Hi, Michael. Although there is not much overlap between your reading taste and mine, some of my favorite words on BookTube are, “Roger and I have returned!” I always appreciate your knowledge, enthusiasm, charm, and wit-not to mention Roger’s classic good looks! Thanks for brightening up my days.👍🏼
Hola, Michael! Great video! Mr. Stevenson's "Strange Case..." sure is great! It's such an excellent exploration into the battling drives of the human psyche: those base and carnal, violent urges, versus the noble pursuits, and it's really a fast read, as well. And "Kidnapped" and "Treasure Island" -- so good!! Thanks for bringing him to the fore again!
Not sure if that book has it ? But there is a classic Very Funny story by RLS called The Wrong Box. They a also made movie of it . The movie is also great and hilarious.
One of my very favorite writers.I finished watching the tv show "Black Sails" recently, and I am now re-reading "Treasure Island." I was gifted a copy of "Travels with a Donkey" for Christmas, so I'll be reading that very soon.
Thank you for bringing up this book - this is the same edition I have. He deserves to be read more today. Richard Holmes did his take on "Travels with a Donkey.." which was well done.
I'm a big Stevenson fan! I have an ancient copy of "The Merry Men" I've been meaning to read. And I have just started reading "Treasure Island" for the first time---yes, the first time! And I'm about as old as Roger!
I bought my niece's son Treasure Island for his birthday. I don't know if it will ever get read but I do hope so. I loved that book when I was a kid The Black Arrow was my favorite by him. I still occasionally re-read it today.. I hope people can find his works again. You would think with Treasure Island being adapted into movies and mini series more people would remember him.
I did read Treasure Island and Jekyll/Hyde a few months ago, but you’ve gotten me curious about his travel essays. First hand historical accounts preserve what it was like before fast and easy travel and telecommunication homogenized much of the world.
Love Stevenson. We have here collected stories and some novels in other editions. I am interested in essays and notes from his travelings, but it's probably impossible to find. In Belgrade, people love this writer. We even have an edition of his best horror stories in Serbia. Both that book a couple of months ago. Also, read all his short stories. Borges loved Stevenson's prose also. Happy holidays, Michael and Roger.
Definitely a great, great author. Treasure Island we read in school, probably the only book everyone enjoyed reading when mandatory. But my favorite is without a doubt, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. That book made me pursue literature as a degree due to how interesting and enjoyable it was. I think he is not read much because his politics were different as he was a man of his time. Still, that never would decrease my appreciation of his craftsmanship!
One of my favorite writers of all time. Treasure Island was the first "adult book" I ever read. I am rereading Master of Ballantrae for 2025. South Sea Tales has a lot of innovative and progressive ideas, was one of the first examples of magical realism, and his real life in the Pacific as part of his TB "cure" is even more interesting. But his horror stories are outstanding. The Sire De Malétroit's Door was made into a Boris Karloff movie called The Strange Door which scared the hell out of me as a kid. And of course, Dr. J and Mr. H is my second favorite horror story. Just under Varney!
I read South Pacific Tales recently which is Oxford collection of his 3 short books and some extras. My library has a collection of his non fiction travel books, but I havent yet located them on the shelves :)
I just read Treasure Island for the first time since high school last week. Not my favorite of his work, but it was still a lot of fun! I think it's a shame that Stevenson wasn't able to lean more into horror. He was great at it.
I was watching this and something clicked in my brain. I am not sure if I've read any books/stories from RLS. I do remember I used to pronounce it in my head as, "Louise", until adulthood. I have no idea why. But I remembered the children's book, A Children's Garden of Verses. It lives buried in my winter stuff drawer. The name on it says, "A TELL-A-TALE BOOK." I have a copy from my kindergarten teacher... from 1974. THAT THING IS 50 YEARS OLD! "I'm OLD!" /Jamie Lee Curtis
Not just his fiction, which is insanely great. BUt his travel writing is terrific. His essays are also amazing. Hell, his children's poetry is also fabulous.
I actually just read Stevenson for the first time recently when I read Treasure Island and then Kidnapped. Maybe I should try to get a collection like you have that my kids may rummage through when they’re older.
