“A masterwork of irony…that contains both a dark and bitter meaning and a joyous, extraordinary creativity of imagination. That’s why it has lived for so long." Malcolm Bradbury, author of The History Man
Description
This enduring classic tells of the fantastic voyages of Lemuel Gulliver, an English ship's surgeon who becomes a castaway in strange and faraway lands. Shipwrecked upon the shores of Lilliput, he encounters the six-inch-high Lilliputians, whose petty wars, civil strife, and vanities are human follies so reduced in scale as to be rendered ridiculous. From there he travels on to Brobdingnag, where he finds himself surrounded by crude giants who cannot appreciate his abstract intellect and prefer to display him as a curiosity. Further voyages take Gulliver to the floating island of Laputa, a land of intellectuals who are ignorant of practical life, and to the Island of Sorcerers, who share with him the lies of history. Finally, he visits the land of the Houyhnhnms, a race of wise and gentle horses served by degenerate humanlike creatures. Gulliver's travels are entertaining adventures that also offer him new, bitter insights into human behavior. Both an amusing fantasy and a devastating satire of society, Gulliver's Travels is as witty and relevant in our own age of hypocrisy and irony as it was in Swift's eighteenth century.
Beneath the surface of this enchanting fantasy lurks a devastating critique of human malevolence, stupidity, greed, vanity, and short-sightedness. A brilliant combination of adventure, humor, and philosophy,Gulliver's Travelsis one of literature's most durable masterpieces.
Praise
“A masterwork of irony…that contains both a dark and bitter meaning and a joyous, extraordinary creativity of imagination. That’s why it has lived for so long." Malcolm Bradbury, author of The History Man
“One of the masterpieces of satire among the world’s literature.” Masterpieces of World Literature
“A multifarious book, it is various in its appeal: it is enchantingly playful and fantastic and is often read by children; it is a witty, allegorical depiction of the political life and values of Swift’s time; it is a bitter denunciation of mankind; finally it is Swift’s reflections on man’s corruption of his highest attribute, reason.” The Reader’s Encyclopedia
“Here is a book come out, that all our people of taste run mad about…and very wonderful it is.” Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
Details
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Release Day | Jan 31, 2007 |
| Release Date | February 1, 2007 |
| Release Date Machine | 1170288000 |
| Imprint | Blackstone Publishing |
| Provider | Craig Black |
| Categories | Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Classics, Literary Fiction, Action & Adventure, Classics, Evergreen Classics, Evergreen Classics, Classics, Fiction - All, Fiction - Adult |
Author Bio
Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) was an Anglo-Irish priest, author, journalist, political pamphleteer, and poet. He is primarily known as a prose satirist for such works as “A Modest Proposal.” The dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral from 1713, he was considered Dublin’s foremost citizen.
Narrator Bio
Pamela Garelick was born in England. She acted in fringe theater there before coming to the United States, where she has worked as a voice-over artist in television and radio and as an audiobook narrator. Now living and working in Greece, she records, translates, and edits voice-overs from all over the world as well as narrating audiobooks in a small studio in her Mediterranean garden. She also paints silk clothing, bakes for the local cafés, and teaches newcomers the Greek language.
Overview
This enduring classic tells of the fantastic voyages of Lemuel Gulliver, an English ship's surgeon who becomes a castaway in strange and faraway lands. Shipwrecked upon the shores of Lilliput, he encounters the six-inch-high Lilliputians, whose petty wars, civil strife, and vanities are human follies so reduced in scale as to be rendered ridiculous. From there he travels on to Brobdingnag, where he finds himself surrounded by crude giants who cannot appreciate his abstract intellect and prefer to display him as a curiosity. Further voyages take Gulliver to the floating island of Laputa, a land of intellectuals who are ignorant of practical life, and to the Island of Sorcerers, who share with him the lies of history. Finally, he visits the land of the Houyhnhnms, a race of wise and gentle horses served by degenerate humanlike creatures. Gulliver's travels are entertaining adventures that also offer him new, bitter insights into human behavior. Both an amusing fantasy and a devastating satire of society, Gulliver's Travels is as witty and relevant in our own age of hypocrisy and irony as it was in Swift's eighteenth century.
Beneath the surface of this enchanting fantasy lurks a devastating critique of human malevolence, stupidity, greed, vanity, and short-sightedness. A brilliant combination of adventure, humor, and philosophy,Gulliver's Travelsis one of literature's most durable masterpieces.
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