Treasure Island Treasure Island Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "buccaneers and buried gold". Its influence is enormous on popular perceptions of pirates, including such elements as treasure maps marked with an "X", schooners, the Black Spot, tropical islands, and one-legged seamen bearing parrots on their shoulders. "Treasure Island" was originally considered a coming-of-age story and is noted for its atmosphere, characters, and action. It is one of the most frequently dramatized of all novels. It was originally serialized in the children's magazine "Young Folks" from 1881 through 1882 under the title
Jim Hawkins and the Curse of Treasure Island is unable to speak or see, but discovers that he is on board the black brig, commanded by Maltby. He identifies himself as Mills, an assay clerk sent to value the silver left behind on the island. The ship enters port on a nearby coast, where Jim is given into the case of Dr Ballantyne. When he is sufficiently recovered, Jim explains his story to the doctor, who takes him to visit his neighbour, Long John Silver, now living in comfort in a fine villa. Jim, Silver and Ballantyne join the ship and return to Treasure Island. Jim contrives to