I have a Barnes & Noble omnibus edition of Robert Louis Stevenson that includes Kidnapped, along with Treasure Island, Weir of Hermiston, The Black Arrow, and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. However, it doesn't have any of his shorter works. I do like The Black Arrow, maybe a bit better than you do, likely because I read it right after Treasure Island and enjoyed both books and went on to read his other novels. I do agree with you that Stevenson is being forgotten as an author, outside of Treasure Island and Doctor Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. Makes me wonder when people see a movie adaptation of the latter even know it was taken from Stevenson's story.
Waiting for LORD OF THUNDER to be on book of the week!! I didn't know he wrote the suicide club.....I've heard two different radio adaptations of that story!!
Hello Michael! If a person reads Kidnapped, then they should also read Catriona which is a sequel to and immediately picks up where Kidnapped left off. Have a great day!
Oh what calumny! To have the work of a Master reduced to a “recommendation”. A recommendation made by so hirsute a mere acolyte. Fate I must faint at such travesty!
You like that Great Tales of the Supernatural so you really should let your followers know what you think of the Complete Short Stories of Arthur Conan (CONAN!) Doyle. I'm not talking (TOLKEIN!) about his Sherlock Holmes books.
Have you actually tried to read Thrawn Janet? Much of it is written in phonetic Scottish dialect. I found it hard going. I suspect you'd find it even harder.
In your opinion is a book considered better when it is influential or better when it is a “good” book? Or does it really just boil down to personal opinion?
Yeh RLS was kinda crazy, he even visited Australia quite regularly, no really he did. Didnt help his writing, probably made it worse actually 🤭 I'm not a fan. 🤭
RLS has been kind of hit and miss for me. I understand how influential his work was, but while his work is important to literature, I did not always enjoy it. Treasure Island is my favorite though.
Hi, Michael. Although there is not much overlap between your reading taste and mine, some of my favorite words on BookTube are, “Roger and I have returned!” I always appreciate your knowledge, enthusiasm, charm, and wit-not to mention Roger’s classic good looks! Thanks for brightening up my days.👍🏼
I was just thinking about reading more RLS this year. Nice timing. I love the way you turn to Roger for affirmation as you talk. Lol
Hola, Michael! Great video! Mr. Stevenson's "Strange Case..." sure is great! It's such an excellent exploration into the battling drives of the human psyche: those base and carnal, violent urges, versus the noble pursuits, and it's really a fast read, as well. And "Kidnapped" and "Treasure Island" -- so good!! Thanks for bringing him to the fore again!
Not sure if that book has it ? But there is a classic Very Funny story by RLS called The Wrong Box. They a also made movie of it . The movie is also great and hilarious.
One of my very favorite writers.I finished watching the tv show "Black Sails" recently, and I am now re-reading "Treasure Island." I was gifted a copy of "Travels with a Donkey" for Christmas, so I'll be reading that very soon.
I remember enjoying Kidnapped in Middle School. Stumbled upon it in the library
Thank you for bringing up this book - this is the same edition I have.
He deserves to be read more today. Richard Holmes did his take on "Travels with a Donkey.." which was well done.
I'm a big Stevenson fan! I have an ancient copy of "The Merry Men" I've been meaning to read. And I have just started reading "Treasure Island" for the first time---yes, the first time! And I'm about as old as Roger!
I bought my niece's son Treasure Island for his birthday. I don't know if it will ever get read but I do hope so. I loved that book when I was a kid The Black Arrow was my favorite by him. I still occasionally re-read it today.. I hope people can find his works again. You would think with Treasure Island being adapted into movies and mini series more people would remember him.
I did read Treasure Island and Jekyll/Hyde a few months ago, but you’ve gotten me curious about his travel essays. First hand historical accounts preserve what it was like before fast and easy travel and telecommunication homogenized much of the world.
You might also enjoy Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck if you haven't read it before.
I’ll check it out. Thanks for the rec!
Love Stevenson. We have here collected stories and some novels in other editions. I am interested in essays and notes from his travelings, but it's probably impossible to find. In Belgrade, people love this writer. We even have an edition of his best horror stories in Serbia. Both that book a couple of months ago. Also, read all his short stories. Borges loved Stevenson's prose also. Happy holidays, Michael and Roger.
Definitely a great, great author. Treasure Island we read in school, probably the only book everyone enjoyed reading when mandatory.
But my favorite is without a doubt, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. That book made me pursue literature as a degree due to how interesting and enjoyable it was.
I think he is not read much because his politics were different as he was a man of his time. Still, that never would decrease my appreciation of his craftsmanship!
