Customer Reviews

Coral Island: A Tale of the Pacific Ocean

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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

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.