Author Jonathan Swift
First published 1726
Publisher Benjamin Motte
Gulliver sets off to see the world and finds himself in a number of fantastical countries.
Story
After his business collapses, Lemuel Gulliver, a ship’s surgeon, sets sail around the world. When his ship is wrecked on uncharted shores and he is taken captive, he has the first of many encounters with exotic people and creatures in fantastical lands, and Gulliver comes to see his own homeland with different eyes.
Why we chose it
Gulliver’s Travels is both a classic satire, which has influenced and inspired many later authors and an imaginative travel fantasy, which appeals to children.
Where it came from
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) was an essayist and poet. He wrote Gulliver’s Travels during a time of British exploration and expansion as a parody of the romantic travel journals common at the time. The novel is a commentary on British politics and culture.
Where it went next
Although it faced some criticism upon publication due to its political implications, Gulliver’s Travels was well received by the public. There have been numerous sequels and works inspired by the original novel and many film adaptations.
Associated stories
Other well-known satire by Swift includes: A Tale of a Tub and A Modest Proposal.
Author Jonathan Swift
First published 1726
Publisher Benjamin Motte