The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe

by Daniel Defoe

The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe relates the story of a man's shipwreck on a desert island and his subsequent adventures. Epistolary, confessional, and didactic in form, the book is presented as an autobiography of the title character —a castaway who spends thirty years on a remote tropical island near Trinidad, encountering cannibals, captives, and mutineers, before ultimately being rescued.

The story has been perceived to be based on the life of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish castaway who lived for four years on a Pacific island called "Más a Tierra", now part of Chile, which was renamed Robinson Crusoe Island in 1966. "The Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" describes how Crusoe settled in Bedford, married and produced a family, and that when his wife died, he went off on further adventures. Crusoe first returns to his island, and after that, circumstances take him off to Madagascar, then to Southeast Asia and China, and finally to Siberia.

The story is speculated to be partially based on Moscow embassy secretary Adam Brand's journal detailing the embassy's journey from Moscow to Peking from 1693 to 1695. "Serious Reflections of Robinson Crusoe" is a collection of essays on spiritual and ethical subjects, written supposedly by Robinson Crusoe in his old years as he contemplates on the story of his life. Though sometimes noticeably dreary, it is quite interesting at some points, as it reveals some Defoe's ideas about morality and religion. Daniel Defoe (1660-1731), was an English writer, journalist, and spy, most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe. Defoe is noted for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, and he is considered one of the founders of the English novel.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Adventure

397 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1719

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

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be an interesting read. It is a very detailed and fun account of how a man could live on an island alone and make do from a shipwreck.

I love any moment where Friday speaks English, it always brings a smile to my face.

The story includes how a sinful man can come to know God even while isolated in the world.

The conclusion leaves me wanting a little, but I think it is a worthwhile read.

[Kieran McKenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really wanted to like this more. Thought there’d be much more included about solitary survival and adventure aspects, but it was quite mundane (and frankly boring) for the first half of the book. Defoe spent an inordinate amount of time detailing minutiae and repeating in journal format what he already shared in verse that made getting through this relatively short 226 pages much more of a chore rather than a pleasure. Understanding that it was a different time (published in 1719), I was appreciative of the more formal language and tone of the writing and even enjoyed looking up some words I didn’t know. This is primarily why I’ve rated it with 2 stars instead of the 1 star it likely deserves. Glad I stuck with finishing this ‘classic’, but be prepared for much more hype around this tale than substance

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites that carries on from my younger days.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1719, at nearly sixty years of age, Daniel Defoe wrote his first work of fiction.
These 300 years later, the adventures of Robinson Crusoe still ignites the imagination.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this reread from over 40 years ago. The discussion of how Christianity affected Crusoe's decisions (or not) in the story and his self reflection on his actions was interesting throughout. Seeing him vacillate back and forth between what would be right / wrong in his eyes or in the eyes of God was interesting. What appears to be good for you in the short or long term may in fact be bad for you and vice versa. I couldn't help but read some the 1* reviews and was appalled at the venom some current day readers heaped on this book because the culture, morals and religious views were different 300 years ago than they are today.

[sabrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

my god why did he just not give up after the first year...

[Jon Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a relaxing read. I liked the solitary nature of the book, with Robinson Crusoe trapped on an island by himself for years.

[Matt Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

300 years old and very readable today. A classic adventure novel and debatably Englands first novel. It defined a genre, but it also has so much meaning to it that’s not talked about. Lots of Christian philosophy in this novel, from the beginning when he compares himself to the Prodigal son, to later when he civilizes a cannibal through converting him to Protestantism, teaching him it’s wrong to eat humans and why. A microcosm of what Christian ethics really did to create the modern civilized world as we know it. Excellent descriptions of his survival decisions, battles with enemies he had to undertake to free himself and then later closure to the story. A classic that I think anyone can enjoy and get something out of. I am really surprised I had so much to say about this book. Beautifully written in classic English but not difficult or too wordy. There are some antiquated moral elements in the novel, particularly the presence of slavery, which Robinson experiences on both sides of that relationship. Nevertheless I think this book still holds up solid today. To me the Big 3 of Island adventure novels were Treasure Island, Swiss Family Robinson, and Robinson Crusoe. Between the 3 this is the oldest, and might be the best.