One of my favorite writers of all time. Treasure Island was the first "adult book" I ever read. I am rereading Master of Ballantrae for 2025. South Sea Tales has a lot of innovative and progressive ideas, was one of the first examples of magical realism, and his real life in the Pacific as part of his TB "cure" is even more interesting. But his horror stories are outstanding. The Sire De Malétroit's Door was made into a Boris Karloff movie called The Strange Door which scared the hell out of me as a kid. And of course, Dr. J and Mr. H is my second favorite horror story. Just under Varney!
I read South Pacific Tales recently which is Oxford collection of his 3 short books and some extras. My library has a collection of his non fiction travel books, but I havent yet located them on the shelves :)
“Kidnapped” is a wonderful novel. Everyone should read it. It’s very Scottish. 👍
RLS is one of my favorite authors, I've liked almost everything I've read by him. I still need to read the sequel to Kidnapped!
Catriona.
I LOVE Robert Louis Stevenson!
I just read Treasure Island for the first time since high school last week. Not my favorite of his work, but it was still a lot of fun! I think it's a shame that Stevenson wasn't able to lean more into horror. He was great at it.
The Master of Ballantrae
Roger can read them for free.
Virginia Woolf failed to appreciate RLS. Woe is she!
I was watching this and something clicked in my brain. I am not sure if I've read any books/stories from RLS. I do remember I used to pronounce it in my head as, "Louise", until adulthood. I have no idea why.
But I remembered the children's book, A Children's Garden of Verses. It lives buried in my winter stuff drawer. The name on it says, "A TELL-A-TALE BOOK." I have a copy from my kindergarten teacher... from 1974. THAT THING IS 50 YEARS OLD!
"I'm OLD!"
/Jamie Lee Curtis
I’m currently (paused for a few months) reading The Black Arrow, really enjoying it.
On the last Friday of the year, I guess I was expecting you to review Daniel Defoe's ROBINSON CRUSOE . . .
Not just his fiction, which is insanely great. BUt his travel writing is terrific. His essays are also amazing. Hell, his children's poetry is also fabulous.
I actually just read Stevenson for the first time recently when I read Treasure Island and then Kidnapped. Maybe I should try to get a collection like you have that my kids may rummage through when they’re older.
I have a Barnes & Noble omnibus edition of Robert Louis Stevenson that includes Kidnapped, along with Treasure Island, Weir of Hermiston, The Black Arrow, and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. However, it doesn't have any of his shorter works. I do like The Black Arrow, maybe a bit better than you do, likely because I read it right after Treasure Island and enjoyed both books and went on to read his other novels. I do agree with you that Stevenson is being forgotten as an author, outside of Treasure Island and Doctor Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. Makes me wonder when people see a movie adaptation of the latter even know it was taken from Stevenson's story.
I read Travels with a Donkey years ago, but remember it being very entertaining.
Waiting for LORD OF THUNDER to be on book of the week!!
I didn't know he wrote the suicide club.....I've heard two different radio adaptations of that story!!
Hello Michael! If a person reads Kidnapped, then they should also read Catriona which is a sequel to and immediately picks up where Kidnapped left off. Have a great day!
Thrawn Janet and Markheim great stories. I plan on getting to More New Arabian Nights and Black Arrow in 2025.😊
Only read Treasure Island and loved it.
Oh what calumny! To have the work of a Master reduced to a “recommendation”. A recommendation made by so hirsute a mere acolyte. Fate I must faint at such travesty!
You like that Great Tales of the Supernatural so you really should let your followers know
what you think of the Complete Short Stories of Arthur Conan (CONAN!) Doyle.
I'm not talking (TOLKEIN!) about his Sherlock Holmes books.
My favorite RLS work is his essay, "The Lantern Bearers." Check it out!
RLS was working on a sequel to J&H called "The Somewhat Familiar Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." But it was too formulaic.
Wow! RLS The New Arabian Nights
A big book, you say? 😜
Have you actually tried to read Thrawn Janet? Much of it is written in phonetic Scottish dialect. I found it hard going. I suspect you'd find it even harder.
In your opinion is a book considered better when it is influential or better when it is a “good” book? Or does it really just boil down to personal opinion?
Yeh RLS was kinda crazy, he even visited Australia quite regularly, no really he did. Didnt help his writing, probably made it worse actually 🤭 I'm not a fan. 🤭
RLS has been kind of hit and miss for me. I understand how influential his work was, but while his work is important to literature, I did not always enjoy it. Treasure Island is my favorite though.