Awards-

• Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults
  Young Adult Library Services Association
• Best Audiobooks
  AudioFile
• Notable Children's Recordings
  Association for Library Service to Children
• Odyssey Award Honor
  American Library Association

Excerpts-

• From the book

  Chapter I
  
  The Old Sea Dog at the "Admiral Benbow"
  
  Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, from the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the island, and that only because there is still treasure not yet lifted, I take up my pen in the year of grace 17-, and go back to the time when my father kept the "Admiral Benbow" inn, and the brown old seaman, with the sabre cut, first took up his lodging under our roof.
  
  I remember him as if it were yesterday, as he came plodding to the inn door, his sea-chest following behind him in a hand-barrow; a tall, strong, heavy, nut-brown man; his tarry pigtail falling over the shoulders of his soiled blue coat; his hands ragged and scarred, with black, broken nails; and the sabre cut across one cheek, a dirty, livid white. I remember him looking round the cove and whistling to himself as he did so, and then breaking out in that old sea-song that he sang so often afterwards:-
  
  "Fifteen men on the dead man's chest-
  
  Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!"
  
  in the high, old tottering voice that seemed to have been tuned and broken at the capstan bars. Then he rapped on the door with a bit of stick like a handspike that he carried, and when my father appeared, called roughly for a glass of rum. This, when it was brought to him, he drank slowly, like a connoisseur, lingering on the taste, and still looking about him at the cliffs and up at our signboard.
  
  "This is a handy cove," says he, at length; "and a pleasant sittyated grog-shop. Much company, mate?"
  
  My father told him no, very little company, the more was the pity.
  
  "Well, then," said he, "this is the berth for me. Here you, matey," he cried to the man who trundled the barrow; "bring up alongside and help up my chest. I'll stay here a bit," he continued. "I'm a plain man; rum and bacon and eggs is what I want, and that head up there for to watch ships off. What you mought call me? You mought call me captain. Oh, I see what you're at-there;" and he threw down three or four gold pieces on the threshold. "You can tell me when I've worked through that," says he, looking as fierce as a commander.
  
  And, indeed, bad as his clothes were, and coarsely as he spoke, he had none of the appearance of a man who sailed before the mast; but seemed like a mate or skipper, accustomed to be obeyed or to strike. The man who came with the barrow told us the mail had set him down the morning before at the "Royal George;" that he had inquired what inns there were along the coast, and hearing ours well spoken of, I suppose, and described as lonely, had chosen it from the others for his place of residence. And that was all we could learn of our guest.
  
  He was a very silent man by custom. All day he hung round the cove, or upon the cliffs, with a brass telescope; all evening he sat in a corner of the parlour next the fire, and drank rum and water very strong. Mostly he would not speak when spoken to; only look up sudden and fierce, and blow through his nose like a fog-horn; and we and the people who came about our house soon learned to let him be. Every day, when he came back from his stroll, he would ask if any seafaring men had gone by along the road? At first we thought it was the want of company of his own kind that made him ask this question; but at last we began to see he was desirous to avoid them. When a seaman put up at the "Admiral Benbow" (as now and then some did, making by the coast road for Bristol),...

About the Author-

• Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer who spent the last part of his life in the Samoan islands. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, The Master of Ballantrae, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
  
  Alfred Molina received a Tony nomination for his performance in the Broadway play Art. He is one of the most respected character actors in modern film, with appearances in Boogie Nights, Maverick, Chocolat, Spiderman-2, The Da Vinci Code, An Education, Prince of Persia and many more.  

Reviews-

• Take a well-read classic filled with larger-than-life characters and pair it with a master narrator. Voilà--you've got a brand-new classic. Alfred Molina's narration is like pulling up a chair next to a fire on a chilly night and being chilled all over again by Stevenson's tale of piracy on the high seas. Molina's portrayals are perfection. He's a careful observer in his depiction of young Jim Hawkins and just as easily becomes mild-mannered Dr. Livesey, blustery Squire Trelawney, and unctuous, rebellious Long John Silver. Nonstop action and suspense make this a perfect listen for all family members, who may begin to chime in with the many "yo-ho-hos." S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine
• 

  August 31, 2009
  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 clichés of the pirate genre and instead portrays complex characters in a performance that will delight listeners of all ages.

• Renowned narrator/storyteller Jim Weiss presents two productions for the younger set. Tell Me a Story! is a collection of adaptations of seven well-known favorites, such as "The Bremen Town Musicians," "Goldilocks," and "The Little Red Hen," that will appeal to listeners in preschool through second grade. Treasure Island is an adaptation of the Stevenson classic, geared more toward older school-age children. Weiss is a talented and deservedly respected narrator. His voice is versatile in reading dialogue and expressive with narration. He infuses his performances with energy, enthusiasm, and expressiveness. Such a talent makes for an enjoyable listening experience for all. M.T.F. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
• 

  May 1, 2008
  Gr 4 Up-Among the litany of popular pirate fare, Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale remains one of the best. This version, beautifully narrated by Alfred Molina, was a 2008 Odyssey Award Honor selection for excellence in audio production. Young Jim's introduction to a "gentleman of fortune's" world is captivating, energetic, and suspenseful. Long John Silver, the ruthless pirate who charms the crew, launches a mutiny in pursuit of hidden treasure, with Jim caught between the mutineers and the ship's sponsors. Molina's balanced intonation and subtle characterizations enhance Stevenson's text. Dramatic pacing keeps listeners on the edge of their gunwales. Pirates who stereotypically growl through their grog, here are rendered to induce a realistic fear of being drawn and quartered on the poop deck. Perhaps the finest sea adventure ever written, this audiobook is sure to be a hit with young buccaneers. And don't miss the afterword on the final CD, a well-written biography of Stevenson and his literary contributions.Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, WY

  Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

• Jim Hawkins, son of the proprietor of the Admiral Benbow Inn, is fascinated by a mysterious seaman who takes up lodging. The visitor's death leads to the discovery of a treasure map, setting Jim on the course that leads him to Long John Silver and the search for Captain Kidd's treasure. Michael Prichard reads this famous adventure story with the wistful quality of an adult looking back on a childhood adventure. The voices of pirates live up to the clichés--many of which were set by this yarn--but Prichard gives Silver a touch of humanity. Listeners who enjoyed PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN might check out this original pirate tale. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
• David Buck successfully brings to life the familiar characters of Stevenson's time-honored tale of adventure and rebellion. His talented voice easily differentiates the educated characters from the illiterate. Appropriately, he uses deep, raspy bass tones for the mutineers and more reserved timbre for the loyal crew. Suspense is effectively heightened, especially in the exciting battle scenes. This is an enjoyable presentation of the well-known classic. C.J.M. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
• The famous movie portrayals of Long John Silver have led us to expect a particular cadence to the pirate's voice. But shiver me timbers, reader David Case surprises us with a different, but no less effective, variation on the devious and murderous rascal. His Silver and other characterizations are crisply presented in well-paced British intonations. The package offers no sound effects or other elaborations, but the story flies along regardless; this is a very good version of the children's favorite. D.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
• This favorite tale is adapted to a three-hour format with reasonable success. Stevenson's vivid characterizations are missed, but the story flows well. Keir Dullea has a clear, resonant voice which projects well but fails to convey enough of the sinister guile of Long John Silver. The gruffness of the pirates' voices and their gallantry will be popular with a young audience but seem somewhat one-dimensional. The voice of Jim Hawkins, recounting the legend, varies in energy and at times loses its youthfulness. After this introduction, a listener can seek the full text to fill out the images. R.F.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
• This is an engaging full-cast adaptation of Stevenson's classic. Narrated by the young cabin boy, Jim Hawkins, this pirate adventure is told with a thick cockney accent, which adds to the story. Despite frequent contractions and dropped consonants, young listeners will have little trouble following the story. The script is faithful to Stevenson's novel, and this production is enhanced with music and sound effects, making it an effective movie for the mind. Highly recommended for buccaneers of all ages. S.E.S. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
• British actor Alan Cummings successfully captures the danger and adventures of the high seas and the mysterious, dark world of young Jim Hawkins, who finds Captain Flint's treasure map, as well as the one-legged sailor, Long John Silver, and his mutinous followers. Those who know TREASURE ISLAND probably won't be satisfied with this abridged offering (which pares the lengthy novel down to a bare-bones plot summary), but Cumming's skillful narration may lead listeners unfamiliar with the classic adventure tale to read the novel--or to seek out an unabridged audio recording. C.R.A. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
• The children's adventure classic comes alive in this excellent audio performance. Narrator Pat Franklyn's young voice rolls words like "buccaneer" and "Hispaniola" as if he tastes them, and they taste almighty good. Rick Cimino offers a conventional Long John Silver in the same salt-laden accents that Wallace Beery and Robert Newton brought to the big screen. The other characters are played perfectly, too, and the enhancements--piping music, the clash of cutlasses, the boom of cannon--are exactly where they belong. My children listened to this over and over, and so did I. D.W. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
• Set in the 1700s, Stevenson's tale of high adventure and mutiny is filled with colorful characters that are now considered pirate archetypes. English actor Jasper Britton expertly avoids running aground. Instead he provides strong, distinct character voices with a wide range and layers of emotion. Britton's register squawks high in his portrayal of angry Blind Pew, and his midrange staccato is perfect for haughty Squire Trelawney. His portrayal of Long John Silver is the most compelling. Rather than creating a stereotypical villain, Britton gives the character a rare depth, convincing us (and young Jim) that he is a good man through a sincere-sounding delivery. Lads and lasses and scalawags everywhere should "sail ho" and listen to this classic adventure! L.M. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine
• 

  October 5, 2009
  Stevenson’s prototypical swashbuckling story receives a traditional treatment in this unabridged, oversize version. Lawrence evokes the essence of classic adventure stories with his vinyl-cut illustrations, as thick black shapes are tempered by muted tones of blue, gold and green. The grimacing faces of pirates are appropriately blemished and begrimed, elegant vessels are seen moored under a starry sky and the island’s wild intrigue is captured in subtle, grainy glimpses. As they follow Jim Hawkins to sea, readers will feel they’ve discovered a true relic with this edition. Ages 9–14.

• 

  July 1, 2003
  The Scribner Storybook Classic line adds Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, abridged by Timothy Meis, with vintage illustrations by N.C. Wyeth. Young Jim Hawkins finds a treasure map and follows it to South America, only to wind up in the hands of the notorious pirate Long John Silver. Climactic scenes of aggressive mutineers or the hero's valiant attempt to keep the evil Mr. Hands at bay come alive in Wyeth's atmospheric oil paintings.

Title Information+

• Publisher

  Books on Tape

• OverDrive Listen

  Release date:

Digital Rights Information+