50 pages • 1 hour read
Gulliver's Travels: Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
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Book Brief
306
Novel • Fiction
Various Fictional Lands • 18th century
1726
Adult
14+ years
Super Short Summary
In Jonathan Swift's satirical novel Gulliver's Travels, Lemuel Gulliver embarks on four extraordinary voyages, encountering tiny people in Lilliput, giants in Brobdingnag, a floating island called Laputa, and rational horses known as Houyhnhnms. Throughout his adventures, Gulliver navigates new societies and cultures, ultimately returning to England with a changed perspective on humanity. The text includes discussions of violence and oppressive governance.
Mysterious
Adventurous
Humorous
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift captivates with its satirical prowess and imaginative landscapes. Praised for its wit and insightful social commentary, it remains a relevant critique of human nature. Some readers, however, find its outdated language challenging. The novel's episodic structure can be disjointing, but it offers a rich, multi-layered reading experience.
Who Should Read Gulliver's Travels?
A reader who enjoys Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift typically appreciates satirical and adventurous literature. This reader likely has a penchant for biting social and political commentary, similar to that found in George Orwell's Animal Farm and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Enthusiasts of fantastical journeys resembling those in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll may also find this classic appealing.
The Houyhnhnms
The Houyhnhnms
A race of highly rational horses who live in an orderly, virtuous society that influences Gulliver's views on humanity.
The Brobdingnagians
The Brobdingnagians
Giant people who, through their physicality, highlight flaws in the human body and society, noted for their variations in character and perceived imperfections.
The Lilliputians
The Lilliputians
Tiny people who use physical force against Gulliver and have a society rife with political division and superficial conflicts.
The Laputans
The Laputans
Intellectuals with a focus on mathematics, astronomy, and music, living with an absurd detachment from practical realities.
306
Novel • Fiction
Various Fictional Lands • 18th century
1726
Adult
14+ years
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