Swift's masterful satire is as entertaining today as it was when first published in 1726. Written with great wit and invention, Gulliver's Travels has captivated readers for nearly three centuries.
Gulliver's Travels
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38 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is not a children's book. Swift ensured that Gulliver's account is an easily readable piece of literature, but this is certainly not a book to be read on the surface. The depth of ideas and satire is unmatched by any other author. The first two chapters concentrate on the problems of our political systems and ridicule our customs. Gulliver is cleverly interposed in two worlds of opposites - in one he is a giant, in the next he is a dwarf. Swift uses this fact to show how everything is only relative to what you compare against. The final two chapters take a deep, long swipe at the failings of humanity - going right to the very bones. Again Swift uses the device of comparison and relatity to satirise his targets - the main one being humankind's lack of reason. DO NOT think that you have read this book if you have only watched it on TV, it is so much more than that. Read it if only to hear of the experiment to harvest sunbeams from cucumbers.
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By Dave_42
Format:Paperback
Its actual title is "Travels Into Several Remote Nations Of The World" as if by Lemuel Gulliver, but most people know it as "Gulliver's Travels" and the actual author is Jonathan Swift. The book works on numerous levels, it could be viewed as an adventure story for children, an early example of fantasy/science fiction, a general satire of humanity, or a more specific satire of events, society, and politics in which Swift lived. The latter was undoubtedly the way it was taken when first publish ed in 1726 and amended in 1735, but that is the most difficult way for the reader to view the book today. The Penguin Classics edition of "Gulliver's Travels" is of great assistance in helping the reader appreciate that aspect of the book, with a fine introduction by Robert Demaria, Jr., and detailed notes throughout the text to help explain many of the references.
Part I, "A Voyage to Lilliput" is the best known part of the book. This section has often been used in isolation of the other three parts of the book. This is the story where Gulliver is shipwrecked and washed up on a distant shore, only to find himself a captive of the Lilliputians, who are 1/12th the size of Gulliver. Swift is very detailed in discussing the minutia of Gulliver's experience, from how much he has to eat, to how he relieves himself. Swift satirizes the court of King George I, and of course travel books where the authors stretch the truth. Gulliver starts as a captive, becomes a loyal subject, but then is forced by his own morals to refuse the requests of the King of Lilliput which allows his enemies to work against him. As a result, Gulliver is forced to flee and as fortune would have it he makes it back to home.... Read more ›
Part I, "A Voyage to Lilliput" is the best known part of the book. This section has often been used in isolation of the other three parts of the book. This is the story where Gulliver is shipwrecked and washed up on a distant shore, only to find himself a captive of the Lilliputians, who are 1/12th the size of Gulliver. Swift is very detailed in discussing the minutia of Gulliver's experience, from how much he has to eat, to how he relieves himself. Swift satirizes the court of King George I, and of course travel books where the authors stretch the truth. Gulliver starts as a captive, becomes a loyal subject, but then is forced by his own morals to refuse the requests of the King of Lilliput which allows his enemies to work against him. As a result, Gulliver is forced to flee and as fortune would have it he makes it back to home.... Read more ›
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Mole
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Gulliver's Travels" is one of those books that is instantly recognisable by name. Unfortunately, of those relatively few people that have read it, many are only aware of the first section of the book (the visit to Lilliput), and even then they miss the bitingly accurate social commentary that is woven into the tale.
Swift was making some extremely harsh comments about the society in which he lived; and I would suggest that much of his satirical writing could be seen to be as accurate today as it was at the time of Queen Anne. Certainly I suspect that he would recognise a similar corruption in modern politics, the law, medicine and social behaviour that he knew and despised some 3 centuries ago.
The book is fairly easy to read; for best understanding, it would be worth doing so in short bursts and probably by re-reading sections. Some of the satire is easy to miss, such as the concept of the "low" and "high" heel parties, and the man who wears a pair of shoes that have one high and one low heel; he finds it difficult to walk the line between the two political views. In other cases, it is a belligerent statement of contempt, such as the behaviour of the "Yahoos" in the land of the "Houyhnhmm" (pronounced Winnim") and the comparison to human society.
