The Swiss Family Robinson, For age 8+, (Award Essential Classics)

*This book review was written by my 13 year old son as an assignment for his literature class*The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss was first published in 1812. It was written by a Swiss pastor who was inspired by Robinson Crusoe, but was trying to write something that his children could learn from. One of his sons edited the book and another illustrated the book. He also wrote The Castaways of the Flag with Jules Verne.It’s a book about a family who got shipwrecked on an island and had to survive for over ten years apart from civilization. They gathered animals and tamed them and domesticated them. They domesticated an ostrich, a coyote, and eagle, a monkey and many other wild animals. The family consisted of three boys, a mom and a dad. And then, near the end, they found someone else living on the island from a previous shipwreck, which was a girl. Then at the end, a ship that was coming for the girl found the island and saved them. They put the place on the map, so that the next time someone was lost on that island, they would know that the island was there. The mom and dad decided to stay, and sent the youngest away to get a good education. The oldest boy stayed.I think the book was a pretty good book. I would give it four or five stars. I especially liked the plot in general, because it was based off of a family living basically off the grid, so to speak. I liked the idea of a family that was forced to live with nature only, yet was able to adapt it to fit their needs. I didn’t like the fact that it only had 18 chapters in the e-book, and 44 in the real book. I could tell that the language was not from this time period, and it was challenging for me at times.I think that people that are into books, and natural living, and that can handle reading about animal deaths, would really enjoy this book. I would recommend that a person who is a teenager or above would enjoy reading it more, as younger kids might stumble with the language.

A fantastic story I first read as a youngster. We find the Robinson family back in the 19th century on a sailing ship headed for new lands for settlement. After a terrible hurricane like storm, the family alone survives and are washed ashore. The crew had gone off alone in life boats, abandoning the few passengers ane were never heard from again. A most interesting aspect of the family dynamics involves the formality of addressing one another, the expectations of the parents as to proper behavior and respect for one another. The author obviously had a amazing knowledge of the local flaura and fauna and this knowledge as displayed by 'Father' was instramental in the Robinsons being able to survive. The fact that the ship was nearby and trapped in the rocks gave the family considerable time to return to the wreck and scavenge for a considerable amount of food, tools, weapons, gunpowder, timber, etc. The manner in which the family were able to creatively take advantage of the natural environment and the items from the ship were described in great detail. The survival of a number of farm animals and poultry from the wreck assisted them greatly. For years I have always planned to read this book again and finally got to it. For those recognizing that 'surviving' an array of disasters that will someday befall us,[asteroids, solar storms, mammoth hurricanes, EMPs, etc] this tomb is a must to read.

Read the "light version" as a child. This time read from the adult perspective of being responsible of a family without outside support of assistance.As a spoiler, of course, the likelihood of encountering the wide variety of animals at on location and the quick domestication of such is more of the "fantasy island" approach. I hate it growing up. LOL.This time around it was interesting to see the faith of the parents, their prayer lives; and of course, their constant thankfulness for everyday blessings--like surviving another day. I thought it refreshing to see resourceful individuals solve problems and adapt; but then remember to be thankful. It may seem harsh to some to read of the destruction of some of the "local" predators or animals that cause havoc to crops, etc; but when in "survival" mode, you do what you have to do to help ensure your continued life and those of your family.Easy read, still allows you to use your imagination, but lacks the character development of our more modern books.

I first read this book in grade school, went back and read it again in high school, and held it in fond memory every since. Now that I'm seventy, and have a Kindle, I decided to go back and read it again. It is just as good as I remembered. The story of a family who found themselves on a strange island where animals from all over the world live side by side with plants from everywhere may seem unbelievable, but the story really isn't about that. It's about a family working together, laughing together, and building a life together. It's about making the the best of the resources you have available to you and enjoying what comes to you. If you think about it, it's still popular for the same reason The Waltons were popular. Because this is the way we wish our own families could have been. This book will be loved as long as families face hardship and work together to overcome and prosper.

No doubt, all but everybody has seen the Walt Disney movie based upon this classic novel, but after reading the novel, itself, as an adult, it is engaging and quite remarkable. So much so that had I read the novel when I was younger I probably would have gotten bogged down in the 19th century language and not taken the Christian 'ethical' and moral facets introduced by the father to his children as seriously as I do today. A very entertaining novel. Of the other Robinsonade genre novel types I have read including The Mysterious Island and Godfrey Morgan by Jules Verne and The Blue Lagoon by Henry De Vere Stacpoole, all these are superb literary examples to be placed side by side with The Swiss Family Robinson. In my personal view, it is a shame that Johann David Wyss did not not write most than this single book. Again,Great read. Waiting for a sequel... LOL.... There is... It is by Jules Verne.

I had been meaning to read this book since forever. Finally decided to order it in and read it. Delivery, packaging, content was fab, can’t fault it. The book itself, the attitude is a definite belonging to the Victorian ages, I ended up getting angry as the senseless killing is inappropriate in this day and age. It’s well written, well plotted and interesting to look up on things - edible seaweed, roasted acorns. And yes, I tried roasted acorns during the autumn as I never knew you could eat them. So, educational wise - it’s was enlightening. A good solid book.

This is my one of my favourite childhood classics. I still remember reading and re-reading the abridged version and marvelling over the pictures. This book is adventurous, fascinating and a very enjoyable read through and through. This particular publication is a very good buy.

This is a different translation to the hardback copy (much mended) that I have. Some elements have been changed ie, in this their fist language is French, in the hard back, German. The 'voice' is different and something has been lost. However, it is still an enjoyable read, just wish I could get an exact copy of my hardback - but it is so battered, all the usual info pages have long fallen out and got lost....

Das Buch war ein Geschenk für einen Freund, daher keine Erfahrung

I first read this book as long ago as 65 years and was anxious to read it again. This version is excellent. Most of the editions available today have been drastically altered to add new characters and different sequences of events, and they have spoiled the story. It was refreshing to read again almost the same story as I read all those years ago.