The 19th century was a time of
transmigration for Europe. Thousands left continental shores for lands
abroad, South America, Australia, the US, and beyond. Ship travel the only method to access most of
these destinations, the sea wasn’t always forgiving. Not a few were sent to a watery grave, others
crashing on strange shores. Johann David
Wyss’ 1812 The Swiss Family Robinson is
the fantasy-esque tale of one such shipwreck.
The novel opens with said wreck. The only remaining survivors a family of six,
the group struggles to get ashore and find their bearings. A father, mother, and four sons, what follows
is a narrative recounting exotic survival in the wilds. The group slowly explores the island they now
call home. They build better and safer
homes, fight for life with food and predators, and towards the end of the novel,
have an encounter they’d never dreamed of.
Adventure in the purest form, getting caught up in the family’s
escapades of everyday life is a joy.
