Very nice book for what it is: a children's story (though many children of our age wouldn't have the patience for a 472 page-long story.) It is a very good vocabulary-booster for one's young ones as well. The details of geography, flora and fauna were hilariously outlandish, and the wrecked ship that carried the family must have been an ancient supertanker, given the fact that it had EVERYTHING KNOWN TO MANKIND in its hold, including a supply of shot and gunpowder that would last the family more than a decade. But other than the humorously impossible bits, it was a good children's adventure. I was glad to spend the time with my ten year old son as we read it together. His frequent outbursts, comments and speculations proved that the book had thoroughly grabbed his imagination. For that I am grateful!
I might add a friendly warning for those of a squeamish nature with regards to animals, guns and hunting: the book might have appropriately been subtitled "SHOOT IT!" Every time the boys see a new and interesting animal, their immediate and automatic response is to shoot it dead. One needs to keep in mind that this was a book written in the 19th century, and sensibilities were much different back then. If one reads the book with tolerance, a good story is still very much in store.
I might add a friendly warning for those of a squeamish nature with regards to animals, guns and hunting: the book might have appropriately been subtitled "SHOOT IT!" Every time the boys see a new and interesting animal, their immediate and automatic response is to shoot it dead. One needs to keep in mind that this was a book written in the 19th century, and sensibilities were much different back then. If one reads the book with tolerance, a good story is still very much in store.
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