Jonathan Swifts classic satirical narrative was first published in 1726. seven, years after Defoes Robinson Crusoe (one of its few rivals in fame and breadth of appeal). As a parody travel-memoir it reports on extraordinary lands and societies, whose names have entered the English language: notably the minute inhabitants of Lilliput the giants of Brobdingnag, and the Yahoos in Houyhnhnmland. where talking horses are the dominant species.
It spares no vested interest from its irreverent wit. and its attacks on political and financial corruption, as well as abuses in science, continue to resonate in our own times.
Wordsworth Classics are inexpensive editions designed to appeal to the general reader and students. We commissioned teachers and specialists to write wide ranging, jargon-free introductions and to provide notes that would assist the understanding of our readers rather than interpret the stories for them. In the same spirit, because the pleasures of reading are inseparable from the surprises, secrets and revelations that all narratives contain, we strongly advise you to enjoy this book before turning to the Introduction.
About ten days ago [wrote John Gay in England to his friend Swift in Ireland] a Book was publishd here of the Travels of one Gulliver, which hath been the conversation of the whole town ever since: the whole impression sold in a weel: and nothing is more diverting than to hear the different opinions people give of it,though all agree in liking it extreamly. ’Tis generally said that you are the Author, but I am told, the Bookseller declares he knows not from what hand it came. From the highest to the lowest, it is universally read, from the Cabinet-council to the Nursery.
ADVERTISEMENT
A LETTER FROM CAPT.GULLIVER
TO HIS COUSIN SYMPSON
THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER
PART ONE-A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
PART TWO-A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
PART THREE-A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA,BALNIBARBI,LUGGNAGG,GLUBBDUBDRIB AND JAPAN
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
PART THREE-A VOYAGE TO THE HOUYHNHNMS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
