The Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann David Wyss

After days of being tossed and battered by a raging storm, the ship on which the narrator, his wife, and their four sons are passengers smashes against a reef — and the last lifeboat pulls away without them. Next morning, the intrepid, loving little family finds itself cast away on an uninhabited island. Never losing hope, they retrieve what they can from the ship and construct a life for themselves through their own resourcefulness — building a tree house, finding such foods as coconuts, sugarcane, honey, and potatoes, and securing themselves against danger. Adventure follows adventure as they explore the island, encounter wild birds and terrifying animals, plant crops, build sturdier shelters, and settle in for a long stay. Although there are many hardships, the family lives in peace and harmony, and even rescues a girl who was stranded on a nearby island.
Johann David Wyss (1743-1818), a pastor in Bern Switzerland, after observing how enthralled his four sons were by the story of Robinson Crusoe, decided to create his own Robinson — a Swiss one, with a family just like his own — in order to entertain and instruct the boys. Many years later, his son Johann Rudolf Wyss, who had become a librarian and a professor of philosophy, convinced his father to allow him to complete and edit the charming story, which was published for the first time in 1813.
Long a favorite of children and young adults, this thrilling account of a family’s struggle against overwhelming odds retains a lasting appeal for readers who admire the family’s loving spirit and the enterprising manner in which they prevail. Featuring the best English-language adaptation — done by William H. G. Kingston in 1889 — this unabridged edition of the immensely popular tale is sure to enthrall a new generation of readers.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Adventure, Childrens, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Classic Literature

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

From Christian Classics Library

Wyss is best remembered for his book The Swiss Family Robinson . A pastor with four sons, it is said that he was inspired by Defoe's Robinson Crusoe to write a story from which his own children would learn, as the father in the story taught important lessons to his children.

The Swiss Family Robinson was first published in 1812 and translated into English two years later. It has since become one of the most popular books of all time. The book was edited by his son, Johann Rudolf Wyss, a scholar who wrote the Swiss national anthem. Another son, Johann Emmanuel Wyss, illustrated the book.

Reviews

[Jama · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book for kids, and my boys really like it a lot.

Many of the negative reviews posted about this book are totally correct. The Swiss Family is a product of its time. They treat the island like their playground, killing and domesticating everything in sight. They mention god a lot. They never name the mother, and she stays in the background cooking and mending things while the father and boys go out adventuring, but in all fairness, none of the characters have real fleshed out personalities. Besides the fact that one boy is more scared than others, one is young and often left out, and one is slightly lazy, they are all basically the same blank slate into which the child reader can insert themself and imagine surviving in the bountious plentiful island where death and disease do not exist (human death, that is.)

When I read this to my kids ( this is my second time, right now I'm reading to the 7 and 10 year old), we talk about the characters' dated historical attitudes. We mock the unrealistic success of every project they tackle. We laugh at the preposterous confluence of animals and plants from every continent on earth. Yet they really get something out if the story. If it was up to me, I would stop reading it in a heart beat, but I read it for them. And at least the version we have uses great vocabulary and wording I am happy to expose them to.

My sons would rate this 5 stars. I would rate this 2. I could never read this on my own. But reading it to them ups it a star.

[Lesle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found a bookmark on page 237, so I skimmed through to bring things back to current.
The story, after days of being tossed and battered by a raging storm, the pastor his wife and their four sons are passengers. The ship smashes against a reef - and the last lifeboat pulls away without them. The next morning the family finds itself cast away on an island. They retrieve what they can from the ship and construct a life for themselves - building a treehouse, finding such food as coconuts, sugarcane, honey, potatoes, and protecting themselves against danger. Adventure follows adventure as they explore the island. They end up domesticating all sorts of animals, mostly because the boys were a bad shot and they felt bad leaving injured animals behind. They encounter terrifying animals. Although they indure many hardships, the family lives in harmony and even rescues a girl who is a castaway on a nearby island.
There was no real challenges they always thanked God for their good fortune, “Thank Providence” is something they would say quite a bit.
Again no real challenges for the family to face. It made it boring to read. Also, there is no way that all of the animals and plants that were described could have lived together, some were from Australia, Asia and Africa which when I was younger found exciting and thrilling but as an adult not so much anymore.
My Sister and I grew up watching the Disney version of the movie and I am sure if I watched it again I would find it fun again!

[Emily]

I don't think I finished this when I attempted it as a child, but the early chapters made a big impression on me (I liked their different houses: a tree house, a cave house, etc., and the way they always found something useful washed up in the wreckage). Glad that someone put the cover of the edition my family owned on goodreads. It's always very satisfying to have the "right" edition on one's shelves.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit long but there is regular excitement to hold interest of young listeners.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to this story with my husband and children. I had forgotten how detailed Wyss is about how they crafted their lives in the island. This was and especially engaging listen for my ten year old son. I appreciate the values of integrity, working hard, ingenuity, courage, fortitude, teamwork etc expressed in this story.

