Cover art for the novel “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

At the ripe old age of seventy (soon to be seventy-one), I don’t believe I’ve read Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island before. It first appeared in book form in 1883 and before that, was serialized in a children’s magazine from 1881 to 1882 under the title “Treasure Island or the Mutiny of the Hispaniola.”

“Children’s literature” indeed since it describes more than one murder in somewhat grisly detail as well as the threat of torture, hangings, alcoholism, and dismemberment.

Truth be told, I picked it up (figuratively speaking) because I’m interested in authoring a book for an open submission requesting adventure novels written specifically for boys. Not only that, but a boy (probably about age ten) must be an active participant in the story if not the main protagonist.

Stevenson’s classic novel was suggested as an inspiration. Since it is open domain, it’s a free download (available for purchase as well if you want all the bells and whistles) in a variety of formats.

Like other 19th century novels, it’s not written in a way that’s always easy for the modern reader. There are times when it rambles and winds its way toward its ultimate conclusion along several unlikely paths.

The character Jim Hawkins, even for a boy, seems to behave in an erratic manner, at one point, impulsively jumping into a rowboat with known pirates and at another abandoning the relative safety of adult protectors for the wilds of a jungle island and then taking to sea in a homemade, barely floatable boat.

By more luck than skill (but in some cases, skill), he manages not only to survive but profit from his adventures. His dear mother who we see left behind at the beginning of his voyage is never mentioned upon his return (perhaps no news is good news) and we have a greater hint as to the fate of that scallywag Long John Silver than we do of her.

But it is a boy’s adventure story. True, it probably wouldn’t appeal to many boys in the 21st century (although my sixteen-year-old grandson said he’s read it), but they are the target audience (the use of English might make it difficult reading).

I have no doubt the current gatekeepers of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure would take a dim view of the book. Except for Jim’s mother, no females are mentioned let alone having any significant role in the drama. Everyone is an “Englishman,” which seems to be pinnacle of civilized humanity from the viewpoint of the characters therein, and Christians as well.

Near the end, when there is mention of people of color, it’s not in terms at all favorable in the western world of the 2020s. Then again, the story is a product of the late 19th century, but context doesn’t matter much to the aforementioned gatekeepers.

This is less of a review than a commentary, so pardon my soapbox speech. The reason for the submission call I previously referenced is the fact that adventure novels for boys are almost never written anymore.

I suppose the reason for this is that they used to be all over the place to the exclusion of other more “marginalized” populations. But in the finest tradition of inclusion and representation, instead of actually just including other people groups (girls, people of color, other gender populations), boys were replaced or rather deleted. Masculinity has been declared toxic, at least by some, and since boys grow to be men and men benefit from the dreaded patriarchy, anything promoting said-boys has been declared unfit for modern audiences.

I grew up watching (among other things) the animated adventures of Jonny Quest (1964-65) and still own the series on DVD. Imagine two eleven-year-old boys traveling around the world with a scientist Dad and an-all-but swashbuckling bodyguard (and a dog) fighting wild beasts, monsters, spirits, and spies. What a great way to grow up.

If anything’s wrong with boys today it’s that the “enlightened” world around them discourages them from having role models that espouse adventure, courage, and self-reliance.

“Treasure Island” is just one example of such a tale, and though I don’t plan to replicate it, I do intend on throwing my proverbial hat in the ring and write my own boys adventure novel between now and November.

I hope I do Jim Hawkins, Jonny Quest, and so many others who have been set aside for more “progressive” heroes justice. I’ll give it my best shot.