The Swiss Family Robinson (01/05 WT Book Club)

charlesp

The Swiss Family Robinson
by JOHANN WYSS

# Paperback: 336 pages
# Publisher: Yearling; Reissue edition (April 13, 1999)
# ISBN: 0440415942

TheMudge · Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 9:54 am Post subject:

Gee, THAT description makes it sound like a religious book . . . and in fact, it WAS written by a pastor as a way to teach things to his sons. Years later, the pastor's son (convieniently also named Johann) edited and rewrote the book.

The book has gone through many "translations" where the translators felt obligated to make subtle changes and/or "corrections", as the original, apparently, contradicted itself somewhat. Still, I loved this book as a kid--I've read it a dozen times--and it was the second book I ever bought for The Little Man. I scoured used bookstores to find an older, unabridged version. When I told him I had it, and that he could read it some day, his response was "Goody! That's one of my favorites! I've read it twice already!"

Rolling Eyes

_________________
"Throughout history, Truth and Love have always won." - M. Ghandi

"Truth and Love often get the crap kicked out of them along the way." -D. Mudge

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charlesp · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 5:59 pm Post subject:

anybody? anybody? don't make me hunt down my copy!
_________________

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C Clarke
"Coffee is sufficiently advanced technology" - Merlin Mann
One day I realized that sadness is just another word for not enough coffee." - Wally (Dilbert)

TheMudge · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 3:23 pm Post subject:

I'm reading! I'm reading! Sheesh . . .

OK, I'm about 1/4 of the way into this. I remember, as a kid, thinking it was awfully convenient the way a.) things keep falling into place for them; and b.) how Daddy Dearest seems to know how to do EVERYTHING. I mean, the guy is freakin' MACGYVER.

Now that I have a better idea of WHY the book was written (see earlier post), it makes sense . . . as does the father's didactic tone and perfectly gentlemanly behaviour. I take Dad's know-it-all attitude and penchant for finding fault in his sons with a grain of salt, and just enjoy the Wonderland as he describes it.

Flamingos, kangaroos and penguins, all on the same island. Whoddathunkit?
_________________
"Throughout history, Truth and Love have always won." - M. Ghandi

"Truth and Love often get the crap kicked out of them along the way." -D. Mudge

www.joyfulcurmudgeon.com
www.imaginationtogo.com
www.wowwebnow.com

TheMudge · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 4:12 pm Post subject:

OK, as gung-ho on every biblical moral issue as the Father is in this book . . . did anyone else find it strange that he is quite obviously lusting after the pinnace?
_________________
"Throughout history, Truth and Love have always won." - M. Ghandi

"Truth and Love often get the crap kicked out of them along the way." -D. Mudge

www.joyfulcurmudgeon.com
www.imaginationtogo.com
www.wowwebnow.com

TheMudge · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:37 am Post subject:

And howscome that NOWHERE on this stupid island--which has every other tropical or semi-tropical plant known to GOD--have they yet found COFFEE?? Shocked

_________________
"Throughout history, Truth and Love have always won." - M. Ghandi

"Truth and Love often get the crap kicked out of them along the way." -D. Mudge

www.joyfulcurmudgeon.com
www.imaginationtogo.com
www.wowwebnow.com

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