by 
Title and Author: Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan SwiftPrint Length: 240 Pages
Publication Date: 1726
Language: English
Genre: Humour, Satire, Classics, Action, Adventure
My Review:
Lemuel Gulliver was a surgeon and also loved to travel. This
book divided into four parts narrates his adventures while travelling to the
remote nations of the world. During his travels, he is shipwrecked and washed
ashore on an island inhabited by tiny people called the Lilliputians who make
him a prisoner. The first part deals with his adventures on Lilliput. The
second part of the book tracks his adventures on Brobdingnag where he is abandoned
by his companions and found by a farmer, thus starting his misadventures on
this land inhabited by huge people. The third part takes Gulliver to the flying
island of Laputa which is the home of mathematicians and artists who are unable
to use their talents to practical ends. The final part of the story leaves
Gulliver meeting the Houyhnhnms who are a race of horses ruling the Yahoos, the
humans in their base form.
book divided into four parts narrates his adventures while travelling to the
remote nations of the world. During his travels, he is shipwrecked and washed
ashore on an island inhabited by tiny people called the Lilliputians who make
him a prisoner. The first part deals with his adventures on Lilliput. The
second part of the book tracks his adventures on Brobdingnag where he is abandoned
by his companions and found by a farmer, thus starting his misadventures on
this land inhabited by huge people. The third part takes Gulliver to the flying
island of Laputa which is the home of mathematicians and artists who are unable
to use their talents to practical ends. The final part of the story leaves
Gulliver meeting the Houyhnhnms who are a race of horses ruling the Yahoos, the
humans in their base form.
First published in 1726, this
book got immediate popularity and has never gone out-of-print since. This book,
written by Jonathan Swift who was a clergyman as well as an Irish writer, is a satire
on human nature as well as a parody of the “traveller’s tales” literary
sub-genre. Considered the best work by Swift and also an English literature
classic, Cavehill in Belfast is thought to be the inspiration for this book.
The book is also a satire on the state of the European government. Swift
questions whether a man is inherently corrupt or does he become corrupt with
time and company. This book is valid even today and one can relate the events
to the hypocrisy, corruption and politics of the human race prevalent in the
present times.
The book is written in the first person with
Gulliver as the narrator. The writing is simple and feels almost bland. There
is no self reflection or any emotional touch to the narration. The plot is
meticulously planned and executed and it shows that Swift knew exactly what he
wanted from each scenario/character in the book. The development of the characters
is admirable and the reader is able to visualize and connect with each
behavioral shift in their nature. Gulliver, who is practical and initially
abhorred by politics and the viciousness of people gradually, changes to a man
with a hard attitude who is no longer shocked by the hypocrisy and the
politicking nature of the humans. A satire that is valid even today, Swift is
successfully able to shed light on several aspects of human nature.
Gulliver as the narrator. The writing is simple and feels almost bland. There
is no self reflection or any emotional touch to the narration. The plot is
meticulously planned and executed and it shows that Swift knew exactly what he
wanted from each scenario/character in the book. The development of the characters
is admirable and the reader is able to visualize and connect with each
behavioral shift in their nature. Gulliver, who is practical and initially
abhorred by politics and the viciousness of people gradually, changes to a man
with a hard attitude who is no longer shocked by the hypocrisy and the
politicking nature of the humans. A satire that is valid even today, Swift is
successfully able to shed light on several aspects of human nature.
This is an intelligent piece of work and I was
hooked till the very end and then left to reflect on what I had just read. A
book that raises questions when read by adults is also capable of being read by
children who will find it humorous, witty and imaginative. This is the beauty
of the book as well the genius of the writer. A must read. 4.5 out of 5 to Gulliver’s Travels.
Buy From:Amazon.com: Paperback | Kindle Ebook
hooked till the very end and then left to reflect on what I had just read. A
book that raises questions when read by adults is also capable of being read by
children who will find it humorous, witty and imaginative. This is the beauty
of the book as well the genius of the writer. A must read. 4.5 out of 5 to Gulliver’s Travels
.Buy From:Amazon.com: Paperback
| Kindle EbookAmazon.in: Paperback
Flipkart.com: Paperback | EBook
