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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
DNF @ 48% I had read reviews that were complaining about the fact that these guys spend pretty much the whole book hunting, but I swear, these guys were seriously lucky that they shipwrecked on an impossibly well stocked island because they would have depopulated an island that had an animal population that actually fit the ecology in about 10 days. And when they weren't killing the animals, they were "taming" them. Seriously, I mentally banged my head against the wall when they started using a buffalo for pulling loads. Puh-leez! I gave up before the tigers and elephants were supposed to show up but it was already beyond absurd. And the father must have been a botanist or something because he knew every single plant that they found, even though they were plants from the four corners of the earth. And penguins and kangaroos on the same island!!! It's Austrailarctica!!! What it is is crap. But Guidall's narration was good.
Johann David Wyss (1743 - 1818) was a Swiss pastor who wanted to teach his sons specific character strengths, including self-reliance. Wyss died leaving a disjointed collection of stories. The book was arranged and completed by Wyss's son Johann Rudolf Wyss (1781 – 1830).
The main character is a pastor who with his family were on their way to New Guinea when a storm over took their ship. They become stranded on a deserted island, but after devising ways to remove the animals and every useful item from the ship, they recreate civilization.
Since its initial publication in 1812 it has been translated and rewritten many times and was the basis for a Disney film and a television series.
I read the book several times when a girl and loved the Disney movie. Overall, this is a can do, positive, upbeat book. The characters never met a disaster or crisis they cannot handle. They seem to have read every book ever written on exploration, primitive cultures and their material world and industry, and every book on flora and fauna of the known universe.
Among the prickly stalks of the cactus and aloes, I perceived a plant with large pointed leaves, which I knew to be the karata. I pointed out to the boys its beautiful red flowers; the leaves are an excellent application to wounds, and thread is made from the filaments, and the pith of the stem is used by the savage tribes for tinder.
"How happy it is for us," said she [the other], "that you have devoted yourself to reading and study. In our ignorance we might have passed this treasure, without suspecting its value."
One problem after another is solved by the resourceful father and sons. Mother suffers a fall from the treehouse, one son suffers a serious burn and another son is shot, a hurricane destroys their fruit trees, and mom and a son are abducted by cannibals from the next island over. All crises are met head on and solved. Dad even makes rubber boots!
The second half of the book concerns Father and his older sons returning to find mother and the younger son missing. They fear that cannibals have abducted them. The menfolk sail to an island and after many adventures with 'savages' and a priest they are reunited.
The next morning, Ernest had used my bow, which I had given him, very skilfully; bringing down some dozens of small birds, a sort of ortolan, from the branches of our tree, where they assembled to feed on the figs. This induced them all to wish for such a weapon...I gave my boys leave to kill as many ortolans as they chose, for I knew that, half-roasted, and put into casks, covered with butter, they would keep for a length of time, and prove an invaluable resource in time of need.
We are today repelled by the sense that all creation is there for mankind to use. We know what happened to many species and to our environment as an outcome of that sad attitude towards creation.
We know that ostriches, wild boar, bears and penguins do not live side by side not to speak of kangaroos, pineapples, water buffalo and a multitude of other things the Robinsons find on their island. It is pretty absurd by today's knowledgeable readers.
The book is pre-novel in the way Robinson Crusoe is, episodic and without depth of character, lots of life instruction and little sense of plot. Wyss was to have told the book as a series of stories or tales.
There is a strong religious ground to the novel, and 18th c values are clear. Mom is revered and loved, a paragon of virtue. Father is a fount of wisdom, strength, and knowledge and clearly is in charge. The family always gives thanks to God their preserver, defender, and guide. The sons represent different personalities and are accepted and esteemed for the gifts God gave to them. Education and self-improvement are esteemed. And in all things they hold strong to their faith in God.
Our path became every instant more intricate, from the amazing quantity of creeping plants which choked the way, and obliged us to use the axe continually. The heat was excessive, and we got on slowly, when Ernest, always observing, and who was a little behind us, cried out, "Halt! a new and important discovery!" We returned, and he showed us, that from the stalk of one of the creepers we had cut with our axe, there was issuing clear, pure water. It was the liane rouge, which, in America, furnishes the hunter such a precious resource against thirst. Ernest was much pleased; he filled a cocoa-nut cup with the water, which flowed from the cut stalks like a fountain, and carried it to his mother, assuring her she might drink fearlessly; and we all had the comfort of allaying our thirst, and blessing the Gracious Hand who has placed this refreshing plant in the midst of the dry wilderness for the benefit of man.
Another aspect that upsets moderns sensibilities is the attitude towards the local indigenous people, the 'savages' who are just becoming Christianized. Just the use of the word savage sets one's teeth on edge.
So why did I love this book as a girl? It is clearly a 'boy's' book, with many adventures and more knowledge about how to identify and prepare edible vegetative matter than any fiction book ought to have in it.
1. It starts with a shipwreck---a storm has raged for six days already, and on the seventh day the ship strikes a rock. What can be more exciting than that?
