Treasure Island

It is always a pleasure, at least for the reader, to revisit Treasure Island. Stevenson billed it as a "boy's book", but it is more than that. The hero, Jim Hawkins, IS a boy, and has all of a boy's heedless impulsiveness, and none of an adult's analysis or judgment. But Stevenson, using Jim as his narrator, manages his characters so shrewdly that the reader can analyze and judge far beyond Jim's ability. It's an interesting feat: Jim is by no means an unreliable narrator, but the adult reader sees much more than Jim does. I enjoy the squire and the doctor much more than I did when I was young, now that I am their age and have many friends with both their failings and their virtues. And Long John Silver retains both his insinuating charm, and terrifying malevolence.

Although it is something of a "boys" book, it is more than that. This is high adventure and lots of fun. There is a touch a naivete, it isn't pervasive, but is necessary since the POV is the boy's who's narrative this is. It's interesting that some of the adults are as naive, without the excuse of youth.

It's a great story, pirate's treasure, adventure on the high seas, and prowling around on a tropical island avoiding skulduggery!

This is the one from which sprung those classic characters we've all known, especially the oh so seductive Long John Silver!

The narrator is perfect for the work. He is the story teller of the best kind, a voice you listen to, and the ability of a true storyteller. I was captivated.

This is a great story of kids growing up and coming of age. The young lad discovers a map and it leads him on an adventure that forces him to grow up sooner than he would have liked. He was already mature from his work and life before finding the map. The lad never asked for this adventure and only wanted the payment due to him and his mum.

Great narration and a great story, however with the price at $2.95 it cannot be beat!
There are a very few spots in the recording where there is brief distortion but it passes quickly and takes nothing away from the pleasure of listening!

I was shocked to find this book at such a low price. Michael Page does a wonderful job of reading this book. For the price I was expecting an amateur reading, (Like you find on Librivox) but this was a first class narration. Kudos to Michael Page for bringing this book to life. Five stars!

Missed reading this when I was younger. Am enjoying listening to some of the "classics" now. Will continue to listen to more classics!

On my jaunt through the classics I decided I had to listen to this, on what I'm told was National Talk Like A Pirate Day. While I'm skeptical about that holiday, no one should be about this book. It's a great adventure and coming of age story. It also shows that sometimes in order for things to work out you must take initiative as Jim Hawkins finds out on several occasions.

Bottom line: if you like pirates and adventure you need to listen to this.

The voices were great, the story (being the first time I read it) was great

no

Toward the end of book when the pirates were looking finding the treasure

Absolutely great book, especially at this price, its a no brainer and should be in your library

For my Kid, Yes !

Michael Page is the BEST !

He had astounding range, playing anything from a proper English Doctor and Long John to a T !!

Pretty Close...a long 4 hour car ride, both ways !

MORE !

The audio is appealing to the imagination is a very different way than text. The imagery flows with the reader. Your focus is much more in the moment rather than focusing on the activity of reading. In that sense it's enjoyable and freeing to listen to Treasure Island. The benefit of reading it yourself is that your mind fills in the auditory experience with imagination. Flint might have a slight wheezing and Silver have a more unctuous tone. The two experiences of reading and listening are completely different. Neither is better than the other qualitatively. What can be judged is the ability of the orator. In this case I felt Michael Page did a fine job breathing life into the characters and pacing the text.

The description of the attack on the lodge was my favorite part. The description of the lodge's construction, temperature and humidity of the jungle, coupled with the suspense building to the fight and the rapid description of it, made the action exciting. Also, the tactics described during the battle added credibility to the story. It was a brief yet memorable.

Michael Page's pacing was outstanding. The text moved quickly but didn't sound rushed. The pirate's dialect can get a little bewildering when you read it but Michael's interpretation made sense of every rum soaked word.