Treasure Island (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) FROM OUR EDITORS
Barnes & Noble Classics offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of Barnes & Noble Classics:New introductions commissioned from today's top writers and scholars Biographies of the authors Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events Footnotes and endnotes Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work Comments by other famous authors Study questions to challenge the reader's viewpoints and expectations Bibliographies for further reading Indices & Glossaries, when appropriateAll editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. Barnes & Noble Classics pulls together a constellation of influencesbiographical, historical, and literaryto enrich each reader's understanding of these enduring works.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
The most popular pirate story ever written in English, featuring one of
literature’s most beloved “bad guys,” Treasure
Island has been happily devoured by several generations of
boys—and girls—and grownups. Its unforgettable characters
include: young Jim Hawkins, who finds himself owner of a map to Treasure
Island, where the fabled pirate booty is buried; honest Captain Smollett,
heroic Dr. Livesey, and the good-hearted but obtuse Squire Trelawney, who
help Jim on his quest for the treasure; the frightening Blind Pew,
double-dealing Israel Hands, and seemingly mad Ben Gunn, buccaneers of
varying shades of menace; and, of course, garrulous, affable, ambiguous
Long John Silver, who is one moment a friendly, laughing, one-legged
sea-cook . . .and the next a dangerous pirate leader!
The unexpected and complex relationship that develops between Silver and
Jim helps transform what seems at first to be a simple, rip-roaring
adventure story into a deeply moving study of a boy’s growth into
manhood, as he learns hard lessons about friendship, loyalty, courage and
honor—and the uncertain meaning of good and evil.
Angus Fletcher is Distinguished Professor Emeritus, City University
of New York, and is the author of Allegory: The Theory of a Symbolic
Mode, Colors of the Mind, and A New Theory for American
Poetry, among other books.