| Title : Swiss Family Robinson Author : J.D. Wyss Reading Dates : 15 Jun - 19 Jun 2011 |   |
| From goodreads : | |
A terrible storm strands a Swiss pastor, with his wife and four sons, on a tropical island. Luckily, the Robinsons are optimistic and inventive, and with what they salvage from the wrecked ship, and the island's abundant fruits, plants, and animals, they soon adapt--each day discovering new dangers, skills and delights in their strange new life. | |
Book Review of Swiss Family Robinson.
This is the first time I’ve re-read the book in over a decade, maybe more. And while I still enjoy it, most of my enjoyment this time is derived from sentimental reasons than the storytelling.
Previously, I had enjoyed it as a simple adventure story. One where I shared the shipwrecked family’s trials and tribulations as they encountered wondrous creatures and used their ingenuity to create a safe and comfortable home for themselves on the island. This time around though, I couldn’t help but notice how improbable that the varied creatures they encountered could co-exist on the same island or how incredibly knowledgeable the patriarch of the family was. It surely puts this tale in the realm of fantasy. This doesn’t mean that I didn’t like it, just that it requires the suspension of disbelief.
Aside from that, I also thought that with regards to the purpose or objective of this tale, the story falls far from its aims. I can’t say how it affected other young readers but on reflection,as a child I never gave much attention to the lessons The Swiss Family Robinson was attempting to impart. It was no more and no less than just a story to me then. Without re-reading this now, I would never have realized that the author might have something else in mind.
As a final note, the story here was a nice break from some of my recent reads. Fun, without need to expend too much though on it.
This is the first time I’ve re-read the book in over a decade, maybe more. And while I still enjoy it, most of my enjoyment this time is derived from sentimental reasons than the storytelling.
Previously, I had enjoyed it as a simple adventure story. One where I shared the shipwrecked family’s trials and tribulations as they encountered wondrous creatures and used their ingenuity to create a safe and comfortable home for themselves on the island. This time around though, I couldn’t help but notice how improbable that the varied creatures they encountered could co-exist on the same island or how incredibly knowledgeable the patriarch of the family was. It surely puts this tale in the realm of fantasy. This doesn’t mean that I didn’t like it, just that it requires the suspension of disbelief.
Aside from that, I also thought that with regards to the purpose or objective of this tale, the story falls far from its aims. I can’t say how it affected other young readers but on reflection,as a child I never gave much attention to the lessons The Swiss Family Robinson was attempting to impart. It was no more and no less than just a story to me then. Without re-reading this now, I would never have realized that the author might have something else in mind.
As a final note, the story here was a nice break from some of my recent reads. Fun, without need to expend too much though on it.
My conclusions :
- Would I re-read the book ? Yes.
- Would I want to read the next book in the series if there were one? No, any longer and the tale would become boring.
- Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Not really.
- Who would I recommend this too? Young readers who like adventure stories.
- For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Borrow it.
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| Challenges : 100+ Reading Challenge, The Classics 2011 Reading Challenge |
I recall really liking the movie made on this book but not being motivated to read the book-
ReplyDelete@mel u
ReplyDeleteReally ? ... hmm... I don't recall ever watching the movie except maybe the space family Robinson version