Treasure Island

Having tried in vain to persuade my pre-teenage children to read Treasure Island years ago – the 10-year-old said he couldn’t handle all that ‘if he durst, quoth I’ stuff and asked for the latest Ian Rankin instead – I now realise where I went wrong. They should have listened to it. What’s more, they should have listened to Jasper Britton reading this best-ever adventure story, which has the same mesmeric ability to keep you hanging on every word as the Ancient Mariner. It has all that’s required of a ripping yarn – danger, suspense, treachery, mystery, a quest triggered by a musty old map in a sea chest with the proverbial ‘X’ marking the spot where the treasure is buried, and a courageous juvenile lead. There are characters with terrifying names: Black Dog, Blind Pugh, Billy Bones and the legendary one-legged Long John Silver, whose villainy is somehow excusable because he’s so damned charismatic. Every car should have it.

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 with pantomime. 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 mid-range 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, often convincing us (and young Jim) that he is a good man through a very sincere-sounding delivery. Lads and lasses and scalawags everywhere should ‘sail ho’ and listen to this classic adventure!