Reviews

Gr 7 Up-The archetypal sea-faring adventure story is given another rousing and dramatic rendition in this quickly paced abridged entry in Hodder's top-flight Classic Collection series. The critical plot and subplot threads have been beautifully retained, and all the classic lines like "shiver me timbers" have been included. Stalwart English actor Richard Griffiths handles the bulk of the narrative chores flawlessly and is particularly effective in his pacing. He is capably assisted by Gareth Armstrong who, inexplicably, is uncredited on the cassette case. The subtle use of occasional sound effects such as gulls, lapping waves, and cannon and gunshot enhances this superb version of Stevenson's masterpiece. All collections should make room for this fine work.-Barry X. Miller, Austin Public Library, TX Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Tim Gregory captures the essence of this classic coming-of-age tale featuring villainous buccaneers, buried treasure, murder, treachery and adventure on the high seas. We follow the exploits of young Jim Hawkins along his voyage for treasure aboard the Hispaniola to his showdown with the villain Long John Silver on Treasure Island. Gregory introduces a host of uniquely rendered characters, with Silver and his pirates matching wits and weapons with Hawkins and his comrades as they battle for control of Treasure Island and a share of Captain Flint's long lost treasure. Gregory's rendering of the iconic characters-particularly the duplicitous Silver and the marooned and raving Ben Gunn-are nuanced, true to the text and utterly enjoyable. He avoids the easy cliches of the pirate genre and instead portrays complex characters in a performance that will delight listeners of all ages. (June) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.