Shiver me Timbers, Long John Silver is back in a sequel to Treasure Island You might have thought Long John Silver's story was done at the end of the Treasure Island. Swedish writer Bjorn Larsson had other ideas though as he found more piracy to mine in his sequel Long John Silver and Tyneside Book Club members enjoyed his return to the High Seas in May's meeting.
Most members were familiar with the basic plot of Treasure Island but only a minority had actually read the Robert Louis Stevenson original.
That did not prove to be a barrier though for members who agreed they enjoyed Long John Silver for its own qualities. Those who had read the Stevenson adventure feel they gained extra pleasure from the references back to the characters and events from the novel, but agreed it was still possible to enjoy the voyage without any prior knowledge.
The novel took the form of a memoir related by the pirate as his life neared an end. Members enjoyed the origin story of his turn to piracy, though it took a little time to get a handle on the fractured timeline used by Larsson.
Members felt Larsson had retained the qualities and blemishes that made Silver such a compelling character, but added more complexity and texture by exploring his life before the Stevenson novel.
There were some great set pieces, which felt authentic and well-researched. Larsson had also taken the opportunity to explore the deeper causes of piracy and its culture. The novel also put Silver in his historical context as a character in the dying days of buccaneering.
Some did feel the novel was on the long side, and might have benefited from editing to maintain its momentum, but this was a minor quibble as all agreed Larsson had delivered both entertainment and insight.
There was some discussion about Larsson's treatment of slavery. Its inclusion in the book was welcomed by members. Silver did appear as a white saviour, but that was consistent with a narration which was bent on self-justification. The novel certainly did not shy away from Silver's dark side and his concentration on his own survival above all else.
Some felt the final events lacked a little plausibility, but those familiar with Treasure Island enjoyed the references back and the sense that Silver was bent on settling scores.
Overall, members very much enjoyed Silver's return and were slightly surprised the book had largely disappeared from view after its positive reception on publication in the 1990s. Nobody though quite felt the need to toast the choice with grog.
Most members were familiar with the basic plot of Treasure Island but only a minority had actually read the Robert Louis Stevenson original.
That did not prove to be a barrier though for members who agreed they enjoyed Long John Silver for its own qualities. Those who had read the Stevenson adventure feel they gained extra pleasure from the references back to the characters and events from the novel, but agreed it was still possible to enjoy the voyage without any prior knowledge.
The novel took the form of a memoir related by the pirate as his life neared an end. Members enjoyed the origin story of his turn to piracy, though it took a little time to get a handle on the fractured timeline used by Larsson.
Members felt Larsson had retained the qualities and blemishes that made Silver such a compelling character, but added more complexity and texture by exploring his life before the Stevenson novel.
There were some great set pieces, which felt authentic and well-researched. Larsson had also taken the opportunity to explore the deeper causes of piracy and its culture. The novel also put Silver in his historical context as a character in the dying days of buccaneering.
Some did feel the novel was on the long side, and might have benefited from editing to maintain its momentum, but this was a minor quibble as all agreed Larsson had delivered both entertainment and insight.
There was some discussion about Larsson's treatment of slavery. Its inclusion in the book was welcomed by members. Silver did appear as a white saviour, but that was consistent with a narration which was bent on self-justification. The novel certainly did not shy away from Silver's dark side and his concentration on his own survival above all else.
Some felt the final events lacked a little plausibility, but those familiar with Treasure Island enjoyed the references back and the sense that Silver was bent on settling scores.
Overall, members very much enjoyed Silver's return and were slightly surprised the book had largely disappeared from view after its positive reception on publication in the 1990s. Nobody though quite felt the need to toast the choice with grog.
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