2. Father and Mother are models of strength and courage. Every child believes their parents are--or wants to trust that their parents are--strong protectors they can rely on.
"Take courage," cried I, [the father] "there is yet hope for us; the vessel, in striking between the rocks, is fixed in a position which protects our cabin above the water, and if the wind should settle to-morrow, we may possibly reach the land."
This assurance calmed my children, and as usual, they depended on all I told them; they rejoiced that the heaving of the vessel had ceased, as, while it lasted, they were continually thrown against each other. My wife, more accustomed to read my countenance, discovered my uneasiness; and by a sign, I explained to her that I had lost all hope. I felt great consolation in seeing that she supported our misfortune with truly Christian resignation.
"Let us take some food," said she; "with the body, the mind is strengthened; this must be a night of trial."
3. They have adventures, suffer hardships, and are pressed to solve huge problems but prevail and flourish. Wish fulfillment! Illusions of superhuman ability! What child can resist!
4. The boys all have a special pet animal. They get to ride animals. They have two dogs. Kids love animals.
5. They live in a treehouse! They build a grotto in a cave. They live in a tent. What could be grander?
6. The boys are respected for their contributions to the welfare of the family. The older boys are relied upon to do adult work.
I don't expect to ever read Swiss Family Robinson again. But after rereading Robinson Crusoe, and as I have been revisiting childhood favorite books, it seemed fitting.
The main character is a pastor who with his family were on their way to New Guinea when a storm over took their ship. They become stranded on a deserted island, but after devising ways to remove the animals and every useful item from the ship, they recreate civilization.
Since its initial publication in 1812 it has been translated and rewritten many times and was the basis for a Disney film and a television series.
I read the book several times when a girl and loved the Disney movie. Overall, this is a can do, positive, upbeat book. The characters never met a disaster or crisis they cannot handle. They seem to have read every book ever written on exploration, primitive cultures and their material world and industry, and every book on flora and fauna of the known universe.
Among the prickly stalks of the cactus and aloes, I perceived a plant with large pointed leaves, which I knew to be the karata. I pointed out to the boys its beautiful red flowers; the leaves are an excellent application to wounds, and thread is made from the filaments, and the pith of the stem is used by the savage tribes for tinder.
"How happy it is for us," said she [the other], "that you have devoted yourself to reading and study. In our ignorance we might have passed this treasure, without suspecting its value."
One problem after another is solved by the resourceful father and sons. Mother suffers a fall from the treehouse, one son suffers a serious burn and another son is shot, a hurricane destroys their fruit trees, and mom and a son are abducted by cannibals from the next island over. All crises are met head on and solved. Dad even makes rubber boots!
The second half of the book concerns Father and his older sons returning to find mother and the younger son missing. They fear that cannibals have abducted them. The menfolk sail to an island and after many adventures with 'savages' and a priest they are reunited.
The next morning, Ernest had used my bow, which I had given him, very skilfully; bringing down some dozens of small birds, a sort of ortolan, from the branches of our tree, where they assembled to feed on the figs. This induced them all to wish for such a weapon...I gave my boys leave to kill as many ortolans as they chose, for I knew that, half-roasted, and put into casks, covered with butter, they would keep for a length of time, and prove an invaluable resource in time of need.
We are today repelled by the sense that all creation is there for mankind to use. We know what happened to many species and to our environment as an outcome of that sad attitude towards creation.
We know that ostriches, wild boar, bears and penguins do not live side by side not to speak of kangaroos, pineapples, water buffalo and a multitude of other things the Robinsons find on their island. It is pretty absurd by today's knowledgeable readers.
The book is pre-novel in the way Robinson Crusoe is, episodic and without depth of character, lots of life instruction and little sense of plot. Wyss was to have told the book as a series of stories or tales.
There is a strong religious ground to the novel, and 18th c values are clear. Mom is revered and loved, a paragon of virtue. Father is a fount of wisdom, strength, and knowledge and clearly is in charge. The family always gives thanks to God their preserver, defender, and guide. The sons represent different personalities and are accepted and esteemed for the gifts God gave to them. Education and self-improvement are esteemed. And in all things they hold strong to their faith in God.
Our path became every instant more intricate, from the amazing quantity of creeping plants which choked the way, and obliged us to use the axe continually. The heat was excessive, and we got on slowly, when Ernest, always observing, and who was a little behind us, cried out, "Halt! a new and important discovery!" We returned, and he showed us, that from the stalk of one of the creepers we had cut with our axe, there was issuing clear, pure water. It was the liane rouge, which, in America, furnishes the hunter such a precious resource against thirst. Ernest was much pleased; he filled a cocoa-nut cup with the water, which flowed from the cut stalks like a fountain, and carried it to his mother, assuring her she might drink fearlessly; and we all had the comfort of allaying our thirst, and blessing the Gracious Hand who has placed this refreshing plant in the midst of the dry wilderness for the benefit of man.
