Librivox recording of The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss.

Read by Mark F. Smith.

The Swiss Family Robinson has delighted generations of readers with its exciting tale of a family which, though shipwrecked, displays “the right stuff” and builds a charming colony that later, they do not want to leave. Cut off from the comforts and companionship of other humans, they use a familiarity with natural history and biology to find the resources and build the tools to construct a canoe, weave cloth, irrigate a garden, and turn an immense hollow tree into a lofty house with a spiral staircase. They domesticate buffaloes, wild asses, and monkeys. They establish farms and plantations. And finally, they have a terrifying encounter with natives from a nearby island.

Johann David Wyss, the author, did not live to complete his tale. Storytellers over the years have injected so many episodes into the various versions that probably none closely match the original. (Indeed, the Baroness de Montholieu expanded the book from two volumes into five when she translated it into French.) This effort was re-translated into English in 1849 by W.H.G. Kingston, abridging the edition severely. It follows the British sensibilities of the period in terms of sentence structure and emphasis. (Summary by Mark F. Smith)

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M4B format available


This audio is part of the collection: The LibriVox Free Audiobook Collection
It also belongs to collections: Audio Books & Poetry; Community Audio

Artist/Composer: Johann David Wyss
Source: Librivox recording of a public-domain text
Keywords: librivox; swiss family robinson; wyss; audiobook; literature

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: kensgirl91 - - January 6, 2013
Subject: Wonderful
Wonderful story and Fabulous reader.

Reviewer: Steve Colby - - October 19, 2012
Subject: Excellent Reader Mark Smith
This timeless Classic was the first audiobook I read here at Librivox. I was so impressed by the reader, Mark Smith's style that I read another one of his books and another and so on. I found myself reading books that I never would have read because I enjoyed his style of reading so much. He is one of the top contributors here a Librivox and I am so thankful that he devoted such a huge amount of his time to this project. If there was a way I could donate money to this organization I would but from what I understand, there is no mechanism in place to do so.

Reviewer: Walking Reader - - April 11, 2011
Subject: Excellent Reading
This is a wonderful classic story, very well read by Mark F. Smith. The story is well known and does not need comment. The focus of this review is Mark Smith's terrific reading. He reads in a very clear voice and with an engaging style, which together do a great job in conveying the author's intent and holding the listener's interest. I highly recommend it. I'm amazed that with over 600,000 downloads this is the first review of this terrific audio book. Great job Mark, and many thanks for all of your effort in preparing this!