The Coral Island: A Tale of the Pacific Ocean (R. M. Ballantyne Collection) [Hardcover]

R. M. Ballantyne (Author)

Book Description

Series: R. M. Ballantyne Collection

Probably R.M. Ballantyne's most popular and thrilling tale, The Coral Island is a breathtaking account of narrow escapes, harrowing trials while stranded in the south Pacific, the very real need of the cannibalistic savages for the light of the Gospel, and the courage of three young adventurers.

Follow the journey of three boys---Ralph Rover, Jack Martin, and Peterkin Gay---as they survive on their own by the providence of God for months on end, encountering one exciting experience after another.

When their ship is wrecked, the boys find themselves marooned on a coral island in the Pacific where they must make the most of what they have. Necessity becomes their best teacher, and they quickly learn how to make weapons, hunt wild pigs, drink coconut lemonade, and battle both cutthroat pirates and savage cannibals, braving all sorts of dangers in true manly fashion.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 398 pages
• Publisher: Vision Forum, Inc. (May 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934554014
• ISBN-13: 978-1934554012
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,231,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, exciting adventure!, February 27, 2007

By 

B. Crossley "book addict" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Coral Island: A Tale of the Pacific Ocean (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

I loved this book, it had everything, suspense, intrigue and a desert island. It is really a classic, everyone should read it, I read it in high school and I recently purchased another copy to have for my kids. Anyone can love this book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but it is definitely a bit dated, September 12, 2010

By 

Charles Evans "Call me Kevin" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Coral Island: A Tale of the Pacific Ocean (R. M. Ballantyne Collection) (Hardcover)

I was excited to read "The Corral Island" since I am huge fan of Robinson Crusoe (Enriched Classics (Pocket)), The Mysterious Island (Modern Library Classics), Adrift in the Pacific: Two Years Holiday and I hoped that RM Ballantyne's was up to that level. It may have been to that level 150 years ago, but in 2010 it seems very dated.

Why?

- The dialogue is very dated. While this is primarily a book for children, but today's kids will not understand any of the book's dialogue. The characters speak in a colloquial mid 1800's English. Many of the phrases and terms are recognizable to people who have read a fair amount of British literature, but most kids will be lost.

- While the three are trapped on the island the story becomes TOO idyllic. The characters are all thrilled to be stranded on the island and are without a care in the world

- "The Corral Island' lacks the detail of the living conditions that make "The Mysterious Island" and "Robinson Crusoe" so enjoyable. While some of the plants are described (and some invented) there is a lack of ingenuity that is found in the other works.

- Apparently RM Ballantyne was a strong proponent of Christian Missionaries. While I am all for missionary work, Ballantyne takes more than a few liberties with how effective the missions worked. In "The Corral Island" the natives go from cannibals to civilized "brits" living in cottages and drinking tea in less than 1 year! Not only does the spread of Christianity make them want to dress like a european it also makes them learn English ...again in less than 1 year!

Final Verdict - there are moments that enjoyable, but for the most part "The Corral Island" is a mid-1800's adventure that really does not translate well to a 21st century reader. While I will not recommend the story - it may be an option for those of us who enjoy these types of adventure stories.

3 Stars

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Coral Island (Hardcover) by R. M. Ballantyne, May 4, 2009

By 

Thomas Carr "Allan Carr" (Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Coral Island: A Tale of the Pacific Ocean (R. M. Ballantyne Collection) (Hardcover)

The Coral Island (Hardcover) by R. M. Ballantyne
This is a wonderful book filled full of adventure with 3 boys marooned on a South Pacific Island in the 1800's. I read this as a young teenager and now in my 50's it is still wonderful to read. A must to have for those who like adventure.