Book Anatomy · Treasure Island
Treasure Island: Commercial facts
13 lenses on commercial facts for Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. Count lenses are exact for our text. AI lenses are our reading and cite only quotes that passed a word for word check.
Jump to: L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8 L9 L10 L11 L12 L13
L1. Total word count. Count
1883, 68,669 words. See the full lens on the book page.
L2. Chapter count and average length. Count
1883, 68,669 words. See the full lens on the book page.
L3. Length against modern norms for the genre. Both
68,669 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
At 68,669 words, Treasure Island is moderate length for adventure fiction. It is shorter than modern fantasy epics but longer than contemporary thrillers. The length suits the plot: enough space for character and suspense, not so much that pacing drags.
L4. First published as a serial or a volume? Research
1883, 68,669 words. See the full lens on the book page.
Facts from outside the text (sales, serial history, adaptations, sequels, most quoted lines). Coming in a later phase, with sources and dates.
L5. Serial instalment breaks and how each ends. Both
The book was serialised in Young Folks magazine (1881 to 1882) in weekly instalments. Part breaks occur at c7 (voyage begins), c13 (shore adventure), c16 (stockade), c22 (sea adventure). Each part ends on a cliffhanger or revelation to sustain reader interest.
Chapters: Ch 7, Ch 13, Ch 16, Ch 22
L6. Sales and reviews in its day. Research
Facts from outside the text (sales, serial history, adaptations, sequels, most quoted lines). Coming in a later phase, with sources and dates.
L7. Adaptations: film, TV, stage, count and type. Research
Facts from outside the text (sales, serial history, adaptations, sequels, most quoted lines). Coming in a later phase, with sources and dates.
L8. Sequels and series. Research
Facts from outside the text (sales, serial history, adaptations, sequels, most quoted lines). Coming in a later phase, with sources and dates.
L9. Modern books in the same mould (comps). AI
Modern comps: The Goonies (1985) shares the adventure-and-treasure plot. Percy Jackson series shares the young protagonist and mentor figures. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo shares the heist plot and morally grey antagonist. All prioritise action and character over world-building.
L10. Who it would be shelved for today. AI
Today it would be shelved as Young Adult Adventure or Middle Grade Adventure (ages 10 to 16), though the violence and moral ambiguity suit older teens. It appeals to readers of action-driven fantasy and historical adventure. The first-person voice and pacing suit reluctant readers.
L11. Content notes. AI
Content notes: violence (stabbing, shooting, death), mutiny and betrayal, alcohol use, period-typical attitudes. No sexual content. Suitable for ages 10 and up with parental guidance; recommended for ages 12 and up.
L12. A modern pitch line and blurb. AI
When a mysterious sea-dog arrives at a quiet inn with a treasure map, young Jim Hawkins is drawn into a voyage to find buried riches. But the ship's crew harbours a mutiny, and Jim must use his wits to survive betrayal, danger, and the secrets of Treasure Island.
L13. Title style against genre norms. AI
The title is direct and simple, naming the goal and setting. It avoids metaphor or wordplay, fitting the adventure genre's tradition of clear, action-focused titles. It echoes other adventure titles like Robinson Crusoe and The Count of Monte Cristo.
Ask Treasure Island a question about its craft (free beta)
Answers cite chapter and paragraph, and every quote is checked against the text. (3 free questions a day).
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