[April Birchall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually thought it was a pretty good book, but would have been better if it had been a little shorter. The intro was a little drab. I would think he was getting to a point, and it would move in a whole other direction.
His life stranded was interesting. I felt he had a truthful reaction to his situation. He hated it, realized he had to deal with it, came to appreciate it, but was never really thankful for it. He was able to spend time reflecting on his life and growing closer to God. Somehow, though, all these bad things happened to him, people were throwing themselves at him to become his slaves. How convenient for him, yet unfortunate for the others. At least he wasn't as inhuman as the Spanish with the Inquisition.
When he left the island, I was surprised at how much the story continued. I then realized, he still had more life to live outside his island.
Unlike other unabridged books I've experienced, Robinson Crusoe didn't have never-ending chapters that sapped the energy out of the story. So, it was an agreeable book, though I would have liked to see less story at the beginning and end, leaving the focus on the island.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part of this book is when Robinson, standing at the shore line of the island, contemplates God's providence. He recognized that just being alive from the shipwreck is something to be thankful for. Also, that God may have used some terrible things in his life, to humble him and get his attention. His reflections finally bring him peace that God's Providence is no accident and that God is with him. This gives him the strength to stop despairing and get to work.

I enjoyed the stories of his resourcefulness with farming and raising the goats.

I wish his religious revelations would have impacted him more on his return back home. After hearing about the contents of the second book, I was disappointed he doesn't do more for the good of man and for his children.


"These reflections made me very sensible of the goodness of Providence to me, and very thankful for my present condition, with all its hardships and misfortunes ; and this part also I cannot but recommend to the reflection of those who are apt, in their misery, to say, Is any affliction like mine? Let them consider how much worse the cases of some people are, and their case might have been, if Providence had thought fit."

[KARLENE · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic, well worth reading, particularly for the insight into our continually folly as humans to think our own way the right way regardless of any and all well-meaning advice to the contrary, particularly in our [for this reason exactly] misspent youth. Surviving multiple shipwrecks and even enslavement at one point, well before being cast away on a deserted island, Robinson Crusoe undergoes endless trials and tribulations before his eventual salvation, both literal and more importantly spiritual. I will caution that Daniel Defoe loves nothing so much as a comma, in that his descriptions and narrative in general is oftentimes long winded in the extreme; however, to me, this is a book to enjoy slowly a few bites at a time rather than devoured in a day.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting in places, tedious in others. I find myself having no motivation to root for Crusoe, but rather finding my intrigue in the actions of the sea.
Admittedly only reading this in parts for an essay (it is far too long!) but it offers some intriguing ideas and its always nice to see Hull getting a little shout out!

[Will Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. I don’t know if I would have been able to read the full version of this one. However this condensed version was just right. Excellent story of survival and what it would take to be left alone for decades on end.

[Heather Kruzins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was better than I remembered. I couldn't put it down he was so resilient and self aware. Lacking in description, but that also meant a fast and satisfying read.

[Jayne Federici · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favourite book.

[Kasturi Pillay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robinson Crusoe

I read this book as a child it was nice to read it again as an adult to remember the story nice easy read

[Tonee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great adventure story!

[Scott Cuthbertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating glimpse into 1719 psychology

[Chareta Rubio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robinson Crusoe relata la historia de un joven con muy mala suerte, sus padres de buena familia le ofrecen una vida cómoda, pero el lo único que quiere es descubrir el mundo, viajar. Así que se monta en un barco, con la mala fortuna de que todos los barcos en los que se montan se acaban hundiendo o sufriendo alguna desgracia. Acaba por instalarse en Brasil donde tiene una fructífera plantación que a los pocos meses abandona para ir en busca de esclavos, otro barco que se monta, otro barco que se hunde dejándolo varado en una isla desierta en la que acaba teniendo una vida solitaria durante 25 años.

Voy a evitar hacer una valoración de lo que es el contexto , pero porque es un libro de cuando la época del colonialismo y mi visión es del siglo XXI, y entiendo que para un libro de esta mentalidad es probable que no se entienda porque lo critico.

