The Swiss Family Robinson

By: Johann David Wyss

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

A classic tale of adventure and survival, The Swiss Family Robinson has been a best seller ever since it was published in 1812, just over 200 years ago. Written by Swiss pastor Johann David Wyss, it begins with a shipwreck. A boat carrying a family of settlers to a distant colony is driven onto a reef just off an uncharted tropical island. The sailors desert the ship in lifeboats, leaving the family onboard. They weather the storm, build a makeshift raft out of empty casks, and head for the island. Once on dry land, they set about exploring their new surroundings. Using their wits and ingenuity, they build a new life together and make many amazing discoveries....

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2016 Naxos AudioBooks

Evocative adventure

Remembering the movie from childhood, I reread this book. I love how the story fires the imagination of what being stranded on an island would be like. How the family makes use of everything they find in order to survive and flourish. I would caution readers who are sensitive about animals.

Not as good as I hoped

This book is not really a “survival” story, as the family has nails, guns, canned food, dishes, etc- even livestock! The book is mostly a weird combination of the know-it-all dad being preachy and the family killing various animals in order to eat.
“Ah! A rare and interesting iguana! Let’s stab it in the eye. Ooh, a monkey! Our dog will tear it to shreds. A flamingo, a lobster, a shark. Let’s shoot them all!”
If you’re looking for a “religious” classic for kids, read Johanna Spyri, George MacDonald or Frances Hodgson Burnett instead. If you’re looking for a survival story, read My Side of the Mountain or Hatchet- even Little Britches or Little House on the Prairie is more adventuresome than this.
That all being said: the narrator did an excellent job and the abridgment was well-done. They kept the original complex language and didn’t resort to “talking down” to the young audience.