The story could be read as a childrens tale of fantastical adventures and nothing more; but re-reading it later in life can reveal an amusing, albeit harsh reflection of human foibles.
Swift was making some extremely harsh comments about the society in which he lived; and I would suggest that much of his satirical writing could be seen to be as accurate today as it was at the time of Queen Anne. Certainly I suspect that he would recognise a similar corruption in modern politics, the law, medicine and social behaviour that he knew and despised some 3 centuries ago.
The book is fairly easy to read; for best understanding, it would be worth doing so in short bursts and probably by re-reading sections. Some of the satire is easy to miss, such as the concept of the "low" and "high" heel parties, and the man who wears a pair of shoes that have one high and one low heel; he finds it difficult to walk the line between the two political views. In other cases, it is a belligerent statement of contempt, such as the behaviour of the "Yahoos" in the land of the "Houyhnhmm" (pronounced Winnim") and the comparison to human society.
The story could be read as a childrens tale of fantastical adventures and nothing more; but re-reading it later in life can reveal an amusing, albeit harsh reflection of human foibles.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Jonathon Swift is considered to be one of the greatest Writers within the satire genre. His use of satire is particularly compelling, and he isn't afraid of mocking mankind, and in particular himself. In Gulliver's Travels Swift asks us to look at ourselves and to question our importance within the world. Swift uses the character of Lemuel Gulliver to highlight his own society's ineptitude. Gulliver travels around the seas visiting four completely different islands; the first island , Lilliput, is populated with tiny people, here Gulliver is treated as a superior being; conversely, on the second island, Brobdingnag, it is populated by giant people and Gulliver is treated by the inhabitants as inferior; understanding these people is crucial to defining what Swift is trying to say. On Brobdingnag Gulliver notices, due to their larger faces, how ugly these people are in comparison are towards the Lilliputians, but it is this which Swift uses to highlight his disdain towards humans. The third island Gulliver visits is an island known as, Laputa where the residents are similar to that of Gulliver, it is, however a dysfunctional society where the inhabitants lose all senses of reality in their fruitless quest in finding the answer to life's mysteries. The final island Gulliver visits backs up Swift's indictment towards human-governed societies, the island is controlled by horse like creatures known as, Houyhnms; the society is peaceful, happy, and unlike the islands of Liliput and Brobdingnag, is not governed by physical confrontations. However, there is an inferior race of people known as Yahoos, these people resemble that of humans and are trated with derision by the Houyhnms.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Please read me
If your seeking adventure this is the book for you. I love the classic and this is one of my favourites.
Published 2 days ago by caitlyn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Naive by modern standards but well worth a read.
So often when you hear of Gullivers Travels you remember his adventures in Lilliput and forget that this was just one chapter of his total adventure. Read more
Published 10 days ago by P. Williams
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Excellent
More than fits the bill and was exactly as described, delivered on time and well packed good service by the seller
Published 16 days ago by david
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
What can you say about a Book that is just a Classic. Better than all the trash that one sees
Published 1 month ago by Richard Agar
3.0 out of 5 stars
Book
It's a classic tale what more is there to say about it except now in electronic form and paper form.
Published 1 month ago by John Fulton
3.0 out of 5 stars
gulliver
Very strange book and hard to imagine it was written so long ago. Lost the plot a bit after Lilliput and eventually gave up
Published 1 month ago by D. STEVENS
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Brilliant!
Great value for money. Fast delivery and easy transaction.
I would order from you again. Five stars definitely!
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I would order from you again. Five stars definitely!
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Published 1 month ago by Amy Bates
3.0 out of 5 stars
Must read Classics
A classic of English literature, which is usually read by children but should be read as an adult to be able to appreciate its satirical qualities.
Published 1 month ago by cliff
1.0 out of 5 stars
Gt by Josh age 9
This book is not good and I think that it Mr swift is not a responsible writer and the person who came up with the idea is stupid
Published 2 months ago by Josh McDowell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Its great to find that you can get most of the classics for free on the Kindle. I have been working my way through them. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Shane Stewart
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