Inspirational in places... repetative in others..., 08 Sep 2008
I was really pleasently surprised with this book. I didn't know much more about it than man lands on island and has to survive... The book is broken up into four sections (though unfortunately not through the use of chapters, which would have been nice): Pre-island, Island pre-Friday, Island post-Friday and then after Island. The first three sections are amazing, especially the second part. I thought his attitude of 'I need something, I'm going to learn how to do it and then perfect it' was really inspirational and was a fascinating read.
The mood changes when he discovers a foot print on the otherside of the Island and his paranoia builds and builds - there's a real sense that the relatively free-living he had enjoyed before is over. The third section in which he saves Friday and then defeats the Savages is pretty exciting stuff and despite his initial attitude towards Friday it is enjoyable that the savage (as Crusoe continually calls him) is so much more open minded and willing to learn new things rather than fear them.
Once Crusoe does eventually get off the Island the book loses much of what made it exciting and so the end feels a bit dull by comparison, though it's nice to see he visits the Island again. I'm not sure whether I missed something but I felt a bit let down not to get an update on the whereabouts or some obvious mention of what happened to Friday after they made it back to England.
I enjoyed it mostly for the adventure and inventiveness of the character but it got a bit frustrating at times as was fairly repetative in places and there were certain sections which felt a bit like being hit in the face with a massive bible. Crusoe's character isn't really the most likeable of fellows (especially by today's standards) but I quite like that in the books I read.
Oh and look at the price! Best thing I can remember buying for under £2.
A Classic because it is., 13 Mar 2007
The tale of Robinson Crusoe is so engrained in our culture I found it difficult to be objective about it. All the classic ingredients are there, the journey to find one's fortune the shipwreck, the fight for survival and the conversations with God. It is easy to see why it has survived in print for so long although I found so much of the book rather dull. This particular edition has an introduction which I found to be very useful in putting the novel into context and a series of explanatory notes which I found essential for understanding the language of the time. Should you be going to buy a copy of this I think these additions make this an excellent choice.
Enlightenment Bible, 17 Nov 2005
Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe is often hailed as the first novel written in English; it has garnered appraisal in each century it has been around; and is one of the most widely translated works of fiction behind the Bible. For a novel to be truly regarded as a ‘classic’, which Robinson Crusoe is, it must be at once timeless and yet a product of its times. Classic is defined as being: “approved as a model, standard, leading, Of literary note, historically famous. With a thorough understanding of the text and a grounding in the social, economical, philosophical and ethical issues of the Enlightenment, Robinson Crusoe can easily be seen to fit such a definition.
Defoe’s style is often disorienting and seemingly random, as often, the narrative jumps several years in as many sentences. He allows the retrospective voice of Crusoe to be both spatially and temporally free; lending his narrative voice weight, with its mastery of the material. The implied author, Crusoe, is writing this account of his adventures from after the event; it is for this reason that the novel’s tone seems divided. For the most part Crusoe is meticulously descriptive; taking pages to describe how a boat is made, or how he fails to make ink. Conversely there are theological and philosophical tracts that seem out of place in such a richly detailed account. Robinson Crusoe is presented as a factual account of Crusoe’s life; as the title page boldly pronounces.
Robinson Crusoe is more than anything a product of the time it was written in. It contains within it, just under the surface, many of the ideas that were present during the Enlightenment; and it serves as a neat allegory for the colonial spirit of 18th Century England. Ultimately it champions the idea that through a man’s own actions he can truly come to know himself and the world he lives in; and that he must not be bound by the tutelage of past generations.
Read it.
good adventure!, 26 Aug 2005
This book is exciting, well described and good organized. The story gives ideas of heading for your goal, that is, don't be afraid of doing what you desire. It gives idea of fighting whatever happen in your life and don't give up easily as the world won't always be on your side. Futhermore, you will get the idea the importance of the word "friend" and you will see that money isn't everything and their value does not last long.
What I don't like in this book is that some situations are discribed in easy ways and make me think why it's so easy. I think it doesn't discribe about Robinson's feeling enough, which I think it is as important as the way of life. I also think that there should be more obstacles, living in an island. Also, it should show how he deal with them and how he feels.
I think it is a good book to read and its point of views are suitable for all ages. You will get a lot of benefits from this adventurous story, apart from its excitement.
A Superb Classic, 04 Aug 2005
Inspired by the real life story of Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk, Daniel Defoe wrote the famous classic Robinson Crusoe.
This is about a man who sets off to find his fortune, travelling on a boat with his mate. But after a series of events that take place, he is driven all over the world, only to be shipwrecked on an isolated Pacific Ocean island. With the provisions left on the ship not far from the island, he manages to create a safe abode and provide himself food. This is a story of how Robinson Crusoe Survives and the events that lead him to freedom.
This is such a cool story and there are condensed versions around so that any one can enjoy it. So suspensful and intriguing, you must, must, must read it!
