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jenmangler's review against another edition
2.0
Not really my cup of tea, though I did find parts of it interesting and/or amusing. If I'd been alive when the book came out I probably would have loved it. Reading it today, the writing just felt boring and dry. Also, there were things I could not get past. For example, in between his voyages, Gulliver's home for about a minute and a half before he decides to return to the sea. Why, Gulliver, why? Things never go well for you when you're at sea. What is wrong with you?!
dnandrews797's review against another edition
3.0
The language was a little clunky but was more than made up for with the absolute roast of human civilization (particularly the barbarity and self righteousness of British colonialization). The man had the audacity to end a book full of sardonic fairy tales with an authors note saying all of it was true and that the British wouldn’t have any interest in the lands he found since their inhabitants didn’t desire slavery to thier empire. Mic drop. Houston I am deceased.
suekken's review against another edition
1.5
WHAT A BORE !!!!
Oh my god, I couldn't wait for this book to end. It took me so long because it's an incredibly boring book.
I was sold an epic tale of adventure and even the cover said it was a 'story to be read an re-read' and I can't think of a worse thing to do with your life.
I understand that the story was written long ago but in my opinion just because it is a classic doesn't mean it automatically is a good read.
Oh my god, I couldn't wait for this book to end. It took me so long because it's an incredibly boring book.
I was sold an epic tale of adventure and even the cover said it was a 'story to be read an re-read' and I can't think of a worse thing to do with your life.
I understand that the story was written long ago but in my opinion just because it is a classic doesn't mean it automatically is a good read.
brisingr's review against another edition
2.0
Enjoyed the writing style, like the first tens of pages, but it all went downhill from then.
sidharthvardhan's review against another edition
5.0
'If I had to make a list of six books which were to be preserved when all others were destroyed, I would certainly put Gulliver's Travels among them.'
-George Orwell (Politics vs. Literature: An examination of Guliver's travels)
Gulliver's Travels was a big inspiration on Orwell. The machines that can create books appeared in 1984 and Animal Farm was an allegory on Politics the Way Gulliver's Travels is.
Gulliver's Travels is one of those books that children, ordinary adults and book critics read differently. Children will only find adventures in it, adults reading casually may find a lot of satire on humanity while critics (who put research behind their reading) will read it as satirical attacks on history of England particular; English politics of Swift's time and so on.
Lilliput is an allegory of England and its history. My favorite moment was when Swift satirized religious fights by making Lilliputians fight over the side from which one should break the egg.
Political and religious views aside, Swift's book is greatly original and display great writing powers. The book contains for example. probably first conceptualization of computers (the machine in part three). Swift makes use of contrast - In part one, he meet very small people, in part two giants; in part three knowing yet idiotic people and in part IV, very simple minded yet wise horses. There are good and bad people in all societies he depict; except the last one. While dwarfs use him as weapon, king of giants refuse to accept war technology he offered.
Gulliver who started as a English patriot; ready to defend his nation from criticisms in foreign lands ends up finding humanity disgusting - he even comes to hate his own wife and children; he would rather be alone than return to society of yahoos (the word he started using for humans by the end). Swift's utopia was not ruled by humans but by horses. His ultimate view of humanity lies in ugly, hate some yahoos. In fact; look at degradation of humanity from ways Gulliver was forced to desert his ship: Storm, attacked,pirates, rebellion from his own people. He became like that prisoner that was forced to return after being freed from Socrates' allegorical cave.
Gulliver ends up failing to see any virtue in humanity - isn't that too pessimistic a conclusion ? He offers no answer to problems e brought out; and thins all vices are in humans by very nature (yahoo had a thing for useless shining stones they dig out).
Did Gulliver came to know more than what was good for him? Do we all; like children who are not to be near fire or sharp objects; have limits as to things that we can learn with out harming ourselves? Perhaps, Gulliver's fault lies in generalizing humanity's vices - he is shocked whenever a fellow yahoo does a good deed. We need not share his conclusion; however that shouldn't take anything from the book.
-George Orwell (Politics vs. Literature: An examination of Guliver's travels)
Gulliver's Travels was a big inspiration on Orwell. The machines that can create books appeared in 1984 and Animal Farm was an allegory on Politics the Way Gulliver's Travels is.
Gulliver's Travels is one of those books that children, ordinary adults and book critics read differently. Children will only find adventures in it, adults reading casually may find a lot of satire on humanity while critics (who put research behind their reading) will read it as satirical attacks on history of England particular; English politics of Swift's time and so on.
Lilliput is an allegory of England and its history. My favorite moment was when Swift satirized religious fights by making Lilliputians fight over the side from which one should break the egg.
Political and religious views aside, Swift's book is greatly original and display great writing powers. The book contains for example. probably first conceptualization of computers (the machine in part three). Swift makes use of contrast - In part one, he meet very small people, in part two giants; in part three knowing yet idiotic people and in part IV, very simple minded yet wise horses. There are good and bad people in all societies he depict; except the last one. While dwarfs use him as weapon, king of giants refuse to accept war technology he offered.
Gulliver who started as a English patriot; ready to defend his nation from criticisms in foreign lands ends up finding humanity disgusting - he even comes to hate his own wife and children; he would rather be alone than return to society of yahoos (the word he started using for humans by the end). Swift's utopia was not ruled by humans but by horses. His ultimate view of humanity lies in ugly, hate some yahoos. In fact; look at degradation of humanity from ways Gulliver was forced to desert his ship: Storm, attacked,pirates, rebellion from his own people. He became like that prisoner that was forced to return after being freed from Socrates' allegorical cave.
Gulliver ends up failing to see any virtue in humanity - isn't that too pessimistic a conclusion ? He offers no answer to problems e brought out; and thins all vices are in humans by very nature (yahoo had a thing for useless shining stones they dig out).
Did Gulliver came to know more than what was good for him? Do we all; like children who are not to be near fire or sharp objects; have limits as to things that we can learn with out harming ourselves? Perhaps, Gulliver's fault lies in generalizing humanity's vices - he is shocked whenever a fellow yahoo does a good deed. We need not share his conclusion; however that shouldn't take anything from the book.
outcolder's review against another edition
5.0
he has 4 travels, right, and it's the first one in all the movies, but the last one is what germans would call 'the hammer.' he goes to this place that's like planet of the apes, except it's horses not apes. and then instead of being all charlton heston about it, he internalizes their shit and wishes he was a horse. he ends back in england and he can't stand the sight of other humans, they're disgusting, not like those noble horses. GENIUS. GENIUS GENIUS. read this book already, jeez!
anika_tpwk's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
minieggs's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
1.0