Category Archives: British Literature

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Posted by admin on January 18, 2010 None comments

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson can be told as the ultimate pirate novel of all times. It was first published in 1883 but like those great children’s classics still everyone can enjoy the book. Classic novel Treasure Island is a magnificent creation which run children’s imagination to maximum level. Treasure Island is a novel filled to the brim with tales of adventure, betrayal and, something which make all children excited about .. treasure !! I still remember how much I enjoyed this book when I first read it as a 12 years old boy.

Jim, is a preteen who lives with his parents at the little inn and tavern that they own. A rough and unruly customer comes to stay with them, a salty old pirate with inappropriate stories and foul drinking songs. Jim is enthralled with the man and befriends him; the old crusty pirate even pays Jim to “Keep an eye out for a man with one leg.” When the rest of the pirates locate the inn where Jim and his family live, they make an appearance, demanding something that the old pirate had taken from them. Through an act of both luck and bravery, Jim and his mother escape the pirates and take with them the hidden object – a map showing the location of an enormous buried treasure. Jim, the good Doctor, and a few other individuals from town decide to rent a boat to go after the treasure… but when they start their voyage, a man with one leg joins the boat as the cook and the rest of the crew isn’t behaving quite properly. The rest of the tale involves mutiny, back stabbing, treachery, treasure, gunfights, castaways and adventure of the highest caliber.

A treasure map where X marks the spot, a schooner set to sail, a onelegged seaman with a parrot on his shoulder, a boy whose bravery will be tested by murder, mutiny, and betrayal — Robert Louis Stevenson’s well-loved tale is the ultimate swashbuckling adventure. Sweeping a path from the sleepy English coast to the raging high seas to a tropical island concealing a buried treasure, this story of friendship and greed, loyalty and courage stars an unforgettable cast of characters: young Jim Hawkins, the terrifying Blind Pew, the wild man Ben Gunn, and one of literature’s most dastardly villains, the charming, crafty, and utterly unscrupulous Long John Silver.

Treasure Island is entry point to world of pirates for children. Any child would enjoy this great children’s novel without doubt. It’s an old fashioned action adventure clearly written with children about the age of 12 in mind. Treasure Island hardcover book would be a great gift for any preteen who love adventure. It would something they would treasure for rest of the life.

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

Posted by admin on January 9, 2010 None comments

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome is the is the first book in The Swallows and Amazons series. It was first published in 1930 and story is set in the Lake District between the two World Wars. If you are a fan of English childrens classics of Enid Blyton then you should read childrens novels written by Arthur Ransome. Swallows of Amazons is a book for children, grownups, for anyone captivated by the world of adventure and imagination.

The story follows the Walker children (John, Susan, Titty and Roger), who sail a borrowed dinghy named Swallow, and the Blackett children (Nancy and Peggy), who sail a dinghy named Amazon. The Walkers are staying at a farm near a lake during the school holidays and want to camp on an island in the lake; the Blacketts live in a house nearby. The children meet on the island which they call Wild Cat Island, and have a series of adventures, involving sailing, camping, fishing, exploration and piracy.

Swallows and Amazons was inspired by a summer spent by Ransome teaching the children of his friends, the Altounyans, to sail. Three of the Altounyan children’s names are adopted directly for the Walker family. Ransome and Ernest Altounyan bought two small dinghies called Swallow and Mavis.

Arthur Ransome‘s “Swallows and Amazons” is the first in a classic series of childrens stories that will appeal to readers of all ages. Just like what Times Literary Supplement says about the book it has plenty of excitement, a little danger, a quality of thinking, planning and fun which is delightful and stimulating. What I like about this book is it can really happen to anyone because it has nothing unnatural or unrealistic. This one is very innocent, with no real violence or menace, but full of joyful adventure. The children are great role models; they’re feisty and independent, yet still respectful of their elders. A book parents would want their kids to read. even Adults who have happy memories of exploring will enjoy Swallows and Amazons novels. Even if you never had done these kind of things in your childhood then your imagination would take you back to your childhood and let you feel you are there in the story. Its a great book to be given as a gift to any child who loves reading. Swallows and Amazons Hard cover book would be a real treasure any kids book collection.