I finished my second book of the year 3 weeks ago: Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift.
Rating: Pass
Up until this point, I had never read this book, but its references are unavoidable in modern society and I considered it an essential read. I will be blunt. I was greatly underwhelmed by the book. Sure, there are all types of underlining literary themes, and it is considered a precursor to the modern novel, as well as a satirical tale of human nature and a spoof adventure tale, but I found it rather dull. Swift's writing is neither intriguing nor beautiful.
The story is divided into four parts--the four journeys of the fictional Lamuel Gulliver. The most popular portion of the book, Part 1: The Voyage to Lilliput, finds our protagonist stranded on a remote island that is a complete miniature world. Swift describes how Gulliver is a giant in the land and a variety of his adventures. Parts 2, 3, and 4 describe Gulliver's adventures in a land of giants, arts and mathematics, horses and yahoos respectively.
Swift's writing, may be consider essential, but with the plethora of written works available today, I didn't find this work to be worth the time.
2 comments:
Read it again, my friend.
...However I thanked him for his good opinion and promised to take the matter into my thoughts...
glad to see that you are reading though. GEB has continued to conquer me, the fourth attack only got me 2/3s of the way through. i am weak. perhaps this summer i shall try again.
I agree completely with Stephen. Swift bored me to tears!
Post a Comment