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My thoughts on books I've Read
The Swiss Family Robinson:
A Funny truth concerning one of the most valued imprints of literature for the last two centuries (“The Swiss Family Robinson”), is the mammoth amount of negative reviews it’s received during recent years; as I read through each review: I found myself laughing incessantly, due to the savagely honest opinions voiced-out, which truthfully enough, I empathised with at the highest level of entertainment. I shared the same thoughts with a number of each of these opinions; and if you were to ask me the most interesting of which, it is the fact that this “innocent” family is composed of ill-compassionate savages, who have no regard whatsoever for the lives of innocent animals. An interesting opinion isn’t it? Let that thought sink in, give it a moment. We’ll get back to that in awhile, for now, I’d like to tell you the gist of the story:
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As a Family of six are shipwrecked on their voyage, they end up in a mysterious, and more so intriguing island. We are first introduced to the father, whom we later on learn to be our narrator. The father (they never reveal his name, at least in this version of the book), Is immensely knowledgeable in EVERY single challenge they face; with the help of his children, he manages to finish highly taxing, herculean tasks, such as: constructing a bridge, building a museum, and whatever crazy architectural masterpiece feels of need. His greatest role is the spiritual leader of the family, he models the importance of obedience to God, and teaches his family, in hopes that they grow deeper in knowledge and love for the Lord. The mother is the second character to be introduced; as is the father, they don’t reveal her name in this version of the book. She is very supportive of her husband, graceful, gentle, and witty; she is gifted in the art of ANYTHING, she has impeccable skill in couture, cooking, and interior design, and most importantly, she constantly cares for her family to the best of her capacity. She Is a glorious epitome of what It is to be, a mother.
They, along with their four children, Fritz, Ernest, Jack, and Franz; face the daily challenges of being “castaway’s”. Now, going back to the commonly shared opinion, which is that this family of five is composed of “ill-compassionate savages, who have no regard whatsoever for the lives of innocent animals”.
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The reason they have been labeled “savage” is not merely based on the fact that they kill animals (for food, supplies, etc.), it is that fact that they seem to kill animals in an almost excessive manner. Most, if not all animals they come into contact with end up killed with a blow, or shot at sight (*disclaimer*, I am not counting those which they chose to domesticate.); animals killed include, a shark, a number of flamingos, ostriches, monkeys, eels, penguins, jackals, birds of any kind, colour, or species, a tiger, a lion, a vast serpent, and even a megalith whale.
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On the flipside, people fail to realize the insanely obvious singular motivation why this “savage” family takes such actions; they seem to fail to understand that being shipwrecked, and cast-away means you can’t just make a trip to the market every time your stock of food deems insufficient. Due to their current situation, I see it perfectly logical that they take every single opportunity they can to safe-guard any means of food, and future food that they might need to survive. The deeper essence of the problem is that current culture renders everyone a critic; I’m not saying that voicing-out your opinion is wrong, what I’m saying is that there are too many people reacting unnecessarily, and negatively about--EVERY SINGLE THING. They have crossed the fine-line between a “Reaction of Appreciation”, and a response to the common “Negative Band-wagon”; and so, I will not make that mistake, instead I’d like to appreciate Johann Wyss’ (the Author) magnificent work in placing the spotlight on the value of mentorship and spiritual-discipline.
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As I’ve mentioned before, the father is the narrator of the story; and through his eyes, we not only see the struggles of being a cast away, but the pains (and the joys) of leading a family in it’s youth. Through his eyes we see this family blossom as they come to enjoy the flourishing beauty of the Christian Life, through constant, and daily communion with God. Apart from that, everyone loves a bite of reality--the REAL things which take part in life; and with the Swiss Family Robinson, you get just that.
Now to those who wish to read this book, I leave you with a subtle reminder: Stay optimistic, and maintain an appreciative mindset; you’ll be blown away by how much the story might leave a part of it with you, you might even shed a tear or two.
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-Ethan :)