[Frances · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know it is not fair to judge an old book by todays standards but it was, dare I say, boring as hell. I commend Walt Disney for his ability to make a classic movie from a boring novel. There is no fun here. The father was smug and among his many talents he was a zoologist, botanist, inventor, ship builder, shoe maker and generally annoying know-it-all. There was not an animal that they did not kill for the joy of it. Flamingos, penguins, it did not matter. Dead it was. I hated it so badly that I donated it to my local library bookstore. I expunged it from the Grossett and Dunlap Junior Illustrated Classics that I collect.

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This version of the Swiss Family Robinson was written for upper elementary level children. It would be an enjoyable read for them particularly boys.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family: Sees yet another inexplicable exotic animal.

"Let's kill it!"

I don't recall if the book reveals what the dad's occupation was before the events of the book, but I'm convinced that he wrote for an encyclopedia and had been praying to be stranded on an island his whole life so he could show off his knowledge.

[Joanne-in-Canada · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no idea what the plot of this book was, but found it immensely entertaining. Partly because of the archaic language ("he must needs stop", "behindhand", "ever and anon"), partly because the family conveniently had soooo many supplies and the ship never sank or floated away, and partly because everything went just so well (except for a bee sting or two)!

My favourite part, however, was that mysterious character "my wife" aka "the mother" (once called "Elizabeth"). She was just so good at staying behind with the younger boys, making meals appear on time like magic, and being excited to spin, weave and sew clothing for everybody!

[Sarah Eastley Martschenko · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s always hard to give thoughts on a book that was written during a different time (1812). After doing some research, I learned that this book was intended to teach Johann David Wyss’ four sons about family values and self-reliance. I think I was expecting more tension from a desert island situation, and all the problems were solved without any mistakes being made.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

So glad they didn't run into any "savage blackamoor Malay pirates", and only had to consort with "civilised Europeans" :)

Don't worry, I understand it's old, and racism was "fine" in the past, so I actually didn't even consider it in my rating.

[Private Account · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anders, 4, enjoyed this book. I thought it was a little unrealistic. I do like stories about nice people who are competent at life though.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one way back in grade school. Remember getting a copy for Christmas when I was 10.

[Jasmíne Kobata · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fritz is kind of trigger-happy, and I feel bad for all the animals.

[Samala Rayn (Kafka's Version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t bad at all!
It just wasn’t my speed…
It took me three weeks to make it this far, I think that speaks for itself…
Sadly, DNF at 44%
RIP 🪦

[Brandon Current · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read and pass. This book is for young children. There is a pious tone of humility, trust, and gratitude towards God that is helpfully woven through every part of the book. There are also many character lessons presented (even if in a sermon if way) However, there is no story from one chapter to the next. Each problem is resolved like a tv episode. Everything on the planet seems to exist on their island. They know too much about each thing they encounter. The father’s parental style and attitude towards his wife are far more patriarchal than modern culture and is fairly grating. The family have a colonial “harvesting” resources mindset along with a low value of the life of creatures and native people groups. All these are historical realities, yet deeply unchristian in the biblical sense.

Nevertheless, kids have always loved it and will continue to love it and it does more good for their character than most modern children’s books.

[Valerie Hounjet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so good. I didn’t read this book as a kid so if you were like me and haven’t read it. I highly recommend it. I gave it more than a 5 star rating. It was one of those books I couldn’t put down. It had everything you needed in a book.

[Elizabeth Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my 5th graders, we all loved it!

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't great literature, but I did enjoy how much the kids enjoyed it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m all for some suspension of belief but by the 10th or 11th new animal/plant that the dad just knew and knew how to use?! It got a little repetitive. Not a bad family read aloud but I don’t think we’ll read it again.

[Ethan Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars is about as harsh as I’ll rate a book, but this one is not deserving of more in my book.

In theory, the premise is a fascinating one: a family is marooned on a desert island and learns to thrive. That being said, their story could be told in roughly 100 less pages. Wyss, in trying to cram in as much adventure as possible, ends up providing way too much detail about the mundane and not nearly enough about the adventure.

I was willing to give the family being ship-wrecked with many of their supplies the benefit of the doubt for getting their colony going. However, the island is apparently the lost Garden of Eden, for EVERY animal and plant imaginable is present there to the point that it’s laughable.

The book is also from an extremely paternalistic point of view. A devout Christian myself, I was totally annoyed with the father’s preachy attitude on every aspect of his son’s lives.

[David Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy to read, an illustration on every other page. Good for children. you could probably let them use it for a coloring book!

[Kate Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have an adventure loving emerging reader, this is the book for you!!!!!! This version of SFR is great for that demographic. It's easy enough to read for my 6 1/2 year old son (we alternate) and this version pares down the tale to the "exciting" bits ... this is like the book version of "Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!" We usually read three chapters a night and on one night we had the following: rodeo type events with youngest boy riding a 4 month old buffalo calf, then the middle boy Francis gets stuck in quicksand, then a 14 foot boa constrictor "stalks" the SFR's camp and ultimately eats their donkey, then they men of the family go hunting and send their pet eagle to kill an ostrich ... they then bring back ostrich eggs and add ostriches to their menagerie. A few chapters later a male lion invades their camp and they shoot him, after which a lioness attacks - she is set upon by the family's pet dogs (one of which is killed and then laid to rest) and then .... well, you get the picture.

