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About Masterman Ready (Abridged)

"Masterman Ready, or the Wreck of the Pacific" by Capt. Frederick Marryat, follows the adventures of a devoutly Christian family (The Seagraves) and their servant (Juno) who are shipwrecked at sea and find themselves having to survive on a desert island. The crew has abandoned them apart from an old sailor, Masterman Ready who is also a Christian and who initially assists them in finding the island and subsequently helps them to survive in that hostile environment. They face many obstacles including an attack by savages, but through their faith and Ready's wisdom and experience they find the strength and courage to get through all the trials and tribulations they come up against. During their time on the island, Ready tells them the story of his life, which is a tale in itself within the main story. The Christian element is fundamental to the story, and the Seagraves and Ready's faith in God and the Bible is a recurring one. First published in 1841, this story is an adult and young person's novel in the style of "The Swiss Family Robinson" by Johann Wyss and indeed, it was written in response to that book. As an experienced sailor himself, Marryat thought that Wyss had romanticized being shipwrecked and had issues with Wyss's knowledge of the wildlife, flora, and fauna of the area.