Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Treasure Island

Dominic

English period 2

One of the most interesting books that I have had the pleasure to read is Treasure Island by Robert Louise Stevenson. I was given this book to read by a seventh grade English teacher as an assignment. At first I was not excited that I had to read this book because the English dialect was difficult to understand. But once I started reading it I was lured by the conflict between characters and excitement throughout the story. I selected this book for this book review because it is an interesting and fun read that I would recommend to other students in middle school. The story is very detailed and it described in detail each characters identity.

The two main characters in Treasure Island are Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver. The story goes deep into the relationship between these two characters describing a very complex love-hate relationship. In the story Long John befriends young Jim Hawkins all along plotting to betray his companion to get what he is looking for. In the story Long John Silver is a courageous man with one leg and a parrot on one shoulder, but he is a pirate none the less willing to do or say anything for his own survival, who had previously served on the notorious Captain Flints Ship. On the other hand, Jim Hawkins is a young boy troubled by the recent death of his father. Jim is also courageous and wiling to do whatever it takes for whatever is right in his mind. Long John and Jim are brought together by one thing their desire for treasure but in this search for treasure is a complicated relationship between the two that will draw any reader to the book.

"He was plainly blind, for he tapped before him with a stick, and wore a great green shade over his eyes and nose; and he was hunched, as if with age or weakness, and wore a huge old tattered sea cloak with a hood, that made him appear positively deformed. I never saw in my life a more dreadful-looking figure" (Ch. III, pp. 28-29). This quote is a descriptive of Pew the blind beggar from Jim's perspective. I feel that it is importance because it shows the level of descriptiveness used throughout the book. Also this descriptiveness is what would draw most readers to this book, because it allows the reader to have a deep understanding of each character and scenario as if you knew them or were in the scene yourself.

My rating systems has one apple as being the lowest rated reading material and meaning you should not read the book. Two apples means that it is an okay rated book and you might be interested in reading it. Three apples means that the book is a must read book for everyone.

I chose apples as my rating system because Jim Hawkins is in the apple barrel hiding when he discovers that Long John Silver and his crew of pirates are going to try to take over the ship they are traveling on. Treasure Island is definitely a three apple.

I recommend this book to everyone. It was interesting, fun to read, and it captures the reader and as the reader I wanted to read more. The plot and the conflict between characters captured me. In addition, I feel that this book allows you to understand the physical traits of the character and as much as their emotional traits. I really felt that I was inside each character. I feel that anyone who reads this book can draw these characters on paper because of the high level of detail. Reading this book was like being in the story yourself. It captured my imagination and I think it will capture any reader's imagination.

I recommend this book to all audiences as it is a classic must read for everyone. The only warning I have is that the dialect is different but don't shy away from it because it helps the reader get into character, and it makes the storyline more interesting and fun to read.

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