Another aspect that upsets moderns sensibilities is the attitude towards the local indigenous people, the 'savages' who are just becoming Christianized. Just the use of the word savage sets one's teeth on edge.
So why did I love this book as a girl? It is clearly a 'boy's' book, with many adventures and more knowledge about how to identify and prepare edible vegetative matter than any fiction book ought to have in it.
1. It starts with a shipwreck---a storm has raged for six days already, and on the seventh day the ship strikes a rock. What can be more exciting than that?
2. Father and Mother are models of strength and courage. Every child believes their parents are--or wants to trust that their parents are--strong protectors they can rely on.
"Take courage," cried I, [the father] "there is yet hope for us; the vessel, in striking between the rocks, is fixed in a position which protects our cabin above the water, and if the wind should settle to-morrow, we may possibly reach the land."
This assurance calmed my children, and as usual, they depended on all I told them; they rejoiced that the heaving of the vessel had ceased, as, while it lasted, they were continually thrown against each other. My wife, more accustomed to read my countenance, discovered my uneasiness; and by a sign, I explained to her that I had lost all hope. I felt great consolation in seeing that she supported our misfortune with truly Christian resignation.
"Let us take some food," said she; "with the body, the mind is strengthened; this must be a night of trial."
3. They have adventures, suffer hardships, and are pressed to solve huge problems but prevail and flourish. Wish fulfillment! Illusions of superhuman ability! What child can resist!
4. The boys all have a special pet animal. They get to ride animals. They have two dogs. Kids love animals.
5. They live in a treehouse! They build a grotto in a cave. They live in a tent. What could be grander?
6. The boys are respected for their contributions to the welfare of the family. The older boys are relied upon to do adult work.
I don't expect to ever read Swiss Family Robinson again. But after rereading Robinson Crusoe, and as I have been revisiting childhood favorite books, it seemed fitting.
I loved this book as a teenager. I read it many times.
If I were a ten-year-old boy in 1812 and my father were reading me this novel before bedtime, I would have loved it. Indeed, when I was a child, I loved the children's abridged version of this story.
It's too bad that the adult version could have been abridged, too. The book is over 300 pages of the same thing happening. A family of 4 boys, mother and father is shipwrecked on a deserted island in Southeast Asia. After they build a shelter, for the rest of the novel they encounter animals and don't do much else. The four sons are fun to read about, as each has his own distinct and sympathetic personality.
It would be hard to truly dislike the book, though it is a bit boring. The language isn't hard to understand and the characters are nice. The problem is the characters are stale; the father in particular is a mind-numbingly sterile square.
If there is one thing to dislike about the novel, it is the fact that the author calls the people native to this island "savages." The family fears being attacked, yet they quickly come to love living on the island. Based on the end of the book, I don't think the author meant that "we" and "the savages" aren't so different. It was very "I'm going to use your land and your culture and yet criticize you, despite the fact that you invented the way of life I'm currently living fruitfully." I don't forgive this book for that, but it is written by a white European in 1812--he was among friends in this belief.
The Swiss Family Robinson did not age well...
It's too bad that the adult version could have been abridged, too. The book is over 300 pages of the same thing happening. A family of 4 boys, mother and father is shipwrecked on a deserted island in Southeast Asia. After they build a shelter, for the rest of the novel they encounter animals and don't do much else. The four sons are fun to read about, as each has his own distinct and sympathetic personality.
It would be hard to truly dislike the book, though it is a bit boring. The language isn't hard to understand and the characters are nice. The problem is the characters are stale; the father in particular is a mind-numbingly sterile square.
If there is one thing to dislike about the novel, it is the fact that the author calls the people native to this island "savages." The family fears being attacked, yet they quickly come to love living on the island. Based on the end of the book, I don't think the author meant that "we" and "the savages" aren't so different. It was very "I'm going to use your land and your culture and yet criticize you, despite the fact that you invented the way of life I'm currently living fruitfully." I don't forgive this book for that, but it is written by a white European in 1812--he was among friends in this belief.
The Swiss Family Robinson did not age well...
It was pretty boring, which was surprising to me since I loved the Disneyland attraction that was based on the book. The premise sounds interesting, family stranded on a desert island has to learn to survive. But it was so unbelievable, the father knows how to make everything out of anything. They lack for nothing because he can some how turn around and find materials on the island that he can use to build whatever they want. In addition, between himself and his older sons, they know the names and all about all of the animals on the island, even though they have never been there before. They also know all about the plants on the island, which ones they can eat and which ones are poisonous, so no one ever gets sick. The gender and racial issues in the book are not surprising because of when the book was written, but they make that last few chapters difficult to read.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Fanatical religious tripe. I cannot believe I stuck with this. It read like a grocery list for those he'll bent on expounding the morality and great goodness of the Christian cause. The whole thing came across a bit like an overly verbose and pompous sermon from some evangelistic brainwashed zombie.
This went beyond survival. First, It seems as though they killed everything just because. Second, who are the “savages” they keep mentioning? Third, all the food they found growing on the island did not miraculously appear there.