Comments on: The Swiss Family Robinson: or Adventures in a Desert Island

By: Lorel Shea

Lorel Shea — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:36:21 +0000

I read Swiss Family Robinson as a child, and have just reread it as an adult with the kindle version. I was fascinated by the MacGyver like ingenuity of the family, but it is certainly a morality tale more than a realistic account of life on a desert island. I was a bit put off by the continual references to indigenous people as “savages”, but that misconception was the prevailing attitude when the original book was written. I have one complaint about the kindle edition- in the midst of a scene involving a bear attack, the kindle suddenly interrupted with an apology for missing pages that could not be transcribed into kindle format. So the bears were killed, but I never learned exactly what happened. I’d guess that it was only two pages that went missing, but it was rather disconcerting.

Nevertheless, it is an interesting book full of inspiration, and a good source of discussion.
Rating: 3 / 5

By: L. Smith

L. Smith — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:16:37 +0000

I am shocked that people would give this book one or two stars. This book is a classic. It was written for entertainment and should be read to children of all ages. Is it conceivable that all of the events happened as printed? NO, or course not! But is it any more or less conceivable than the story of ET. We come along in this “new world” of propriety and have issues with the natives being called “savages.” Please! This politically correct stuff has to stop somewhere. I suppose you think the language in Uncle Tom’s Cabin is inappropriate also. So dont’ read that either. These same people have to problem with books that are full of filthy language and nudity. I will never understant. This is a fabulous book. It is unfortunate that Kindle couldn’t translate a couple of pages (I suspect the pages may have had images on them), but doesn’t take away from the whimsy, fantasy and love (family finding out what is really important—the whole point of the book, get it) of this book.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:43:30 +0000

Okay. C. Jennings you talked about in your review that you did not even know if kids today would believe The Swiss Family Robison. I am a kid and I will tell you. No, I do not believe it, however, I do love it. You are not supposed to believe it or analyse the possobility of it. It is fiction.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: C. Jennings

C. Jennings — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:28:02 +0000

Ok, maybe I liked this story as a child, but I tried to re-read it and it is just so unbelievable that I can't even suspend my disbelief. I don't even know if kids today would believe some of this stuff!
Not only do they have all the tools and livestock they need because they saved it from the ship...I can buy that, but they end up on an island with monkeys, flamingos, cactus that can be used as thread, pineapple, and kangaroos. Oh PLEASE! When I got to the kangaroo I had to put it down.
Everyone is just a bit too pious and a bit too happy and repentant when they're reproached for minor offenses. I can attribute this to the time period it was written in...trying to teach lessons.

The minister father who is extremely knowledgeable about all of the items that could be used in a variety of ways that they find on this "magic island" is the narrator of the story and it just doesn't cut it.

I realize that it's a children's story, but even at that, everything is a bit too convienient for my taste. I mean they have cured ham, cheese and butter for pity's sake!

Rating: 1 / 5