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Back to Treasure Island
Pocket Book Junior edition, 1951. J-69 Pocket Book. The Junior Series evolved from the digest-format Comet Books that began in 1948. The Comet series ended with #34 and the Pocket Book Junior series started with #35. There were 77 titles in all.
- GenresFiction
237 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1935
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 11, 2024
Dr Livesey and Squire Trelawney lost their fortune in the South Sea Bubble. Now they intend going back to Treasure Island to reclaim the buried silver there. Jim Hawkins who stored his treasures near the Admiral Benbow fits a ship (of course it's The Hispaniola) and together they sail back to the legendary island. Ben Gunn is with them. But he's not the only one! You'll meet many of the famous characters of the original again and of course Silver is mightily involved in the action. Really enjoyed the sequel. Calahan comes up with an excellent story. It could have been done by Stevenson. The plot and the locations were very similar only used in a new context. The atmosphere was very authentic and I loved the references to all the old pirates from the original. An absolute page turner and must read for every Treasure Island fan. I never lost Treasure Island out of sight. Highly recommended!
July 1, 2020
Segundas partes. ¿Una gran novela necesita segundas partes? Harold Agustin Calahan, marino y escritor estadounidense publicó en 1935 una continuación de la que es quizá, la mejor novela de aventuras de todos los tiempos: La Isla del Tesoro. Según Calahan, Stevenson tuvo en mente una continuación para su novela, halló por tanto, algunos indicios, cabos sueltos e historias a medio contar, para hilvanar una novela que imita el estilo de Stevenson, devolviéndonos a la Hispaniola, junto a Jim Hawkings, Trelawney, Livesey, el capitán Gray, Ben Gunn, John Silver, Morgan y demás. En efecto, Calahan revivió los personajes de Stevenson encontrando algunos hilos por dónde tirar: el mapa del tesoro señala dos ubicaciones para el tesoro y un escondite de armas, Stevenson utiliza solo un escondite, dejando intactas lar armas y los lingotes de plata; Brandly, el sujeto de integridad dudosa que ayudó en el alquiler de la Hispaniola no vuelve a aparecer en la novela, ni tampoco la esposa negra de Silver, mencionada varias veces, personajes de vital importancia en la continuación; finalmente, el destino de Silver, embarcado a las Islas Occidentales, sugiere según Calahan, la intención de Stevenson de una segunda parte. No se pude corroborar esta idea, recordemos que la “Isla del Tesoro” fue una novela creada para un lector particular, Lloyd Osbourne, hijo de la esposa de Stevenson, lo que podría significar que sus alcances y posteriores repercusiones fueron una sorpresa. No podemos aseverar que Stevenson planeara una continuación, pero si podemos afirmar que “Back to Treasure Island” es una digna segunda parte. Ya conocemos los ambientes: la posada Bembow, el barco y la isla, zarpemos por segunda ocasión, a bpor los tesoros dejados en la isla y para ver que fue de los abandonados.
La novela inicia retomando el final de la original, mientras el doctor y el terrateniente invierten sus riquezas en acciones en la bolsa de valores y en multinacionales, Jim entierra parte de su tesoro desconfiando de la incipiente banca, cerca de su la aciaga posada del Almirante Bembow. La negra Diana entra como camarera de la posada, servicial, solícita y generosa, nunca despertará sospechas. Al poco tiempo arriban los piratas, saben que parte de la fortuna está enterrada y casi indefensa. Trelawney y Livesey pierden sus inversiones quedando en bancarrota, acuden a Jim para organizar una segunda expedición a la Isla de a Calavera, esta vez con hombres leales y honrados. Sin embargo, Silver y su banda de filibusteros logran colarse de polizones en la embarcación preparando el motín. Las escaramuzas inician más temprano que tarde, la batalla se vuelve sangrienta en la isla, la búsqueda encarnizada. Jim demuestra que sus decisiones apresuradas y algo imprudentes tienen la capacidad de salvar el día. La narración es trepidante, las aventuras no tienen límite, la superstición y la traición están a las órdenes. ¿Podrán nuestros héroes salir ilesos y regresar a casa con el tesoro? Existen varias adaptaciones cinematográficas sobre la obra original, continuaciones, precuelas y secuelas. ¿Vieron alguna? ¿Me recomienda alguna? Brindemos por otra aventura en alta mar, y una botella de ron, yo ho.
La novela inicia retomando el final de la original, mientras el doctor y el terrateniente invierten sus riquezas en acciones en la bolsa de valores y en multinacionales, Jim entierra parte de su tesoro desconfiando de la incipiente banca, cerca de su la aciaga posada del Almirante Bembow. La negra Diana entra como camarera de la posada, servicial, solícita y generosa, nunca despertará sospechas. Al poco tiempo arriban los piratas, saben que parte de la fortuna está enterrada y casi indefensa. Trelawney y Livesey pierden sus inversiones quedando en bancarrota, acuden a Jim para organizar una segunda expedición a la Isla de a Calavera, esta vez con hombres leales y honrados. Sin embargo, Silver y su banda de filibusteros logran colarse de polizones en la embarcación preparando el motín. Las escaramuzas inician más temprano que tarde, la batalla se vuelve sangrienta en la isla, la búsqueda encarnizada. Jim demuestra que sus decisiones apresuradas y algo imprudentes tienen la capacidad de salvar el día. La narración es trepidante, las aventuras no tienen límite, la superstición y la traición están a las órdenes. ¿Podrán nuestros héroes salir ilesos y regresar a casa con el tesoro? Existen varias adaptaciones cinematográficas sobre la obra original, continuaciones, precuelas y secuelas. ¿Vieron alguna? ¿Me recomienda alguna? Brindemos por otra aventura en alta mar, y una botella de ron, yo ho.
