The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

The Mysterious Island
Week 4 (July 8 - 14) Part 2, Chapters 12 - 20

1) This week our colonists took their maiden voyage in the Bonadventure which was flying their Lincolnian flag. During this short voyage, they found a message in a bottle that noted a castaway on Tabor Island. This brought the question of that voyage to an end. The colonists felt it necessary to make the journey to bring the stranded man back to their island. Not knowing anything else, do you think the group made the right choice?

2) The stranger they found on Tabor Island was more a wild animal than a man. If you were in their shoes, would you have taken the risk of bringing this man back to Lincoln Island?

3) After a long period of adjustment the stranger explained the conditions of his being marooned on Tabor Island. While the colonists have forgiven him, he can't seem to forgive himself. In the long run, do you see him integrating into the group? Why? Or why not?

4) Harding has a discussion with the group about multiple unexplained occurrences on the island. Do you think all these occurrences have nonsupernatural explanations? Do you think the group will find answers to their questions about these occurrences?

5) I enjoyed the reading this week more than any other week. There was less technical jargon and more adventure. How did this week's reading come across to you?

I suppose, given the nature of the story, Ayrton will redeem himself.
They've killed a lot of rabbits and other animals for food. Why haven't they been keeping and using the furs, I wonder?
Since I watch a lot of classic horror and sci-fi, I naturally expected the implied "other residents" of the island to be malevolent or at least territorial, but what/whoever else lives there has been benefiting the colonists, so now I'm not sure what to expect.

Gem wrote: "5) I enjoyed the reading this week more than any other week. There was less technical jargon and more adventure. How did this week's reading come across to you?."

I had the same feeling and I bet that's a generally shared sentiment. The book is heading into the last third and is picking up the pace as it leads into what I anticipate will be more exciting and climactic events, that I hope are done well.

I think Ayrton will gradually become part of this group because it appears that he is already beginning to trust and heal. Slow steps make sense for someone who feels so guilty and has also suffered great trauma. This section moved along at a better pace, with a little more action and less dry narrative.