Swiss Family Robinson in Words of One Syllable
by Lucy Aikin
'Swiss Family Robinson in Words of One Syllable' Summary
The novel opens with the titular family in the hold of a sailing ship, weathering a great storm. The ship's crew evacuates without them, so William, Elizabeth, and their four sons (Fritz, Ernest, Jack, and Franz) are left to survive alone. As the ship tosses about, William prays that God will spare them.
The ship survives the night, and the family finds themselves within sight of a tropical desert island. The following day, they decide to get to the island they can see beyond the reef. With much effort, they construct a vessel out of tubs. After they fill the tubs with food, ammunition, and other items of value they can safely carry, they row toward the island. Two dogs from the ship, Turk and Juno, swim beside them. The ship's cargo of livestock (including a cow, a donkey, two goats, six sheep, a ram, a pig, chickens, ducks, geese, and pigeons), guns and powder, carpentry tools, books, a disassembled pinnace and provisions have survived.
Upon reaching the island, the family set up a makeshift camp. William knows that they must prepare for a long time on the island and his thoughts are as much on provisions for the future as on their immediate wants. William and his oldest son Fritz spend the next day exploring the island.
The family spends the next few days securing themselves against hunger. William and Fritz make several trips to the ship to bring everything useful from the vessel ashore. The domesticated animals on the ship are towed back to the island. There is also a great store of firearms and ammunition, hammocks for sleeping, carpenter's tools, lumber, cooking utensils, silverware, and dishes. Initially, they construct a treehouse, but as time passes (and after Elizabeth is injured climbing the stairs down from it), they settle in a more permanent dwelling in part of a cave. Fritz rescues a young Englishwoman named Jenny Montrose, who was shipwrecked elsewhere on their island.
The book covers more than ten years. William and the older boys explore various environments and develop homes and gardens at various sites about the island. Ultimately, the father wonders if they will ever see the rest of humanity again. Eventually, a British ship that is in search of Jenny Montrose anchors near the island and is discovered by the family. The captain is given the journal containing the story of their life on the island, which is eventually published. Several family members continue to live tranquilly on their island, while several return to Europe with the British.
Book Details
Author
Lucy Aikin
United Kingdom
Lucy Aikin was an English historical writer, biographer and correspondent. She also published under pseudonyms such as Mary Godolphin. Her literary-minded family included her aunt Anna Laetitia Barbau...
More on Lucy AikinDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
Billy Whiskers at Home by Frances Trego Montgomery
This is one in the beloved series of Billy Whisker books. a lovable goat whose adventures always entertain. Of course, adventure for Billy usually mea...
Stella Maris by William John Locke
In the enchanting world of "Stella Maris" by William John Locke, love, art, and the healing power of redemption converge in a tale that will tug at yo...
La Fée des Grèves by Paul Féval, père
Dans le roman envoûtant "La Fée des Grèves" de Paul Féval, père, une histoire captivante d'amour, d'intrigue et d'aventure se dévoile dans le décor de...
The Northern Spy by J. Thomas Warren
The Northern Spy, written in the 1800s, is a lively story about a Union soldier who infiltrates a Confederate battalion in order to aid in the conquer...
The Improvement of Human Reason by Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Malik Ibn Tufail
"The Improvement of Human Reason" by Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Malik Ibn Tufail is a timeless philosophical work that beckons the mind to wander through th...
The Royal Book of Oz by Ruth Thompson
The Royal Book of Oz (1921) is the fifteenth in the series of Oz books, and the first to be written after L. Frank Baum's death. Although Baum was cre...
Bob Bowen Comes To Town by H. Bedford-Jones
It follows the titular character, Bob Bowen, a daring adventurer who arrives in a small western town to investigate a string of mysterious crimes. Alo...
The Adventures of Prickly Porky by Thornton W. Burgess
It is an exciting children's book that follows the journey of a porcupine named Prickly Porky. The book was first published in 1916, but its timeless...
Blotted Out by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding
It tells the story of a woman named Laura who suddenly disappears, leaving her husband and family in a state of shock and confusion. As the search for...
Gulliver The Great And Other Dog Stories by Walter Alden Dyer
Meet Gulliver the Great, a dog who is bigger than life itself! He's brave, loyal, and always willing to help others. Gulliver The Great And Other Do...
Reviews for Swiss Family Robinson in Words of One Syllable
No reviews posted or approved, yet...