Rollo in Geneva

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25355

Title

Rollo in Geneva

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Join young Rollo and his family on a captivating tour of Europe, culminating in a memorable stay in Geneva. This educational adventure explores the city's stunning natural beauty, rich history, and industrial fame. Through engaging dialogue and moral lessons, the story invites young readers to appreciate geography, law, and the wonders of the Alps while learning about the customs of travel in the 19th century.

Summary up to 500 words

In Jacob Abbott's *Rollo in Geneva*, the narrative follows twelve-year-old Rollo and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Holiday, as they explore the celebrated Swiss city. Abbott dedicates significant attention to Geneva's unique geography, describing the crescent-shaped Lake Geneva and the remarkable clarity of its waters at the western outlet, where mountain impurities have settled. The family arrives by boat, where Rollo instructs his cousin Lucia on steering, explaining the mechanics of the rudder and the counter-intuitive movement of the boat's head. They observe the dramatic phenomenon of Mont Blanc appearing and disappearing as the sun sets, a spectacle that captivates the family despite the mountain's sudden loss of its rosy glow. The city's historical significance as a center of the Reformation and its status as a refuge for scholars are also highlighted. A central theme of the book is moral instruction through precise language, illustrated by a 'law question' regarding a promise to take a sailboat versus a steamboat. Rollo and his father consult a lawyer friend to determine if the promise binds them to a specific vessel type, teaching the importance of exact intent in commitments. The journey includes plans for an excursion to the Valley of Chamouni, where the family discusses the challenges of crossing high mountain passes on mules or in carrying chairs. The story concludes with a heartwarming revelation: Rollo had secretly purchased a fifteen-franc pin for his mother, an ornament she cherished more than any other, underscoring the book's enduring themes of family affection, responsibility, and thoughtful character development.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25355.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg25355.epub

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2026-07-05 11:38 UTC

Categories

• Classics
• Travel