The Swiss Family Robinson (Version 2)

Johann David Wyss (1743 - 1818) and Johann Rudolf Wyss (1782 - 1830)

First published in 1812, The Swiss Family Robinson may sometimes seem old-fashioned to modern readers, especially the family’s attitude toward wildlife (if it moves, shoot it). However, it’s a truly exciting adventure and a timeless story of warm and loving family life.

As the narrator says: “It was written... for the instruction and amusement of my children... Children are, on the whole, very much alike everywhere, and you four lads fairly represent multitudes... It will make me happy to think that my simple narrative may lead some of these to observe how blessed are the results of patient continuance in well-doing, what benefits arise from the thoughtful application of knowledge and science, and how good and pleasant a thing it is when brethren dwell together in unity, under the eye of parental love.”

Written by Swiss pastor Johann David Wyss and edited by his son Johann Rudolf Wyss (this edition lists J.R. as the author), the novel was intended to teach his four sons about family values, good husbandry, the uses of the natural world, and self-reliance. It’s fun to think of the long-ago author reading his own books of natural history and creating this novel to share his interests with his boys. (summary by Kara)

Genre(s): Action & Adventure

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Ch.1 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:37:31
Play 02 Ch.2 Pt.1 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:25:22
Play 03 Ch.2 Pt.2 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:29:23
Play 04 Ch.3 Pt.1 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:33:12
Play 05 Ch.3 Pt.2 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:27:45
Play 06 Ch.4 Pt.1 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:22:18
Play 07 Ch.4 Pt.2 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:16:14
Play 08 Ch.5 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:32:29
Play 09 Ch.6 Pt.1 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:19:06
Play 10 Ch.6 Pt.2 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:20:43
Play 11 Ch.7 Pt.1 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:23:43
Play 12 Ch.7 Pt.2 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:26:06
Play 13 Ch.8 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:37:41
Play 14 Ch.9 Pt.1 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:30:36
Play 15 Ch.9 Pt.2 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:34:03
Play 16 Ch.10 Pt.1 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:23:57
Play 17 Ch.10 Pt.2 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:23:14
Play 18 Ch.11 Pt.1 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:17:32
Play 19 Ch.11 Pt.2 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:21:49
Play 20 Ch.12 Pt.1 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:25:44
Play 21 Ch.12 Pt.2 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:26:26
Play 22 Ch.13 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:31:48
Play 23 Ch.14 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:25:28
Play 24 Ch.15 Pt.1 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:20:12
Play 25 Ch.15 Pt.2 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:22:03
Play 26 Ch.16 Pt.1 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:21:53
Play 27 Ch.16 Pt.2 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:20:56
Play 28 Ch.17 Pt.1 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:13:09
Play 29 Ch.17 Pt.2 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:29:04
Play 30 Ch.18 Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
00:27:57