Book Cover of Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe

by Daniel Defoe

Robinson Crusoe is perhaps the most famous castaway of all time. Whilst many of us have not read Defoe’s iconic book, Robinson Crusoe is a character that is familiar to us all. Aided by the hundreds of movies and theatre productions that the book spurned, Crusoe is a household name. Credited with being the first "real fiction" book, this fictional autobiography tells the tale of a young man who found himself shipwrecked on a remote island for 28 years. The story is said to be based on the dramatic life of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish castaway who lived alone for four years on a Pacific island. With a recent trend in reality TV shows based on survival and being "castaway", everybody has ideas on how they would cope alone in the wild. So, why read this novel if we think we know best? The truth is, Defoe’s portrayal of the trials and tribulations of Crusoe give raw insight into the reality and loneliness of having no companionship and no hope. Described by Samuel T. Coleridge as "The Universal Man", there is certainly lots to admire, whether you like the character or not. Many imitations have been written over the years but nothing grabs the reader quite as much as Defoe’s tales of solitude and desperation. The book has a simple narrative and at times is overly descriptive but is always engaging. Adventure fans will love the jam packed action, where we see Crusoe taming animals, hunting, venturing into cannibalism plus the odd pirate or two. The modern reader is likely to struggle with some of the moral issues that the book brings to the surface, with dubious views on slavery and strong religious overtones but don’t let this put you off. The book is a classic for a reason, it provokes deep emotion whether that be negative or positive.

Book Details

Language

English

Original Language

English

Published In

1719

Authors

Daniel Defoe image

Daniel Defoe is known for his lively and vigorous style, full of articulate lucid details and illustrations. The thing that makes the writing of Daniel Defoe stand out more so than others is that he w...

Books by Daniel Defoe

Listen/Download Audiobook

Read by:
00:00
Playback Speed 1.0
00:00
  • Select Speed

Related books

Squinty the Comical Pig  Cover image

Squinty the Comical Pig by Richard Barnum

This comical children's tale about the funny adventures of a funny pig written by an unknown author. The publisher has hired authors to write children...

The Sandman's Hour  Cover image

The Sandman's Hour by Abbie Phillips Walker

Short bedtime stories for young children. Some were cute and others a little strange, but overall they were fairly interesting and enjoyable.

The Scarecrow of Oz Cover image

The Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Published in 1915, The Scarecrow of Oz is the ninth book in the Oz book series and focuses on the adventures of Cap’n Bill, Trot, and the Scarecrow, w...

Leading Events in the History of the Church: Part 1 - Christian Antiquity Cover image

Leading Events in the History of the Church: Part 1 - Christian Antiquity by The Sisters of Notre Dame

This book is the first volume in a series of Catholic Church history books written for children. It covers the time period from after Our Lord's death...

Songs Ysame Cover image

Songs Ysame by Annie Fellows Johnston

This collection of poems, "Songs Ysame," was a collaborative effort between sisters Albion Fellows Bacon and Annie Fellows Johnston. Known for their d...

Harper's Young People, Vol. 01, Issue 22, March 30, 1880 Cover image

Harper's Young People, Vol. 01, Issue 22, March 30, 1880 by Various

This volume, the 22nd issue of *Harper's Young People*, was published on March 30th, 1880, by Harper & Brothers, a renowned publishing house known for...

Kari the Elephant  Cover image

Kari the Elephant by Dhan Gopal Mukerji

"Kari, the elephant, was five months old when he was given to me to take care of. I was nine years old and I could reach his back if I stood on tiptoe...

Peterkin Papers Cover image

Peterkin Papers by Lucretia P. Hale

The Peterkins were a lovable but comically inept family that possess ingenuity, logic, resourcefulness, and energy--but not common sense. The general...

John Dough and the Cherub Cover image

John Dough and the Cherub by L. Frank Baum

John Dough and the Cherub is a whimsical adventure story about a sentient gingerbread man named John Dough who comes to life after a baker's wife acci...

Just So Stories Cover image

Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling

Written originally for his own children, Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories have continued to delight generations of youngsters since they were first p...

Reviews for Robinson Crusoe

No reviews posted or approved, yet...