For OUR specific interests and purposes, this was a GREAT book. Low on gore but high on intense excitement, survival and exotic animals. Right up Will's alley. A big hit.

[Nathan Kaczmarek · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book the Swiss Family Robinson was about this family that was headed to an island off the coast of New Guinea to set up a new colony. However, on there trip there, a huge storm comes and they are stuck on a big rock. The crew members and the captain of the ship see land and make a break for it without the Robinson Family. They wait on the ship overnight and the next day the weather is perfect. So the family heads for the island, with almost every thing on board. They get to there new exotic island without any signs of the others. They then have to survive on the island.
I really liked this book. the author really intrigued me through descriptive details, making me feel as if I were there facing the exotic animals, standing side by side with the Robinson family.
I really didn't find anything that I didn't like about the book. I really think that the book was all around good.
I would recommend this book to anybody that likes reading adventurous books. And anyone that likes exciting books.

[J A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the other reviews, and I get it. No island exists, especially one with such varied terrain and plant/animal life, on which you can crash land and not suffer some horrific fate in ten years of living there. Yes, we're human, and we're prone to disease and mishaps. BUT this is not meant to be a historical account, even though it reads like one. It is an adventure, but more importantly it is the story of both a familial bond and the family's bond with God. No, you wouldn't find EVERY creature and plant on one island, but that's what makes it so fantastic. They get to fight giant lobsters and boa constrictors, suck on sugar cane, fashion kitchen utensils out of gourds and explore vast, glittering salt caverns. I could read this book once a year for the rest of my life and never get bored, because not only is it an adventurer's dream, but it's also got some good information on plants and animals, and it's rooted in family values.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband’s grandfather gave him this classic book when he was a child. We enjoyed reading this book together as a family, although we titled it, “Swiss Family Murderers”. We even took guesses each night of how many animals would be killed at each sitting—lots. Many times it just made me sick to read the description of the killing and how frequently they couldn’t control their dogs who tore into the animals. This book was published in 1812, so it was a different time and different beliefs. The family had to eat, but some of the killing seemed pointless. Also, there are sexist and racist remarks, which led to discussions on different thinking back then.
I enjoyed the book, the adventure, the faith in God and His goodness and providence, the strength of a family. We did find it funny just how smart the dad is—he knows everything!! Also, this island had every imaginable animal—lions, bears, hyenas, boa constrictors, kangaroos, penguins, ostriches, monkeys, etc.

[Cherese A. Vines · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the illustrated classic so it was very much condensed. I did get what the story was about. It was "fantastic" in that everything that the family needed was provided on the island. There were also a large assortment of animals living together. I'm wondering what climate could support that many different types of animals. But it's fiction and the author wanted it to sound exciting. It was also in a time before wide exploration I'm guessing. Another thing for me to find out. It was an ok story. I never had to read this in school so I just found out that the family's name was not Robinson. But the title was a nod to the novel Robinson Crusoe. So I read that one also. I will take a look at the full version. Like one reviewer noted, there was a lot of unnecessary killing of animals by the boys of the family. I'd like to read the original to see what's really going on.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to admit I listened to the audiobook, which was over 12 hours long. I don't think I would have made it through the print edition.

There are aspects I enjoyed, but the abundance of the island was ridiculous. Penguins, kangaroos, wild boar, lions, flamingos, monkeys, jackals, etc. The list went on and on. The family was practically tripping over new animals every time they left their shelter. Was a previous shipwreck bound for a zoo?!

I would have enjoyed it more had it been more succinct. I realize the author was trying to get across the message that God will provide to the faithful and hardworking, but it was a bit much.

Also, Disney took significant liberties with the old movie.

[Jennifer Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child, this was basically my favorite book. It is a boy's classic and I can't believe all of the haters. I will never understand how people can place their modern sensibilities on what is basically a children's book from 1812. It is written for children and should be read by children, not 40 year olds who are, for whatever reason, looking for a politically correct travelogue.

Yes, the book is filled with the most ridiculous events, a non-sensical menagerie of animals (in what country do bears, kangaroos, pythons, penquins, onangers, water buffalo, eagles, porcupines and ostriches all exist?), God filled speeches and a high level of violence. But it is FUN for a yoong boy.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great adventure, and full of informative view about plants and animals and their uses. The Swiss family an Army Chaplain with his wife and four boys in a shipwrecked. The family landed in an island abundant with natural resources, while still looking for food the wreckage itself were able to provide them of what they need.

The Robinson's build the most exceptional tree house, and learning how to survive on the natural bounty offered by the island. The Robinson family was so attached to the island that when the help, finally arrived they refused to leave on their beloved island.