Treasure Island

By: Robert Louis Stevenson

Narrated by: David Buck

Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

With buried treasure, treacherous buccaneers, a young hero, and Long John Silver, the one-legged villain, Treasure Island remains one of the most popular of pirate adventures.

©1986 BBC Audiobooks Ltd (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Outstanding Book and Narrator

Some books are considered classics because the story is unique and compelling. Others are praised because of the superlative writing style of the author. A handful of books have both qualities. Treasure Island is one.

This is the quintissential pirate book. Peg legs. A talking parrot perched atop a pirate's shoulder. Swashbuckling adventure on deck and atop the jib. And of course, Long John Silver. It's all here.

This is an astonishing book made even moreso when you consider Stevenson was just 31 years old when he wrote it. Subtle humor, action, sea adventure, double-crosses. And gorgeous prose.

And this particular audio version showcases an outstanding narrator. His various character voices were so distinct that at times I supposed I was listening to a dramatic retelling using various actors.

Buy it. Download it. Relish it.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

One of the best

I thought I'd listened to all the recordings of Treasure Island, but somehow I'd missed this one. It was a case of saving one of the best for last. David Buck is a passionate reader and is master of the many voices that fill this masterpiece of swashbuckling. A treat from start to finish.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The one to get

I sampled a wide variety of readings before settling on this one, and I couldn't have been happier. David Buck's narration is superb. This is the one to get!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Well read version

This version was great. Best read fiction story I've ever heard. More like a radio play than a simple reading. Got to know the entire host of characters just from the voice, and found the story easier to follow with the narrator reading than when I read it on paper.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A swashbuckling tail of epic proportions

What did you like best about this story?

All of it. Outstanding!

Which scene was your favorite?

"Aye Jim Boy. Keep a weather eye out for a seafaring man with one leg. You will do that for me won’t you Jim Boy"

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

A must read

Must read classic

As a classic, there is no doubt one should consider reading this book. I love finding out where terms and/or characters originate from and this book includes several. Ever been to Long John Silver's? Just happens to be the antagonist who played the role of the ship's cook.

The question is whether or not this is the version to download. I agree with other reviews - the narrator did a fantastic job - so go ahead and purchase with confidence.

Argh, Jim M'lad

If you could sum up Treasure Island in three words, what would they be?

Adventure, Treasure and Pirates! (What's not to love about that?)

What did you like best about this story?

I tried out this book some years ago when I was at school and I did not get very far with it, but over the years I think I have developed a love for adventure books.
I just couldn't get enough Treasure Island. I loved hearing the story through Jim's head and thoughts and the characters were so full of life (well, if they weren't dead).
I felt like I was there, shooting at pirates or running through the undergrowth on a desert island. I especially loved Jim's view of things he had never seen before. Seals for example, were giant snail like monsters who barked.
Brilliant.

What about David Buck’s performance did you like?

His characters.
He went from old Jim, to young Jim, to Long John Silver, to Square Trelawney with a seamless ease and never a stumble.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

If I hadn't been working while listening to this I think I would have been biting my nails.

Any additional comments?

The ending!
Those last few words had such a haunting, echoey feel to them...Marvellous!!
I think I will be going hunting for some more books along the same line as this one over the next few week. :)

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

Brilliant!

This is one of the best tales ever told. It's no wonder just about every pirate film ever made totally rips it off. This is the authentic original.

It tells of a voyage at sea without falling into the trap that many stories of this type fall into; namely digressing into lengthy technical discussions about sailing.

There is as much in this story of time on land in England and in the West Indies. It gives a sense of frontier life.

Of course, the main delight of this story and the most famous is Long John Silver. Now I know why the character is so famous. He's both loveable and revolting at the same time. He's a slithering snake of a man and the narrator portrays him perfectly. He portrays every character perfectly for that matter.

I consider this audio book absolutely essential.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Original pirates of the Caribbean...

Loved it ... Classic adventure... Brings you back to your childhood.. Written the way a pirate story should be. Couldn't think of a better book for adventure.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Long John Silver

This is a beautifully read classical pirate's tale. Dating back to the Victorian days there's plenty of chivalrous heroes and scoundrel pirates; I love the fact that they raise the British Flag even though it gives away their position! I listened to this during my daily commute and I had listened carefully to keep track of the story. Enjoyed it thoroughly!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Such a classic adventure story, very well read!

Read this as a child and it's still just as good now! Gripping read, well narrated!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

A true classic

Still as brilliant a tale now as it was when first read almost fifty years ago
and beautifully narrated .

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Brilliant narration of an all time classic!

The narration of this book was fantastic. Each of the characters were brought to life with their personalities accentuated brilliantly. I've now read Treasure Island twice and listened to it once, and could easily listen to this version again.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Ripping yarn in the best way possible

I read it as a child; listening gave a new dimension to this classic book

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Timeless classic

Few books get better than this! Exciting adventure for adults and children alike - must have been amazing to read when first written and still is now - loved it!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Brilliantly done

A classic story, very well performed by the narrator. I'll seek him out again as he was very talented and really added to the experience.
British as a plus when so many on here are read by Americans.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful