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jayseewhy's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up on a whim (mostly to avoid starting the next book in the Dark Tower series) and was pleasantly surprised.
The book is a harsh satire of the people and institutions of its time but most of the criticisms still feel relevant today.
Here’s a great quote from the book regarding lawyers:
“They were usually the most ignorant and stupid generation among us, the most despicable in common conversation, avowed enemies to all knowledge and learning, and equally disposed to pervert the general reason of mankind in every other subject of discourse as in that of their own profession.”
The book is a harsh satire of the people and institutions of its time but most of the criticisms still feel relevant today.
Here’s a great quote from the book regarding lawyers:
“They were usually the most ignorant and stupid generation among us, the most despicable in common conversation, avowed enemies to all knowledge and learning, and equally disposed to pervert the general reason of mankind in every other subject of discourse as in that of their own profession.”
jitteryjoe's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I was going to read this in the library at school when I was a child but when it was my turn unfortunately the teacher called us to come back to the classroom. Then this book got lost and I forgot about it. It was just recently that I went to a second hand bookstore and found this 30 years later. I took my sweet time reading this. Again. Totally worth it. Could be nostalgia but I loved it nonetheless.
javinki_'s review against another edition
3.0
"a first or chief minister of state [...] makes use of no other passions, but a violent desire of wealth, power, and titles; that he applies his words to all uses, except to the indication of his mind; that he never tells a truth but with an intent that you should take it for a lie; nor a lie, but with a design that you should take it for a truth; that those he speaks worst of behind their backs are in the surest way of preferment"
Easy to read and pretty engaging - I definitely get why it's usually posited as a kid's book. It was much more political than I was expecting though, and depressingly relevant in some ways. Still - it didn't quite do it for me. Not a Swifty.
Easy to read and pretty engaging - I definitely get why it's usually posited as a kid's book. It was much more political than I was expecting though, and depressingly relevant in some ways. Still - it didn't quite do it for me. Not a Swifty.
timmytunter's review
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Colonisation
artasin_workof's review against another edition
4.0
Read this about five maybe six times for school now, the amount of shit and piss jokes will never not take me by surprise
jenmangler's review against another edition
2.0
Not really my cup of tea, though I did find parts of it interesting and/or amusing. If I'd been alive when the book came out I probably would have loved it. Reading it today, the writing just felt boring and dry. Also, there were things I could not get past. For example, in between his voyages, Gulliver's home for about a minute and a half before he decides to return to the sea. Why, Gulliver, why? Things never go well for you when you're at sea. What is wrong with you?!
dnandrews797's review against another edition
3.0
The language was a little clunky but was more than made up for with the absolute roast of human civilization (particularly the barbarity and self righteousness of British colonialization). The man had the audacity to end a book full of sardonic fairy tales with an authors note saying all of it was true and that the British wouldn’t have any interest in the lands he found since their inhabitants didn’t desire slavery to thier empire. Mic drop. Houston I am deceased.
suekken's review against another edition
1.5
WHAT A BORE !!!!
Oh my god, I couldn't wait for this book to end. It took me so long because it's an incredibly boring book.
I was sold an epic tale of adventure and even the cover said it was a 'story to be read an re-read' and I can't think of a worse thing to do with your life.
I understand that the story was written long ago but in my opinion just because it is a classic doesn't mean it automatically is a good read.
Oh my god, I couldn't wait for this book to end. It took me so long because it's an incredibly boring book.
I was sold an epic tale of adventure and even the cover said it was a 'story to be read an re-read' and I can't think of a worse thing to do with your life.
I understand that the story was written long ago but in my opinion just because it is a classic doesn't mean it automatically is a good read.
brisingr's review against another edition
2.0
Enjoyed the writing style, like the first tens of pages, but it all went downhill from then.