Robert Louis Stevenson
1883
Around 250 pages
After assigning such heavy novels, the Listmakers give us a bit of a break with this one. Although it certainly doesn't qualify as a favorite, it was a fun respite from some of the denser books on the List.
Jim Hawkins, the son of an innkeeper, recently lost his father. An old sailor, Billy Bones, arrives at his family's inn and warns Jim about a one-legged pirate. After Billy suffers a stroke, he tells Jim that his creepy shipmates want the contents of his sea chest. Jim discovers that the sea chest contains a treasure map and well, adventures ensue.
Obviously, this is one of the most iconic novels of all time and it was interesting to check out such a famous story. Clearly it is not the most contemplative book I have ever read, but it was exciting and short. We don't get a lot of junky books on this List, so I would recommend this after reading something particularly grueling.
RATING: ***--
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
Robert Louis Stevenson said that this was a book for boys, and that women were excluded. Makes sense, consider our cooties.
Invented the concept of "X marks the spot" and a pirate with a parrot on his shoulder.
UP NEXT: A Woman's Life by Guy de Maupassant. Sounds cheerful.
