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: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2004-12-07
ISBN: 0451529618
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Signet Classics
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780451529619
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Book Reviews of The Swiss Family Robinson (Signet Classics)
Book Review: in-your-face didactic literature
Summary: 3 Stars
It seemed like everybody but me was familiar with the story of the Swiss Family Robinson, so I finally decided to sit down and read the original (written by Johann Wyss in the early 1800's).
The thing that surprised me is that the book is unapologetic, didactic literature. Kind of like Robinson Crusoe, but with a heavy-handed attempt to inculcate self-reliance and Christian values.
Here's a sample of what you're in store for. The book is narrated by the father, who at one point believes that a tiger is about to eat one of his sons: ". . . I was well satisfied with the courage of Fritz, who, instead of running away, stood firm to face the danger; the only motion he made being that of seeing that this piece was fit to be discharged, and turning himself to front the spot whence the noise proceeded. . . . I received the poor fellow with lively joy, and did not fail to commend both the bravery and discretion of my son, in not yielding to even a rational alarm."
And then you have the many, many references to Providence and God's wisdom. Another sample:
"Since it please God that it should be so," said my wife, "let us endeavor to be content, and let us be grateful to Him for having saved us from their unhappy fate, and for having once more brought us all together."
The adventures are passable, but they take a back seat to praising various virtues, such as Patience and Thrift. Though the book is still readable, if I had read this as a kid I would probably have been disgusted with it, since what adventures there are are plainly meretricious: the real point of the book is to preach to you.
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