No dudo que en su época fuera un muy buen libro, pero a mi se me ha hecho lento, se repite bastante porque Robinson Crusoe se hecha a la mar constantemente siendo un desgraciado y encima el final vuelve a Brasil como si nada y hay un montón de cosas que harían al personaje más redondo y que el mismo podría explicar de esos 25 años en una isla solitaria, 25 años que le forjan, que le cambian, diría que casi por completo, y que son embargo no tienes la certeza de ello, lo atisbas porque es un poco obvio. Si una persona esta 25 años lejos y solo, cambia bastante...

[Sarah Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe a lot of higher level thought has gone into this Classic, which is apparently hailed as the first English novel.
Defoe seems devoted to imparting some Christian theology and ethics on his reader. Whilst well motivated, I am uncertain about some of the detail in his travels and got a little lost in the fight scenes.
He was at one time a spy I gather, though how much his travel experience extends I am uncertain. I think that the scenarios such as fighting with wolves may be more allegorical than accurate. The novel seems to trail at the end, yet with the promise of more to come.
I feel that this Classic will remain so due to the relevancy of it's themes and perhaps with Crusoe's initial moral thinking shared wider, with him having had much time to ponder well, there would be less wars in the world.

[Marinho Lopes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gostei de ler este clássico sobre a aventura de Robinson Crusoe numa ilha deserta. O livro é de fácil leitura e tem vários aspectos interessantes, nomeadamente na “auto-descoberta espiritual” e nas qualidades autodidactas da personagem que abrem uma janela sobre o século XVII, altura em que o livro foi escrito. Houve, porém, várias coisas que não gostei: (i) a história na ilha é algo aborrecida e repetitiva até à chegada de Sexta-feira; (ii) a reflexão filosófica da personagem é muito limitada pela religião, o que parece reflectir mais as opiniões do autor, do que as considerações realistas que a personagem poderia tecer; (iii) o final é de certa forma excessivamente detalhado, pois com a saída da ilha a história principal já estava concluída…

[Mike Opferman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is interesting enough (in the same survival spirit as The Martian), but the author is weirdly insistent about there being very little danger at what should be the most tense and exciting moments of the story. This gives the story a more mundane aspect than I expected.

A bigger issue is that the book has not aged well at all and has many parts that are truly hard to read. For example, Robinson's casual and explicit slave trading, and of course the way "savages" are portrayed.

I think overall, I would not recommend this book to others.

[A J Hardin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay for me. I read it in high school and I remember liking it. It hits a little differently as an adult. Can’t wait to discuss it at book club because I have so many questions.
Didn’t really care for the narrator on the Audible, he was kind of dry. I did really enjoy the beautiful art that accompanied the copy that I purchased for the Kindle though.
I would recommend it, it is a classic, but not my favorite.

[Seamus McQuaid · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful read it’s reflects the microcosm of values and behaviors during the middle half of the 17th century. I did think at times the book does get bogged down in terms of details. An example would be the intricate financial arrangements he entered into after his return to England. It’s just a great story and I intend to read the follow-up novel. My favourite quote “How strange a chequer work of providence is the life of man”

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published 1719, considered possibly the first English novel… a story of shipwreck, survival, and even thriving alone for almost 3 decades. The insights into,Robinson Crusoe’s thought life, character and spiritual development was fascinating. Yes, the book reflects the ethics and morals of the time, which can be a bit shocking to the modern mind, but if read for what it is… a book written 300 years ago, it gave me insight into the culture of that time and was a very entertaining read.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

We did this book in my book club. There's a lot to discuss, from the reasons for its initial success to the treatment of slavery to the vivid experience of Crusoe finding the footprint in the sand. I'm not sure I'd ever read it on my own... but that's what book clubs are for!

[Jim Kettle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Excellent narrator on audible - Simon Vance.

[Rózsa Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gyermekkorom egyik kedvence.

[Carrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yikes, what a miserable, tedious read. I read it for a school project, and its utterly oblivious racism and colonialism will be useful for that, but still. Blech.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story.