Treasure Island

Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson, 311 pages

I realized that the only version of Treasure Island or A Christmas Carol that I was really familiar with were both the Muppet versions... so I am attempting to change that.  Step one was reading the original Treasure Island.  And while it shouldn't be hard to imagine, seeing as it's a classic and all, this book actually stands up to the test of time (mostly).  Young Jim Hawkins finds himself in possession of a treasure map- and there the seafaring and pirate adventure begins.  It's interesting to read this and realize how many current pirate tropes truly originated in this one work- sort of like reading Dracula and realizing its long-lasting effects.  There are quite a bit of nautical and ship terms thrown about that my eyes kind of glazed over in response to, but this is an approachable work of classic fiction for those looking to read an older book.  Also, it's one of those that you can read for free via Project Gutenberg (which is where I read it, so this book cover and pages are an approximation made courtesy of goodreads).

Under the Wide and Starry Sky

Under the Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy Horan 474 Pages

Horan returns to historical fiction with this novel about the relationship between writer Robert Louis Stevenson and Fanny Van de Grift Osbourne. Fanny has traveled to Europe with her 3 children to study art, but more to escape her philandering husband.  In her travels she meets Robert Louis Stevenson and the book fleshes out their relationship until Stevenson's death at 44.   Presented in a dual narrative, each character presents their history and from a factual point of view it is interesting.

The book is uneven in its character development of the two and we are often left wanting more emotional attachment to Fanny and RLS.  Horan fails to bring the couple to life completely.