61 pages • 2 hours read
The Swiss Family Robinson
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Book Brief
375
Novel • Fiction
Deserted Island • 19th century
1812
Middle grade
8-12 years
NC1210L
Super Short Summary
The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss recounts the ten-year adventure of Robinson, his wife Elizabeth, and their four sons—Fritz, Ernest, Jack, and Franz—after being shipwrecked on an uninhabited island in the late 1700s, detailing their resourceful activities to build a life, their eventual discovery of Jenny Montrose, and their rescue by a Royal Navy ship. The book deals with themes of shipwreck, survival in isolation, and animal attacks.
Adventurous
Inspirational
Hopeful
Heartwarming
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
109,461 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss is praised for its engaging adventure and imaginative survival tale, stirring young readers' love for nature and ingenuity. Critics, however, note its outdated colonial mindset and some implausible elements. Despite these, the novel remains beloved for its wholesome family dynamics and exploration of self-sufficiency.
Who Should Read The Swiss Family Robinson?
Fans of stories like Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe and Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift will enjoy The Swiss Family Robinson. Ideal for readers who savor adventure, survival tales, and family dynamics, especially those who appreciate 19th-century literature and imaginative exploration of untamed wilderness.
109,461 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
375
Novel • Fiction
Deserted Island • 19th century
1812
Middle grade
8-12 years
NC1210L
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