Robinson Crusoe (Oxford World's Classics) by Daniel Defoe Thomas Keymer

by Daniel Defoe

Excellent Book

Genres: Classics, Fiction

Unknown Binding

About the author

Daniel Defoe was an English novelist, journalist, merchant, pamphleteer and spy. He is most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719, which is claimed to be second only to the Bible in its number of translations. He has been seen as one of the earliest proponents of the English novel, and helped to popularise the form in Britain with others such as Aphra Behn and Samuel Richardson. Defoe wrote many political tracts, was often in trouble with the authorities, and spent a period in prison. Intellectuals and political leaders paid attention to his fresh ideas and sometimes consulted him.
Defoe was a prolific and versatile writer, producing more than three hundred works—books, pamphlets, and journals—on diverse topics, including politics, crime, religion, marriage, psychology and the supernatural. He was also a pioneer of business journalism and economic journalism.

Reviews

[Alexa Giammaria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me :( He was stranded on that good forsaken island for 28 years and when he is saved there were no tears or a care in the world. And then he set sail on ANOTHER voyage?! Perhaps I’d like this book better if I was a man.

[Will Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Widely considered the first English Novel, one hasn’t read the English literary canon until you’ve covered Robinson Crusoe. The easiest way to describe this book - or rather, the core island narrative - is a snowball. By this I mean that the majority of Crusoe’s island stay is spent alone, gathering supplies, crafting tools or appliances, and taking stock of danger. Add to this some journeying, some frights, some breeding and some hunting, and you have the majority of the book. However, in the final third of the island narrative, events pick up pace tremendously, wherein the book becomes less a survival narrative, and more an adventure in the vein of Treasure Island - each conflict feeding the next escapade. I was certainly expecting Man Friday to make an appearance sooner, but he’s equally impactful with his late introduction, by which point things are in full flow, and it’s one incident after another. Overall, the description is good, the prose transporting, and the core morals and development sincere and enlightening. The opening passages in Great Yarmouth Road and Morocco set the context well, whereas the end journey over the Pyrenees felt unnecessary. An important book.

[Raman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the introduction, which tells us so much about the author of one of the very firsts novels in English literature. It’s a bit sad to learn that Defoe himself died hiding from creditors despite his success today. The story, wich deals with themes of isolation, colonialism, self-reliance, and a great deal of religion, was detailed enough for me to really put myself in Crusoe’s shoes. However, I found the ending rather unsatisfying and not as strong as the rest of the novel…

[Paul Besley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting to see how the first English novel was written, no speech marks etc. I remember the BBC series of the 60s and look back with fondness to teatime viewing after school. It wasn't that far from the book but I don't remember anything about cannibalism. This printing retains much of the old world spellings and that is interesting to see how the language has developed.

[Ann-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Likely the first novel in English, it’s an exciting adventure and a story of civilization. The colonizing mindset does trouble my 21st century sensibility, but it fits into a story that is full of moral choices. My only complaint is that I think he didn’t know how to end it.

[John Branigin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because Dickens and Collins both mention it in their books. It may have been an action-packed thriller in the 18th century, but it's a little too stiff for me. Also, too many animals killed by the protagonist.

[kylo · Rating 4 out of 5]

tamam en avrupali sensin dur artik

[Xavier Ibraheem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly entertaining for it being a book about some guy who gets stranded for 28 years. Also the racism and colonial outlook is problematic (another common problem of reading the “Classics”).