Treasure Island

August 31, 2009
Tim Gregory captures the essence of this classic coming-of-age tale featuring villainous buccaneers, buried treasure, murder, treachery and adventure on the high seas. We follow the exploits of young Jim Hawkins along his voyage for treasure aboard the Hispaniola
to his showdown with the villain Long John Silver on Treasure Island. Gregory introduces a host of uniquely rendered characters, with Silver and his pirates matching wits and weapons with Hawkins and his comrades as they battle for control of Treasure Island and a share of Captain Flint's long lost treasure. Gregory's rendering of the iconic characters—particularly the duplicitous Silver and the marooned and raving Ben Gunn—are nuanced, true to the text and utterly enjoyable. He avoids the easy clichés of the pirate genre and instead portrays complex characters in a performance that will delight listeners of all ages.

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. 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 midrange 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, convincing us (and young Jim) that he is a good man through a sincere-sounding delivery. Lads and lasses and scalawags everywhere should "sail ho" and listen to this classic adventure! L.M. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine


Renowned narrator/storyteller Jim Weiss presents two productions for the younger set. Tell Me a Story! is a collection of adaptations of seven well-known favorites, such as "The Bremen Town Musicians," "Goldilocks," and "The Little Red Hen," that will appeal to listeners in preschool through second grade. Treasure Island is an adaptation of the Stevenson classic, geared more toward older school-age children. Weiss is a talented and deservedly respected narrator. His voice is versatile in reading dialogue and expressive with narration. He infuses his performances with energy, enthusiasm, and expressiveness. Such a talent makes for an enjoyable listening experience for all. M.T.F. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine