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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
I had to read this for my British novel up to 1900 class. I really did not like this book. I read a fourth of it, then spark noted the rest of the novel. A lot of words were spelled wrong because of the time period that this was published, but it was really distracting.
The "stranded on a desert island" story has been told by countless authors, filmmakers, etc. It's a great story, and so many artists have made it greater—more complex, more beautiful, more intriguing. So when reading Robinson Crusoe, one's mind tends to gravitate towards other, more recent examples of this sort of tale, thinking regretfully that such-and-such artist did it so much better and why is it Defoe's book that's remembered as a classic?
The answer, of course, is this: because it's the first of its kind. If it's a straightforward book that brings nothing new to the rich literary table of the 21st century, that's because it's the staple ingredient in many of the other dishes on said table. If we're bored reading this because of a lingering sense of "been there, done that," we have to remind ourselves that, when Defoe wrote this, none of his readers had yet been there or done that. So we have to give him some credit. Because, whatever has happened in the past 300 years on any such archetypal deserted island, the fact remains that Robinson found the island first.
The answer, of course, is this: because it's the first of its kind. If it's a straightforward book that brings nothing new to the rich literary table of the 21st century, that's because it's the staple ingredient in many of the other dishes on said table. If we're bored reading this because of a lingering sense of "been there, done that," we have to remind ourselves that, when Defoe wrote this, none of his readers had yet been there or done that. So we have to give him some credit. Because, whatever has happened in the past 300 years on any such archetypal deserted island, the fact remains that Robinson found the island first.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I know it’s from another time in human history but I squirm at how outright racist Robinson is, you’d think that a man living on a desert island would be relieved for any human contact. He never even asked Friday what his name was. Just called him Friday because that’s the day they met and had Friday calling him “Master” like…. Are you kidding? You taught the PARROT your name, for the pleasure of having someone to talk to.
Also, I think it’s strange that he doesn’t meet Friday until more than halfway through. The book is so agonizingly slow before that, because we are alone with Robinson and his thoughts, and I can only be interested for so long in his description of the island and the various chores he takes up to survive alone. It’s like watching the film Cast Away with Tom Hanks (but boring.)
Honestly I only read it because I had a lot of guilt for skipping this one during my literature class in college. I’m not surprised it didn’t hold my interest, back then. I don’t know how I found the attention span to suffer through it, right now.
It’s good, especially for such an old book. I do respect the narrative, and the reflective themes of the prose, but I certainly didn’t enjoy it, and I don’t think it’s groundbreaking or anything.
Also, I think it’s strange that he doesn’t meet Friday until more than halfway through. The book is so agonizingly slow before that, because we are alone with Robinson and his thoughts, and I can only be interested for so long in his description of the island and the various chores he takes up to survive alone. It’s like watching the film Cast Away with Tom Hanks (but boring.)
Honestly I only read it because I had a lot of guilt for skipping this one during my literature class in college. I’m not surprised it didn’t hold my interest, back then. I don’t know how I found the attention span to suffer through it, right now.
It’s good, especially for such an old book. I do respect the narrative, and the reflective themes of the prose, but I certainly didn’t enjoy it, and I don’t think it’s groundbreaking or anything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Racism
Moderate: Cannibalism, Colonisation
I was surprised how much this book made me think. I especially liked two specific points: 1. We probably don't know how much danger we truly avoid. We don't know how often we have barely escaped death or harm. We just live our lives without truly knowing what could have happened. 2. We should be grateful for everything. Sometimes what seems horrible is actually better than what it could be. We may be stranded on a desert island, but at least we have provisions (etc.).
Robinson Crusoe is just lucky he landed on the world's only desert island with grapes, peaches, melons, goats, parrots, coconuts, bats, tomatoes, snacks, candy, smokes, and magazines.
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
having to read this book is probably the worst thing about 18th century lit
Although I understand the importance of this work in its style of writing as one of the foundations of the modern novel, I could not say it was personally enjoyable.
Descriptions of how Crusoe survived on the island (creating his 'castle' and growing crops etc.,) were the highlight of the novel for me - they are very reminiscent of childhood days spent debating how you could survive on a desert island. Similarly, I enjoyed descriptions of adventure across the sea and the excitement and temptation provided by far off lands so different from life in England.
However, the writing style (again, I do not discredit the importance it has), was very tedious and meandering at times - often reading more like a religious text than a novel. I appreciate the influence Christianity had on thought, behaviour, and writing in England at the time, but this does not make his religious tirade any more interesting to read.
The worst part of the novel in my opinion, however, was the blatant racism throughout. Again, I understand it is a product of the time, but the treatment of people of colour (both as slaves when Crusoe creates his plantation, and as 'savages' when he arrives at the island) should make anyone reading in the 21st century severely uncomfortable. Notably, although Friday was treated better by Crusoe, this was because he was a slave to him - Crusoe taught him his society was wrong, Christianity was right, and that he should leave his family and society forever. In addition, there is an extensive paragraph explaining Friday is closer to a white man than other natives Crusoe has seen - further enhancing this racism. There are countless other incidences similar to this throughout the novel that make for severely uncomfortable reading - especially considering this is still held as a children's book in some cases.
I will reiterate that I understand it is a product of the time, but viewed from a the 21st century, it is an upsetting, offensive read frequently, and tedious and dull in between.
Descriptions of how Crusoe survived on the island (creating his 'castle' and growing crops etc.,) were the highlight of the novel for me - they are very reminiscent of childhood days spent debating how you could survive on a desert island. Similarly, I enjoyed descriptions of adventure across the sea and the excitement and temptation provided by far off lands so different from life in England.
However, the writing style (again, I do not discredit the importance it has), was very tedious and meandering at times - often reading more like a religious text than a novel. I appreciate the influence Christianity had on thought, behaviour, and writing in England at the time, but this does not make his religious tirade any more interesting to read.
The worst part of the novel in my opinion, however, was the blatant racism throughout. Again, I understand it is a product of the time, but the treatment of people of colour (both as slaves when Crusoe creates his plantation, and as 'savages' when he arrives at the island) should make anyone reading in the 21st century severely uncomfortable. Notably, although Friday was treated better by Crusoe, this was because he was a slave to him - Crusoe taught him his society was wrong, Christianity was right, and that he should leave his family and society forever. In addition, there is an extensive paragraph explaining Friday is closer to a white man than other natives Crusoe has seen - further enhancing this racism. There are countless other incidences similar to this throughout the novel that make for severely uncomfortable reading - especially considering this is still held as a children's book in some cases.
I will reiterate that I understand it is a product of the time, but viewed from a the 21st century, it is an upsetting, offensive read frequently, and tedious and dull in between.
I read it when I was in like, middle school, and I liked it then?