July 28, 2022
At that time, it truly did not seem possible that any set of circumstances could contrive to make me set sail again for any spot which I so cordially hated and dreaded. But at that time I had not realised the blessing of riches, nor had I seen my wealthy and affluent friends suddenly impoverished.
So back we went.
Having invested their fortunes into the South Seas Trading Company after the events of Treasure Island, the heroes of the previous story find themselves suddenly in terrible debt and poverty after they lose all in the "South Sea Bubble" of 1720. Thankfully, after returning home, young Jim Hawkins buried a small portion of his treasure (bizarrely) near the Admiral Benbow Inn and is able to outfit an expedition back to "Treasure Island," where "there is still treasure not yet lifted" in the hopes of restoring his friends from their plight. Thus begins Back to Treasure Island, an almost exact copy of Stevenson's original.
"Now," said the Squire, "at all costs we must avoid any repetition of our last experience."
Barring some creative liberties, this is a scene-by-scene rewrite. It hits every major plot point from the previous book with only slight alterations. They even sail to the island on the same ship. It's obvious enough that the characters themselves comment on it.
"None the less, I like not the looks of that cannon," continued the Squire with a laugh. "It is pointing almost right at us and is a bit too reminiscient of our last jolly-boat ride in this accursed spot, eh, Livesey?"
Written in the 1930's, it is interesting to see Calahan motivate the character's return to the island with a stock market crash. Truly, the mood of the period may be written on every page; one of the reasons Hawkins serendipitously buries part of his money is his "fear of bankers." The book drags heavily in many areas and isn't quite the youthful adventure Stevenson produced, despite bringing back the majority of his characters. Silver is still treacherous, there is still treasure to be discovered, and pirate hi-jinks ensue their arrival to the island.
I didn't dislike it, though seeing the scenes progress in parallel with the original eliminated any possibility of surprise, despite my holdout for some form of twist. Also, Calahan was a naval man, which is obvious by his prose. Truly, there may be as much naval banter in this as in Patrick O'Brian. The oddity here, however, is that it's young Jim Hawkins spinning a salty dictionary; a strange thing considering the young landsman was but an innkeeper prior to his single adventure as "ship's boy" aboard the "Hispaniola."
Further concerns: the characters make rather strange, uncharacteristic choices, particularly Jim Hawkins; Calahan unsuccessfully tries to balance overt children's literature with intense pulp adventure (including torture); and the story is much too bloated for its own good. Not a terrible read, truly; some of the final scenes include sudden and stunning imagery; but not one that carries with it the full top sails of adventure inherent in its predecessor. Ultimately, it's a rather silly and mediocre addition to the speculative Treasure Island "saga."
'Tis but a leeward breeze to Stephenson's commanding "weather gage."
Surely, I thought, it would have been enough to have financed this expedition without coming to the island in person.
So back we went.
Having invested their fortunes into the South Seas Trading Company after the events of Treasure Island, the heroes of the previous story find themselves suddenly in terrible debt and poverty after they lose all in the "South Sea Bubble" of 1720. Thankfully, after returning home, young Jim Hawkins buried a small portion of his treasure (bizarrely) near the Admiral Benbow Inn and is able to outfit an expedition back to "Treasure Island," where "there is still treasure not yet lifted" in the hopes of restoring his friends from their plight. Thus begins Back to Treasure Island, an almost exact copy of Stevenson's original.
"Now," said the Squire, "at all costs we must avoid any repetition of our last experience."
Barring some creative liberties, this is a scene-by-scene rewrite. It hits every major plot point from the previous book with only slight alterations. They even sail to the island on the same ship. It's obvious enough that the characters themselves comment on it.
"None the less, I like not the looks of that cannon," continued the Squire with a laugh. "It is pointing almost right at us and is a bit too reminiscient of our last jolly-boat ride in this accursed spot, eh, Livesey?"
Written in the 1930's, it is interesting to see Calahan motivate the character's return to the island with a stock market crash. Truly, the mood of the period may be written on every page; one of the reasons Hawkins serendipitously buries part of his money is his "fear of bankers." The book drags heavily in many areas and isn't quite the youthful adventure Stevenson produced, despite bringing back the majority of his characters. Silver is still treacherous, there is still treasure to be discovered, and pirate hi-jinks ensue their arrival to the island.
I didn't dislike it, though seeing the scenes progress in parallel with the original eliminated any possibility of surprise, despite my holdout for some form of twist. Also, Calahan was a naval man, which is obvious by his prose. Truly, there may be as much naval banter in this as in Patrick O'Brian. The oddity here, however, is that it's young Jim Hawkins spinning a salty dictionary; a strange thing considering the young landsman was but an innkeeper prior to his single adventure as "ship's boy" aboard the "Hispaniola."
Further concerns: the characters make rather strange, uncharacteristic choices, particularly Jim Hawkins; Calahan unsuccessfully tries to balance overt children's literature with intense pulp adventure (including torture); and the story is much too bloated for its own good. Not a terrible read, truly; some of the final scenes include sudden and stunning imagery; but not one that carries with it the full top sails of adventure inherent in its predecessor. Ultimately, it's a rather silly and mediocre addition to the speculative Treasure Island "saga."
'Tis but a leeward breeze to Stephenson's commanding "weather gage."
Surely, I thought, it would have been enough to have financed this expedition without coming to the island in person.
November 16, 2015
real good writing
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews