Tharindu Dissanayake's Reviews > The Mysterious Island

"Before all masters, necessity is the one most listened to, and who teaches the best."

This book is one of the most complete books I have ever read - literally. One one hand, it contains what we normally look for in a book like this, elements related to a great adventure. Then on the other hand it has so much more what we would never expect: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Astrology, Navigation, Cultivation, Food Production, Metallurgy, Biology, Medicine and so many more, not in mere statements, but in very descriptive explanations. I did not at all expected this book to contain so much information. Personally, I found those fascinating, as I love all things Engineering. I also imagined the regular reader might not like this as much. But it's quite a wonder how well this book has been received by many readers, and has not been criticized for being over-descriptive (or boring).

"Civilization never recedes; the law of necessity ever forces it onwards."

Sure, it's a long book, but that does not take away a bit from the sense of adventure and mystery it offers. If you're a big fan of adventure books, living the life of those characters over their long, eventful, and ever thrilling journey is one of the best reading experiences one can have. Well, if I do ever get marooned on an island, I don't think I'll be out of ideas now :)

"Sir, your error was in supposing that the past can be resuscitated, and in contending against inevitable progress. It is one of those errors which some admire, others blame; which God alone can judge."