The Story of the Treasure Seekers
by Edith Nesbit
'The Story of the Treasure Seekers' Summary
The six Bastable children are plunged into grief when their mother dies and their father's business partner cheats him of all his money. As a result, he loses not only his fortune but also his good name. However, the children decide to lend a hand. Determined to restore both, the children set out to find some way of making money. A variety of amusing and exciting events follow as they plunge into a series of scrapes in search of a legendary lost treasure.
Published in 1899, The Story of the Treasure Seekers by E Nesbit was her first children's novel. It has had an immense influence on children's literature and was reputedly JK Rowling's favorite children's book. Others like CS Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia) and many other British and American writers were inspired by The Story of the Treasure Seekers. Told from a child's point of view, the style is witty, amusing and interesting, making it the ideal read-aloud book for both parents and children.
One of the interesting aspects of the book is that it is narrated by one of the children, but readers find out which one only towards the end. This child is priggish, arrogant and not always very smart, making his lofty observations and pronouncements even more funny as the reader can see through them quite easily!
As with much of Victorian literature, there is plenty in the book that seems dated today. Additionally, E Nesbit's passionate interest in the Socialist ideology that she and her husband Hubert Bland espoused are subtly yet surely inserted into the conversations and plot of The Story of the Treasure Seekers. However, far from being a dull and depressing tale of do-gooder kids, the novel is often hilariously funny as the children cook up various Quixotic schemes to make money. The child narrator's voice is itself a piece of subversive humor, as he feels he is the smartest, most powerful person around, hurtling the children into various predicaments. They try speculation, becoming detectives, entering a writing competition among other zany adventures. All through, it is their courage, determination and sense of honor that shine through.
The story has been successfully adapted to stage, screen and television several times. If you haven't encountered this children's classic yet, it's a riveting, droll read with an underlying message for those who would like to read between the lines!
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
1899Author
Edith Nesbit
England
Edith Nesbit was an English author and poet; she published her books for children under the name of E. Nesbit. She wrote or collaborated on more than 60 books of children's literature. She was also a...
More on Edith NesbitDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
The Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Published in 1915, The Scarecrow of Oz is the ninth book in the Oz book series and focuses on the adventures of Cap’n Bill, Trot, and the Scarecrow, w...
Moo Cow Tales by Rosamund Edith Nesbit Bland
Embark on a whimsical journey through the enchanting world of "Moo Cow Tales" by Rosamund Edith Nesbit Bland. This delightful collection of stories br...
Tom Swift and His Sky Racer by Victor Appleton
Tom Swift and His Sky Racer, or, The Speediest Flight on Record, is Volume 9 in the original Tom Swift novel series published by Grosset & Dunlap.
The Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat
The Children of the New Forest is a children's novel published in 1847 by Frederick Marryat. It is set in the time of the English Civil War and the Co...
Bannertail: The Story of a Graysquirrel by Ernest Thompson Seton
In the heart of an enchanting forest, a tale of courage, friendship, and the wonders of nature unfolds. "Bannertail: The Story of a Graysquirrel" by E...
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Montgomery’s literary classic recounts the exciting adventures undertaken by the fiery eleven-year-old Anne Shirley, an orphan girl accidentally adopt...
Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Anne of Avonlea was published in 1909, immediately after the first book. It contains several of the characters present in the previous book, so reader...
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Understood Betsy is a 1916 novel for children by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. The story tells of Elizabeth Ann, a 9-year-old orphan who goes from a shelte...
Ivan the Fool by Leo Tolstoy
"Ivan the Fool" (also known as "Ivan the Fool and his Two Brothers") is an 1886 short story (in fact, a literary fairy tale) by Leo Tolstoy, published...
Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Ozma of Oz: A Record of Her Adventures with Dorothy Gale of Kansas, Billina the Yellow Hen, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, , the Cowardly Lion and th...
Reviews for The Story of the Treasure Seekers
No reviews posted or approved, yet...