The Coral Island (Puffin Classics) [Abridged] [Mass Market Paperback]

R. M. Ballantyne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1995 | Series: Puffin Classics

When the three sailor lads, Ralph, Jack and Peterkin are cast ashore after the storm, their first task is to find out whether the island is inhabited. Their next task is to find a way of staying alive. They go hunting and learn to fish, explore underwater caves and build boats - but then their island paradise is rudely disturbed by the arrival of pirates.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Michael Ballantyne was born in Scotland in 1825. As a young man he went to Canada to work as a clerk with the Hudson Bay Fur Company. His experiences gave him lots of ideas for his career as a writer, artist and lecturer when he returned to Scotland. His best known for his novel The Coral Island which has remained in print since its first publication in 1857. He died in 1894.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (August 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140367616
• ISBN-13: 978-0140367614
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #941,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is timeless, November 9, 2006

By 

Kenneth Burke (Cheyenne, WY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Coral Island (Puffin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

I read "The Coral Island" after reading Lord of the Flies. William Golding used Coral Island as the foundation for his book. The common elements are a desert island, boys named Jack, Ralph, and Peterkin (who he renamed Simon \biblical/). It then goes in a completely different direction by having the boys in LOTF decend into man's terrible nature (Golding's view). I am intrigued by Golding's view given his religious background, but that is a subject for a different review. Knowing that Golding "updated" Coral Island I read it to see the comparisons. What a delightful surprise! The Coral Island is a great read (I've had two sons and two daughters read it since). Some people seem to be bothered by its religous undertones. I think some people are offended by the mere mention of anything christian in the public square. The abridged editions take out some of the Christian teachings - I wished they hadn't, it would only add to the flavor of the story. Most people reading it will not see it as a religious story, rather, just a fun and fast paced action story with a good sense of morality. Golding apparently read this book as a child and when he wanted to restate the human condition used the original story to show how boys would really react if stranded on an island - I like Ballantyne's view better!

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beware!, July 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Coral Island (Puffin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

I didn't realize this at the time, but it's abridged. Unabridged prints of this book are no longer available. In order to get such a copy, you will need to buy it used!

38 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Paperback version is abridged!, August 10, 2001

By 

"[e-mail]" (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Coral Island (Puffin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

I am unhappy to learn that the Penquin paperback edition of The Coral Island turns out to be an ABRIDGED edition.

Amazon.com's description of this book does not mention this important detail. I only learned this fact by reading the book's back cover (and comparing it to the etext downloadable edition).

Sadly, had I first looked up this book on Barnes & Noble.com I would have been told the book is abridged. Their description states: [BARNES & NOBLE.COM description]

The Coral Island ---

R.M. Ballantyne

Retail Price: $3.99 --- Our Price: $3.59 --- You Save: $0.40 (10%) --- In Stock:Ships within 24 hours

Format: Paperback, 296pp. --- ISBN: 0140367616 --- Publisher: Penguin USA --- Pub. Date: July 1995

Edition Desc: Abridged --- Recommend Age Range: 12 and up --- [End of description]

Although the paperpack book is only $3.59, this little problem becomes a big issue -- how many of amazon's book offerings are less than the real thing?