The Swiss Family Robinson (Signet Classics)
by Johann D. Wyss
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Book Summary Information
Author: Johann D. WyssIntroduction: J. Hillis Miller
Afterword: Elizabeth Janeway
Edition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-12-07
ISBN: 0451529618
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Signet Classics
Book Reviews of The Swiss Family Robinson (Signet Classics)
Book Review: Reads almost like a naturalist's encyclopedia...
Summary: 4 Stars
A Swiss family sets out with others to found a new colony, and instead is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island, the sole survivors. This book chronicles the adventures on the island of the parents and their four boys.
Each chapter provides the opportunity for them to discover some novel animal, or some amazingly versatile plant, or make some new invention. Now, it's true these animals and plants all exist, but not all on the same island. It goes well beyond the bounds of credulity. Each discovery also results in the reciting of a veritable encylopedia entry of information. I end up skimming, as it gets tiring to me, especially without a picture to see what they're talking about. Now, note that my 8 yo son (6th grade reading level) would disagree as he *loves* this book.
There are references to God's providence, and prayer, and moral virtues, which is a plus to me. At the end, there are too many amazing coincidences to bring the story to a nice pretty conclusion.
As the book nears its end, the author skips ahead in the future, skipping over many occurrences:
"Having given a detailed account of several years' residence in New Switzerland, as we liked to call our dominion, it is needless for me to continue what would exhaust the patience of the most long-suffering, by repeating monotonous narratives of exploring parties and hunting expeditions, wearisome descriptions of awkward inventions and clumsy machines, with an endless record of discoveries, more fit for the pages of an encylcopedia than a book of family history."
Um, it's way too late to avoid that, at least in my book; my patience was exhausted a long time ago. I have no need to read this book again, and this from someone who has repeatedly read Animal Farm by George Orwell, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Jane Austen books, and other classics. But, obviously it appeals to some, and hey, my son is learning good things as he reads it for the 4th time, even if I don't understand the appeal.
Summary of The Swiss Family Robinson (Signet Classics)
Swept off course by a raging storm, a Swiss pastor, his wife, and four young sons are shipwrecked on an uncharted tropical island. Thus begins the classic story of survival and adventure that has fired the imaginations of readers since it first appeared in 1812.
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