Silver

Return to Treasure Island

By: Andrew Motion

Narrated by: David Tennant

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

In the eastern reaches of the Thames lies the Hispaniola, an inn kept by Jim Hawkins and his son. Late one night, a mysterious girl named Natty arrives on the river with a request for Jim from her father - Long John Silver. Aged and weak, but still possessing a strange power, the pirate proposes Jim and Natty sail to Treasure Island in search of Captain Flint's hidden bounty. But the thrill of the ocean odyssey gives way to terror as the Nightingale reaches its destination, for it seems Treasure Island is not as uninhabited as it once was....

Silver is a worthy sequel to Treasure Island and a work of extraordinary authenticity and imaginative power from one of England's greatest writers.

©2012 Andrew Motion (P)2012 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Critic reviews

"...rich and thrilling narrative which so ingeniously complements [Treasure Island]." ( The Independent)

"Motion writes beautifully...a darker world than Stevenson's with real evil and genuine loss in it - and a tentative but credible burgeoning love story. Considered as a sequel, Silver more than holds its own as an adventure story." ( Irish Independent)

"...a splendid adventure story in its own right." ( The Guardian)

What a story and dramatic reading!

Excellent reading of an excellent book! I highly recommend. it says I need more words. Word Word Word

great story, poor ending

this was a great story with fantastic narration. left a little sour by an abrupt and wholly unsatisfying ending..

it was a good story

it was kind of hard to get into, but overall a good book to read

WOW!!!

David Tennant is an amazing narrator! I could listen to him all day!!! The story was a great sequel to Treasure Island with suspense, humor, and a bit of romance. All in all, a very enjoyable listen!

Brilliantly read! Every character voiced to perfection.

This well written story was entertaining and absorbing, in no small part because of David Tennant

Wait... it's over?

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I really enjoyed it because David Tennant. The book's well-written and entertaining, but I was nonplussed by the abrupt ending and had to look to make sure there wasn't supposed to be another part to the audiobook.

Would you be willing to try another book from Andrew Motion? Why or why not?

I suppose I will have to read the sequel to this because I need to know what happens next... which shows that Mr. Motion got me hooked enough to want to carry on.

What does David Tennant bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He's a remarkable actor who brings all the characters to life. It's always easy to tell who's talking because he doesn't just read the book, he really acts all the parts and makes them vivid and unique. I've listened to a lot of Tennant's audiobooks and I think this is one of his best.

Could you see Silver being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I could see this being a movie.

decent

The recording seemed to have a repeated chapter.

I thought the story had a good plot and some great parts, but I'd like to see more adventure and less romance. The story seems to need some more drafts by the author.

An Enchanting Idea

This book is so beautifully conceived and beautifully written -- astonishing imagery coupled with shrewd insight -- that I ran out and bought a HARDBOUND copy for my sister! The son of Jim Hawkins and the daughter of Long John Silver set off for treasure, just as their fathers did, and, like their fathers, end up in the land of mature experience, a treasure in itself. If there is a fault, it is that it devolves into mere action adventure at the very end (keeping an eye on a Disney franchise?). But on the way it delivers some very thoughtful entertainment.

Special praise goes to the narrator, David Tennant, for providing excellent characterizations for a large cast -- not too broad, not too dry.

Way too abrupt an ending

Any additional comments?

Perhaps if listeners had a notion that this novel might be part of a series the abrupt last chapters would be more bearable.

David Tennant is a superb narrator who brings life to all of the characters. Andrew Motion's novel was descriptive and prosy to a point and then the story line unraveled with side tangents and long commentary from Jim that just went on and on and on. I was annoyed enough to wish to turn the page, only to have the story end without closure or sense.

I do not know whether I would purchase a next novel if there was a series.

Silver tongue

Enjoyed it immensely. David Tennant does voices beautifully! At times I had to remind myself it was just him reading!