The Coral Island
- First published
- 1858
- Reading level
- Plain English
- Price
- Free
About the book
"The Coral Island: A Tale of the Pacific Ocean" by R. M. Ballantyne is a novel published in 1857. Three boys survive a shipwreck and find themselves marooned on a South Pacific island, where they must navigate survival and unexpected dangers. This pioneering work of juvenile fiction features exclusively young heroes confronting both external threats and moral challenges. The novel explores themes of Christianity, imperialism, and leadership, presenting an optimistic view of civilization that would later inspire William Golding's darker reimagining in "Lord of the Flies."
- Conduct of life
- Shipwreck survival
- Islands
- Pirates
- Camping
- Natural history
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #646. The Coral Island on Wikipedia.
