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The Swiss Family Robinson  By  cover art

The Swiss Family Robinson

By: Johann David Wyss
Narrated by: Norman Dietz
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Publisher's summary

Swept off course by a raging storm, a Swiss pastor, his wife, and their four young sons are shipwrecked on an uncharted tropical island. Thus begins the classic story of survival and adventure that has fired the imaginations of readers since it first appeared in 1812. With optimism and boundless enthusiasm, the Robinson family undertakes the extraordinary task of constructing a home for themselves and exploring the primitive island filled with strange and beautiful creatures and exotic fruits and plants.

Rich in action and suspense, this exhilarating novel takes us to a faraway place of danger and beauty, where the courageous Robinson family embarks on a thrilling new life of adventure and discovery.

Public Domain (P)2010 Tantor

What listeners say about The Swiss Family Robinson

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Not the Classic Translation Edition

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I bought this thinking it would be the classic story in it's original translation for my kids to listen to over the summer. Much to my dismay it is a re-translated version and has been modernized and much of the descriptive beauty in the story is lacking because of this. There are other editions that are much better.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book - poor quality

I have loved this book since I was a child and was excited about listening too it with my children. Since this was recorded this year I thought the quality wouldn't be an issue, but it was. It had the mid-range rattle of a poorly recorded book. Very disappointed as my boys will not listen to it because it hurts their ears.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • CT
  • 09-28-10

Great for engineers

I realize it's a classic but if you're not interested in the bits and bolts of how the family survives on the island then this isn't your book. With very little discernible plot - unless the plot is construction methods - this one can be tedious. Go over to Robinson Crusoe for a more adventurous read.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not what I remembered

Would you ever listen to anything by Johann David Wyss again?

I remember loving this book as a child... but on rereading it, I found it nauseating - the author was in line with his times, but thinks very poorly of the abilities of women; the protagonist was a God figure, always right and always moralizing; and the wanton butchering of the wildlife on the island, for the sake of killing rather than survival, did not impress me.

What didn’t you like about Norman Dietz’s performance?

Nope. I disliked his voice and reading style was very monotonous.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Only redeeming quality was that I was free and done with this book after losing 13 hours of my life...

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2 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Narrated like the news

The narration of this wonderful classic is so monotonous that neither the kids nor I could concentrate on the story for more them 5 minutes. Go for one of the other versions.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great classic!

so glad I finally got to enjoy this classic. is one everyone should know! do it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • Bc
  • 09-03-17

Abridged would be better

This version is just too long. It's a great story but drags on and on sounding the same after a while. It's the same thing over and over. We never finished it. Should have tried the abridged version.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful story

I re-read this book every couple of years. I read Robinson Crusoe first, then this one. They are brilliant together.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

amazing book.

I loved it, good family read.
this is a book everyone should read, the story is woven together by two great authors.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So descriptive and overall great!

I found my self forcing my self to stop reading the well thought and surprising chapters! No problems what so ever I loved it , it was easy to listen to and not stop. Well done Johann David Wyss!! Norman Dietz you did a wonderful job with the voices, and I found your voice easy to listen to. THANK YOU for this amazingness!

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