The Swiss family Robinson

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

78017

Title

The Swiss family Robinson

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this classic survival tale, a Swiss family shipwrecked on a remote coast builds a thriving colony over a decade. Blending humor with practical ingenuity, the narrative follows their ingenious inventions, animal husbandry, and eventual rescue by a British vessel, offering timeless lessons on resilience, faith, and resourcefulness.

Summary up to 500 words

In Johann David Wyss's *The Swiss Family Robinson*, a father, mother, and their four sons survive the wreck of their ship, the *Dorcas*, off the coast of New Holland. Stranded with only a few days' provisions, the family demonstrates remarkable ingenuity by constructing a fortified grotto home and establishing a self-sufficient society. They cultivate gardens, hunt for food, and domesticate a diverse menagerie, including cows, asses, sheep, goats, and exotic birds. The narrative highlights the family's technical prowess, such as the invention of cork swimming jackets to rescue their livestock from the sea and the construction of a sophisticated dove-cot using anise to tame wild pigeons. Over ten years, they amass significant wealth in pearls, spices, furs, and ivory, transforming the island into a thriving colony. The story balances serious survival challenges with lighthearted moments, including the boys' playful inventions and humorous interactions with their animals. The narrative culminates when a British ship, the *Unicorn*, commanded by Captain Littleton, arrives after hearing the family's cannon signals. While the parents and two sons wish to remain, the younger sons, one daughter, and a new family of refugees choose to return to Europe. Before departing, the father reflects on the importance of education, faith, and the value of their experiences, entrusting the story to his eldest son, Fritz, to serve as a moral lesson for future generations.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/78017.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg78017.epub

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Categories

• Adventure
• Family Life
• Survival