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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
It was a joy once again to read one of my favorite books from my childhood. The fantastic journey around the world by balloon was still intriguing even as an adult reader. Any tale about Krakatoa is always interesting even if the end result is known. My only complaint would be the rather abrupt ending once he is done telling his tale to the explorer's club. I just think the author could have gone on with what happened after his return. I'd recommend this fun adventure story to any reader over 8 years old.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I have a lingering childhood fondness for this funny little title, which taps into a Roald Dahl type of whimsical inventiveness in showing off its various ideas. (My favorite: the bed of 'continuous sheets' that cranks a conveyor belt to wash and dry last night's section while rolling in a clean segment to replace it.) As a novel, though, it's a bit lacking in plot or interesting characters, being generally more interested in explaining the details of its island utopia than in actually developing a solid storyline around them; the protagonist is present just long enough to be told about everything before disaster strikes. There's also a distinct male and colonialist bias to its viewpoint, reflecting both the 1883 setting and the 1947 publication date.
It's a fun book if you can set all that aside -- as younger readers likely can -- and its premise of the wealth and technological wonders hidden on Krakatoa prior to its famous eruption is a delightful bit of old-timey pastiche, sort of like The Swiss Family Robinson crossed with Disney-Pixar's Up. I don't know that I can honestly call it great today, but it holds up pretty well for what it's aiming to do.
[Content warning for racism.]
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It's a fun book if you can set all that aside -- as younger readers likely can -- and its premise of the wealth and technological wonders hidden on Krakatoa prior to its famous eruption is a delightful bit of old-timey pastiche, sort of like The Swiss Family Robinson crossed with Disney-Pixar's Up. I don't know that I can honestly call it great today, but it holds up pretty well for what it's aiming to do.
[Content warning for racism.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
I loved the premise, and the quirkiness, but better as a read aloud, so the racism can be discussed with younger kids.
I read this for a read aloud at school, and while it is a good book it was not the best choice for read aloud.
This book wasn't for me. I can't quite articulate why, but I never got into the story. Perhaps it requires too much imagination? I used it as my bedtime story, so maybe my brain was too tired for the world created.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A friend read the beginning to me out loud, and I really think this is best enjoyed that way. Reading it myself lost half the magic. Fun kids story with cool inventions and fantastic descriptions, with a few of the pitfalls an older book may navigate concerning vocab & rhetoric of the time. Enjoyed myself overall.
Clever, charming -- a delightful adventure story. I enjoyed it as an adult, but would have eaten it up as a kid.
Very cute little story about a balloonist and his relaxing worldwide trip gone awry. Quick read and would probably make a good read-aloud.
In theory this seems like a fun middle grade version of Jules Verne. In practice, I'm inexplicably never in the mood to actually pick it up.