Classics > Robert Louis Stevenson Classics

Advantages: You may gain insight into a turbulent time in English History - the War of the Roses (white and red)
Disadvantages: It is not always easy to unravel who is on which side at which time; sentences can be long and complicated.

...it, just a bit, for the poor unsuspecting reader intent on a quick action thriller to while away an hour or two at a time. Robert Lewis Stevenson, like Charles Dickens, initially wrote many of his stories for weekly consumption as a serial (money was the driving force behind such). Perhaps the modern day equivalent would be weekly episodes of television programmes ~ but the book (or the weekly magazine) has the advantage of being subject to the ...
...of the reader's own choosing ~ and not pushed at you by a producer's prime-time scheduling ~ competing with dinner, homework and family time. When serialised for "Young Folks" magazine in 17 weekly instalments in 1883, the title was "The Black Arrow: A Tale Of Tunstall Forest" but this was changed when it was edited into book form ( five or six years later) to "The Black Arrow: A Tale Of The Two Roses" ~ Robert Lewis Stevenson himself considered ... Read review

Advantages: Ahead of its time
Disadvantages: Difficult to read because of old language

...a true classic. One of the most awe-inspiring books possibly ever written. I'm completely astounded at the futuristic views Stevenson had and how he could portray his views in such a cunning way. Stenvenson was extremely frowned upon for writing a book like this. His father, like the rest of Victorian England was a devout Christian, therefore the ideas that the book portrayed went completely against religion. the book subtly refers to Charles Darwins ...
...the ape that he is portrayed as and then turning back into Jekyll, the normal man. For this book to be written so long ago but show such futuristic views is astounding. Although, it has to be said that the ending of the book was obviously influenced by the pressure put upon Stevenson by his father. As we all know, the come uppance of Jekyll seems like a punishment for him 'playing God' and trying to alter the way humans live. This always shocks me ... Read review

Advantages: Adventure on the high seas, Pirates, Long John Silver, Coming of age
Disadvantages: Understanding Pirate Talk, Realisation you're parents deprived you of a good book

The story and adventure constantly come at you as though waves stretch across the golden sands of 'Treasure Island'. Coaxing you out into the blue horizon and reaching out towards the edge of the earth on the 'Hispaniola' to find out where the next chapter will take you. And you will not be disappointed, each chapter has a new turn of events which constantly keep you wanting more. The great ability of the book is keeping the characters alive in ...
...even hate them or love them. I particularly found the ability in conveying Long John Silver as the chaotically suave 'gentleman' that he is, very effective in generating my illicit need to be a pirate and go on many of his previous adventures of which my imagination takes me. The method of writing, and including the smallest and insignificant of details, is able to spin the image of the grand docks or of the island itself in the centre of your minds ... Read review

Advantages: fantastic storyline
Disadvantages: none

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry" A story by John Steinbeck of friendship between 2 migrant ranch workers who have nobody but eachother, fighting to survive in great depression era California. Out on their own after having to leave their last home due to the accident proneness of Lennie Small, who, though extremely strong, has no way to control it, due to having a mental age of a young child. It is up to George, a quick witted ...
...for work for them to be able to live and eat. An apparent change of luck finds them with work and a roof over their heads but unfortunate events causes their luck to run out. An emotional tale with an ending to melt even the strongest of peoples hearts..... ... Read review

Advantages: Discover a great story of friendship and hardship
Disadvantages: Read it and you will know

...book is about the struggles of two very contrasting yet likeable charactors in the duo George and Lennie. They are two out of work and out of luck men in the depression period in the USA. They do everything together, work eat sleep everything. They even share the same dream of owning their own ranch where they can work for themselves. A thoroughly enjoyable book which I am glad that I bought, definitely surprised me more than once and especially ... Read review