relief since there is so much violence and suspense. The part when Ben Gunn is introduced one of my favorite chapters. He tells things in a funny way, but Jim doesn't understand half of what Ben is trying to tell him.

I agree with others that Jim is clever, but he gets lucky, too.
(view spoiler)[Falling asleep in the apple barrel was certainly advantageous, but he was lucky the pirates didn't want an apple. (hide spoiler)]

I like Captain Smollett, too. He is everything a good leader should be even though the squire doesn't appreciate these qualities until later.

Connie (Ava Catherine) wrote: "I agree with others that Jim is clever, but he gets lucky, too. (view spoiler)."

I kept expecting someone to (view spoiler)[reach into the apple barrel. (hide spoiler)]

I got a bit bored when Jim took the coracle around the island and with all the fighting. However, I understand that having adventures is important to the development of the plot. Ben Gunn saved the day for me throughout the book. ( kept me in stitches) (view spoiler)[l loved it when he told the captain's men that " there'd be widders in the morning," meaning that he was going to kill some of the pirates on the beach. Haha! And all along he had the treasure safe and secure. What a guy! (hide spoiler)]

The superstitious nature of the pirates was interesting. (view spoiler)[When the pirate used the Bible to make the black spot, the other pirates essentially told him that he had signed his death warrant by defacing the Bible, and the pirate believed it.
It was clever how Ben Gunn pretended to be Flint's ghost and terrified the superstitious pirates when they had taken Jim prisoner and were going to get the treasure. They really had a fear of the supernatural. (hide spoiler)]

I also thought it was interesting that the squire and doctor (view spoiler)[allowed Long John Silver to leave the island and return to civilization, but the other pirates were marooned on the island, which was a common practice then. It seems that Long John Silver never suffered the consequences of his actions because he could talk his way out of any situation. Although he was a despicable person, most people wanted to like him. (hide spoiler)]

Connie (Ava Catherine) wrote: "I also thought it was interesting that the squire and doctor [spoilers removed]"

I felt that Long John Silver (view spoiler)[ knew how to play both sides well. He made everyone think he was on their side and just sat in the middle to see which side he would end up on, which was whichever side benefited him at that time. (hide spoiler)]

I read this as part of the challenge last year, but it was technically a re-read, as I read it as a child. So I thought I'd join in and contribute a little.

I really liked the build up in the first part of the book (view spoiler)[ the escape from the tavern, the mutiny on board ship. On my first reading, hiding in the apple barrel gave me nightmares... lol (hide spoiler)] Long John Silver is an amazing character. I agree with your comment Kristie. It's a tribute to the book that the character is still instantly recognisable as the definitive pirate, even by people who haven't read the book - in western culture anyway.

I didn't care much for the characters of the squire and doctor though(view spoiler)[ in my opinion, I thought they came across as spoiled privileged 'twits' who were easily misled as they had little idea of the world they were entering. They seemed so gullible. Then again, maybe it's just my biased opinion..? (hide spoiler)]

In the second part of the book (view spoiler)[ with the stockade, fighting, double-crossing etc (hide spoiler)] I found my attention wavering and had to resort to the audio book version to finish. I agree with Connie on this: too much superfluous to-ing and fro-ing and not enough action for my taste. I have little recollection of this section as a young reader either, so it's probably down to me being disinterested in that sort of thing.

I do think it's amazing the book has stood the test of time so well though. It's a worthy classic.

I've decided to join in after all, It's short and the ebook is free.

TrudyAn wrote: "I've decided to join in after all, It's short and the ebook is free."

Yay!! I'm about to join the other (Lusitania) discussion - I found the book in the library. Glad I'm not the only latecomer ; )

Welcome to the discussion, TrudyAn! Hope you enjoy it. :)

It is a quick read, Trudy. I hope you enjoy it.

I am at the end of chapter 15 - it is indeed a very quick read. I am trying to envision what my reaction to this story would have been, had I read it as a child. Action/adventure stories seldom entertain me, and I don't think I would have enjoyed this as a kid. At least the plot moves along quickly. My favourite aspect so far is learning the meanings of some of the language used.

I have finished the book. Having never read it previously, at long last I know the story of the legendary Long John Silver. The level of violence in the story was more than I anticipated for a children's book written in the 1800s, though I haven't read many books written in this period, so have little for comparison. Also, the degree that drinking/drunkenness played in the plot surprised me. This is an fast moving, old-fashioned adventure story, with a few plot twists. I give it three stars.

TrudyAn - Your comments made me think of the difference n how children were raised back then versus now. I wonder how parents would react nowadays to a book with that much violence and alcohol consumption in it? I would think that many would not want their children to read it.

I think a lot of contemporary kids' books have plenty of violence, starting with fairy tales for the little ones!

I think a lot of parents skip traditional fairytales for softer versions. I was surprised at how dark the originals were when I first read them. I think particularly the alcohol discussion and consumption wouldn't be seen in many children's books.

Kristie wrote: "TrudyAn - Your comments made me think of the difference n how children were raised back then versus now. I wonder how parents would react nowadays to a book with that much violence and alcohol cons..."

The book was published in 1883 when children had a much rawer deal than they do now. Child labour was still acceptable and I suppose children weren't as sheltered from the harsh reality of life.

Yes, exactly what I was referring to, Annerlee.

Finished Treasure Island 21 Apr, and gave it four stars.

Remembering that this tale of piracy and boyhood adventure was originally published in Young Folks magazine, in 17 weekly installments, I imagined the anticipation that the original readers would have had of the next edition. Where did each week end off? Cliffhangers no doubt. I'll bet THAT book club discussion would have been a lot livelier!

I was perplexed that Billy Bones remained at the Admiral Benbow inn. (view spoiler)[He seemed to always be "looking over his shoulder", fearful of old pirate acquaintances.The boy, Jim, is drawn into the blustery but good-hearted pirate's stories of excitement and adventure on the seas. Jim seems more sorrowful for his loss than the loss of his own father. (hide spoiler)]

It's amazing how much the "when" of reading a book changes the overall perception. My first reading of this book was about 20 years ago. There were many classics I had never read so I began to collect them and read them. Treasure Island was one of the first ones I read and I absolutely loved it!!!

I wasn't going to re-read this one, I thought I would remember more of the details when I read your posts. The more I read your posts the more I realized I remembered very little but the first few chapters and the way it ended. So...... I decided to listen to the audio version. The narration was great and I enjoyed the pirate music between sections but the story wasn't as interesting to me this time around. I had forgotten many of the details near the end when things are going back and forth but since I knew how it ended it greatly effected my desire to keep pace with the current situation. I'm not sure the following warrants a spoiler but better cloaked than uncloaked, right? (view spoiler)[ The cleverness of Jim seemed less clever in the second read and more like dumb luck. The squire and the doctor who seemed to somewhat anchor things in the first read were boring the second time around. The one character that was consistent in both reads: Ben Gunn!!!! The audio definitely added an extra layer of character to an already entertaining one.

I, too, was perplexed at Billy Bones remaining at the Inn. I thought a second read might reveal something that made it make more sense. If it was there, I missed it twice!! (hide spoiler)]

I've been reading in fits and starts between packing. I am enjoying it, but having difficulty holding focus, and struggling a bit with the language as a result. I am in agreement with a lot of the discussion so far - amazement at the amount of violence and drinking, the holding of breath during (view spoiler)[ the apple barrel. I am thinking that there is more to the doctor than meets the eye, and am really enjoying watching Mr. Silver unfurl his colours. (hide spoiler)]

Last day of the month tomorrow already! Don't forget to report having read this book in the reporting thread in order to get your badge.