Jeb
05-24-2005, 06:07 PM
Characteristic of mid-19th Century writing, this book is a bit long. Those raised on MTV and addicted to lack of content, but dazzling imagery, may find this book tedious and too detailed. But that is symptomatic of Modern American culture--it is shallow and superficial, having an appearance of substance, but generally lacking in character or quality. That is the appeal of Mysterious Island. It places people in a place where cultural trappings are stripped away. I liked this because the characters were honorable, cared about each other, and cared about ideals. THey did not deteriorate to The Lord of the Flies! I fear that many in are current culture, too enamored with youth (which brings us what?) would, if faced with something similar to the situation in the book, would resort to power and oppression. That is, after all, what we are taught now. Where is the respect for each other and ideals in music and literature now? Rap? Hip-hop? Romance novels? How about film? Hey, the film version of Mysterious Island was memorable . . . Mysterious Island is a book for people who can understand values such as concern for others rather than onesself. It is for those who can appreciate ideas above ones own self-gratification and appearance. In other words, few in our culture. I am afraid the fashion industry and much of the uselessness of contmporary culture would have not survived on Lincoln Island. That is part of the appeal. The survivors had to have things of value. Until placed in an environment such as that described, too many cannot fathom real worth. Friendship, for example, is worth far more than material junk.