You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
4,5 stars! This was honestly one of those books that I could not put down once I started reading. The way Gulliver writes about his travels is so humorous and it keeps you coming back for more. I laughed throughout - even up to the very end. The way Swift uses satire is impeccable! It really makes one think about how we treat animals and everyone else around us, and makes us realise how we are, essentially, the Yahoos that Gulliver encounters. I found it highly interesting that the human form becomes so repulsive to Gulliver at the end, after having spent time with more "civilised" creatures, who, in the actual world, would be deemed as brutish. Overall, this is probably one of those childhood classics that offers you even more when you read it as you grow older, and makes you find meaning in the episodes you found amusing when you were younger. I highly recommend this!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Thought this would be completely out of my comfort zone but I surprisingly enjoyed it. Although I would not rush to reread it.
Well, well, what a ride indeed! Unfortunately, not necessarily in a good way.
This book seemed very promising at first, with unimaginable adventures, all sorts of odd people and their nations, worlds of great wonders... But towards the middle of it, I felt like something must be wrong, because, albeit an adventure book, it was rather boring. Swift’s ideas are well thought-out, but the execution was what disappointed me.
Now, please, don’t get me wrong. I’m an avid reader of classic literature and I dare say I’ve acquired some experience in this “field” throughout the years. I noticed and understood all of the themes Jonathan dwells upon, such as perspective, truth and deception, clothing and what it means in several social circumstances, the human body, and so on. The manner in which he satirized the English society and humankind overall was the best part of this book. This allegorical writing also offered the reader sophisticated views on life and I found the last part (Part IV) to be the most intriguing. The Houyhnhnms reminded me of the Stoic way of life and this is an actual subject that I think deserves more attention these days.
Yet, something is lacking. Perhaps the writing style was too cold and inanimate for me and thus, the weariness I felt reading it. Besides this, the first half gave me the impression of a repetitive story, but put into other words. And although Swift insisted on telling the reader that his adventures are all true, he did the exact opposite (at least for me) and made it seem like his tales were not genuine at all. Yes, I know 18th century wasn’t the best time to be around... But I still don’t feel like giving it more than 4⭐️.
This book seemed very promising at first, with unimaginable adventures, all sorts of odd people and their nations, worlds of great wonders... But towards the middle of it, I felt like something must be wrong, because, albeit an adventure book, it was rather boring. Swift’s ideas are well thought-out, but the execution was what disappointed me.
Now, please, don’t get me wrong. I’m an avid reader of classic literature and I dare say I’ve acquired some experience in this “field” throughout the years. I noticed and understood all of the themes Jonathan dwells upon, such as perspective, truth and deception, clothing and what it means in several social circumstances, the human body, and so on. The manner in which he satirized the English society and humankind overall was the best part of this book. This allegorical writing also offered the reader sophisticated views on life and I found the last part (Part IV) to be the most intriguing. The Houyhnhnms reminded me of the Stoic way of life and this is an actual subject that I think deserves more attention these days.
Yet, something is lacking. Perhaps the writing style was too cold and inanimate for me and thus, the weariness I felt reading it. Besides this, the first half gave me the impression of a repetitive story, but put into other words. And although Swift insisted on telling the reader that his adventures are all true, he did the exact opposite (at least for me) and made it seem like his tales were not genuine at all. Yes, I know 18th century wasn’t the best time to be around... But I still don’t feel like giving it more than 4⭐️.
I know that this book, as the name obviously implies, is a work of travel literature and is meant to function as a commentary on our society. I know that the book is meant to give us a look into our own (euro-centric) culture through the eyes of varying fictional species whose customs are so entirely different to ours which will therefore illustrate the fact that what we take for granted as 'normal' in our society is just a construct we've created. But man, was this book boring as anything I've ever read.
There is a lot to be said about what it is trying to accomplish but sprinkle in some sexism and just, what is in my opinion, bad writing and you have a classic that pales, by far, in comparison to Jack Black's movie adaptation.
And just for the laughs, it baffles me how Gulliver, an unlikeable narrator, let alone character in general, can keep going back out on these adventures after he is, time and again, shipwrecked, deserted, and caught up in wacky shenanigans. I'd pack it up the first time I got home and call it that. But I suppose that's where some of the sexism comes in with the advice that one " should not have their misery doubled by the load of a wife."
Glad I read it so now I can say that I don't like it with confidence. All that being said, if you're looking for a reason not to read this book, take my review and run with it. Go watch Jack Black instead and save your reading time for something with a little more pizazz.
There is a lot to be said about what it is trying to accomplish but sprinkle in some sexism and just, what is in my opinion, bad writing and you have a classic that pales, by far, in comparison to Jack Black's movie adaptation.
And just for the laughs, it baffles me how Gulliver, an unlikeable narrator, let alone character in general, can keep going back out on these adventures after he is, time and again, shipwrecked, deserted, and caught up in wacky shenanigans. I'd pack it up the first time I got home and call it that. But I suppose that's where some of the sexism comes in with the advice that one " should not have their misery doubled by the load of a wife."
Glad I read it so now I can say that I don't like it with confidence. All that being said, if you're looking for a reason not to read this book, take my review and run with it. Go watch Jack Black instead and save your reading time for something with a little more pizazz.
I thought it was an interesting read with very intriguing premise and execution.
I love how it mocked his own story at the end. I appreciate Swift's storytelling. How adventures changes people.
I love how it mocked his own story at the end. I appreciate Swift's storytelling. How adventures changes people.
I own an ancient copy but I think I love the book more for its manufacture than the story contained within.
While perhaps not my favorite book in a lot of ways that other books have made it to my favorite list, I have found that in the year since I read the book (and the two years when I was supposed to have read it for class...) that I keep thinking about the story and overall ideas from the book. It has stayed with me and affected my thinking. And a book that does that, deserves special attention. For example, now that I'm in grad school, I am wary of the people who seemed to be trying to extract sunshine out of cucumbers.
It's a thinly-veiled political rant and it's overly descriptive, but I still enjoyed it. The stories are interesting to read; it's most definitely something everyone should try reading at least once. It helps if you keep in mind the time period in which it was written and don't expect too much out of it.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated