One of the most gripping books I've read in a long while. Short chapters, beautifully written characters and plot twists that kept me on my toes. I think the best aspect though is the way the mental images have stayed with me. I can still see Jim Hawkins hiding in the apple barrel or sailing the Hispaniola around the northern tip of the island. Of course there's a map at the beginning and I'm a sucker for a book with a map.
My only gripe was that the version I read had an introduction by Eoin Colfer which was a bit of a spoiler. I'm trying to make myself read introductions as sometimes they add an extra depth to a story that you may not otherwise see (at least not at the speed I read). However Eoin discussed at least two moments of intense atmosphere in the book, which when I got there were not as atmospheric as promised. Inevitable I suppose as rarely is anything as good as the hype. On reflection though, the atmosphere stayed with me so maybe he was right after all.
I did particularly like the end notes in the same edition (probably aimed at schools and those teenage boys in particular) with a tour of the Hispaniola and suggestions to make up pirate names for my friends. The obvious way in which this book is the basis for every pirate story every created since is also not lost.
