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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
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?
3.75/5
Being one of the first English novels, It's amazing how easy this reads. Daniel Defoe, with his hilariously long book titles, wrote in the layman's English making the novel remarkably accessible to todays readers.
Crusoe himself can certainly come off as an asshole, but I think he is definitely more a product of the times. He lived in the mid-1600's in the early days of the Slave Trade. He was British at the dawn of the British Empire, setting sail for the first time the same year of the Navigation Act. He was, by the most literal definition, a colonizer. To them in this time that was the norm, just as Manifest Destiny was the norm in the Americas much later, not to excuse either instance as the horrible conceited actions of those in power. It helps explain some of Crusoe's thought process in regards to the "savages" in his point of view. Ironically, he ends his first embarkment as a slave. While living on the island for the majority of the novel, he begins to come to terms with the fact that these "savages" he encounters are not inherently evil because they don't know what they're doing is morally wrong, in British society's eyes.
I think this novel is a fun look at how Christianity always has to spin everything into a positive. Crusoe at first, reasonably, is devastated by his present condition. Over the course of his time on the island he begins to thank god for his deliverance to the island. I'm biased when it comes to religion, as I am not religious, but it amazes me how someone who is stranded on an island alone for 28 years can wake up and thank their creator for the opportunity to fight for their life every day. Don't worry, this wouldn't be a book about colonization if they left out religious indoctrination. Once Crusoe saves Friday from being killed and eaten by the natives of the mainland, he almost immediately begins converting him to Christianity. Friday, being grateful for being saved by a man with technologies he could not fathom at the time, had no choice but to believe Crusoe. Thankfully, Friday is never submitted to any cruelty by Crusoe, and Defoe seems to paint this as Friday graciously attending to his savior rather than his master (though Crusoe does have Friday call him master).
I don't believe that literature about things viewed negative, especially through a modern lens, inherently makes the book bad. In fact, I'd much rather get an idea of what goes through someone's head in that point in time. How do they try to justify their actions, if they try at all? Defoe seems to be quite content with colonization, and this is an interesting take on justifying it, especially when dousing the issue with Christianity to garner support from the masses.
Being one of the first English novels, It's amazing how easy this reads. Daniel Defoe, with his hilariously long book titles, wrote in the layman's English making the novel remarkably accessible to todays readers.
Crusoe himself can certainly come off as an asshole, but I think he is definitely more a product of the times. He lived in the mid-1600's in the early days of the Slave Trade. He was British at the dawn of the British Empire, setting sail for the first time the same year of the Navigation Act. He was, by the most literal definition, a colonizer. To them in this time that was the norm, just as Manifest Destiny was the norm in the Americas much later, not to excuse either instance as the horrible conceited actions of those in power. It helps explain some of Crusoe's thought process in regards to the "savages" in his point of view. Ironically, he ends his first embarkment as a slave. While living on the island for the majority of the novel, he begins to come to terms with the fact that these "savages" he encounters are not inherently evil because they don't know what they're doing is morally wrong, in British society's eyes.
I think this novel is a fun look at how Christianity always has to spin everything into a positive. Crusoe at first, reasonably, is devastated by his present condition. Over the course of his time on the island he begins to thank god for his deliverance to the island. I'm biased when it comes to religion, as I am not religious, but it amazes me how someone who is stranded on an island alone for 28 years can wake up and thank their creator for the opportunity to fight for their life every day. Don't worry, this wouldn't be a book about colonization if they left out religious indoctrination. Once Crusoe saves Friday from being killed and eaten by the natives of the mainland, he almost immediately begins converting him to Christianity. Friday, being grateful for being saved by a man with technologies he could not fathom at the time, had no choice but to believe Crusoe. Thankfully, Friday is never submitted to any cruelty by Crusoe, and Defoe seems to paint this as Friday graciously attending to his savior rather than his master (though Crusoe does have Friday call him master).
I don't believe that literature about things viewed negative, especially through a modern lens, inherently makes the book bad. In fact, I'd much rather get an idea of what goes through someone's head in that point in time. How do they try to justify their actions, if they try at all? Defoe seems to be quite content with colonization, and this is an interesting take on justifying it, especially when dousing the issue with Christianity to garner support from the masses.
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. This book is so incredibly boring. It was so boring I couldn't just read it-- I had to listen to an audiobook recording of it while reading which is something I never did as I tend to be able to be able to read things quickly even if they are boring (should out to Mark Smith from Simpsonville, South Carolina). Robinson Crusoe was annoying in the beginning and even more annoying at the end. I know this book was written in different times, but the imperialist/racist overtones in this story were overwhelming. To list SOME things that are wrong with RC:
1) As mentioned, he is annoying.
2) He constantly bemoans his bad luck. Yet, somehow, every time he makes a bad choice, he ends up surviving (while everyone else dies) and given a great opportunity to fix his mistakes and be wealthy, but nope-- he makes ANOTHER bad decision (despite given a better and more logical alternative; literally, he goes OUT OF HIS WAY to make these bad choices) and has the audacity to be SURPRISED and dismayed when it doesn't work out. He deserved so much less.
3) He constantly repeats himself. He repeats his reasoning OVER and OVER again. This book could be so much shorter if those parts were edited out. I do not need to hear how he managed the goats for the fourth time in almost the same words. I do not need to hear about how he almost thought about killing the "savages" that came to his island but then "through God" realized he should leave them alone because they are not harming him and he has no reason to. A lot of the stuff that he repeats is to show off what a great person he is and how smart and awesome he was. He recounts all the praises he and others say of him. So smart. So awesome. What a hero. Genius. Narcissitic.
4) He is so obsessed with power. He has everyone calling him "master," "governor," "captain," etc. He calls himself a king of the island (which ok I understand he's like the only one there) but then some people join him there and it's literally a dictatorship and everyone has to do what he says. One person was not happy with how RC was handling the prisoners and RC told him off for being ungrateful since RC saved his life. Man cannot take criticism.
5) Somehow everyone he meets is undyingly faithful to him. Everyone is in debt to him. He is such a great guy. He saves everyone. He always knows who's a good person or a bad person right off the bat.
6) This man is so disingenuous with his faith. He suddenly finds God through the Bible, and his musings... just seemed so off. He is constantly talking about Providence and deliverance. He is constantly talking about how lucky he is to be stuck on the island and that God saved him and then always wanting to get off of it. Always bashing civilization and then two seconds later wishing he was back. He was in denial. It also feels like he was becoming snobby (?) with his Chrsitianity. And it was so interesting that after talking about God nonstop while on the island, he completely stops talking about religion when he's off...
8) I will admit I may have accidentally missed this part because I was so incredibly bored that I zoned out at times, but did he ever find that Spaniard and Friday's dad again? Didn't they leave to go get those 16 other white men "trapped" in the mainland? I don't think they ever came back... and I was honestly super annoyed that he never waited for them so that they can all get out of the region like he promised?? Am I missing something there?? I have to be but I don't care too much to touch this book again and double-check.
I am most likely going to add to this list as I think more about it. I would not have read this book if it wasn't required for class. Maybe after discussion, I'll have even more to say. Please do not read this book. Robinson Crusoe is a narcissistic piece of shit.
1) As mentioned, he is annoying.
2) He constantly bemoans his bad luck. Yet, somehow, every time he makes a bad choice, he ends up surviving (while everyone else dies) and given a great opportunity to fix his mistakes and be wealthy, but nope-- he makes ANOTHER bad decision (despite given a better and more logical alternative; literally, he goes OUT OF HIS WAY to make these bad choices) and has the audacity to be SURPRISED and dismayed when it doesn't work out. He deserved so much less.
3) He constantly repeats himself. He repeats his reasoning OVER and OVER again. This book could be so much shorter if those parts were edited out. I do not need to hear how he managed the goats for the fourth time in almost the same words. I do not need to hear about how he almost thought about killing the "savages" that came to his island but then "through God" realized he should leave them alone because they are not harming him and he has no reason to. A lot of the stuff that he repeats is to show off what a great person he is and how smart and awesome he was. He recounts all the praises he and others say of him. So smart. So awesome. What a hero. Genius. Narcissitic.
4) He is so obsessed with power. He has everyone calling him "master," "governor," "captain," etc. He calls himself a king of the island (which ok I understand he's like the only one there) but then some people join him there and it's literally a dictatorship and everyone has to do what he says. One person was not happy with how RC was handling the prisoners and RC told him off for being ungrateful since RC saved his life. Man cannot take criticism.
5) Somehow everyone he meets is undyingly faithful to him. Everyone is in debt to him. He is such a great guy. He saves everyone. He always knows who's a good person or a bad person right off the bat.
6) This man is so disingenuous with his faith. He suddenly finds God through the Bible, and his musings... just seemed so off. He is constantly talking about Providence and deliverance. He is constantly talking about how lucky he is to be stuck on the island and that God saved him and then always wanting to get off of it. Always bashing civilization and then two seconds later wishing he was back. He was in denial. It also feels like he was becoming snobby (?) with his Chrsitianity. And it was so interesting that after talking about God nonstop while on the island, he completely stops talking about religion when he's off...
8) I will admit I may have accidentally missed this part because I was so incredibly bored that I zoned out at times, but did he ever find that Spaniard and Friday's dad again? Didn't they leave to go get those 16 other white men "trapped" in the mainland? I don't think they ever came back... and I was honestly super annoyed that he never waited for them so that they can all get out of the region like he promised?? Am I missing something there?? I have to be but I don't care too much to touch this book again and double-check.
I am most likely going to add to this list as I think more about it. I would not have read this book if it wasn't required for class. Maybe after discussion, I'll have even more to say. Please do not read this book. Robinson Crusoe is a narcissistic piece of shit.
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Would probably like it more if i didn't read it bc of school
Three centuries and two years have elapsed since Robinson Crusoe knocked all the wigs off Georgian England. If his initial popularity and enduring fame is anything to go off by, well then his most magnetic point is this: he's that one lucky salty son of a bitch we all want to be.
Crusoe flees a dying father and overbearing family; gets shipwrecked; is captured by pirates; escapes with a slave; sells the slave; gets shipwrecked again while trying to become a slaver (comeuppance is a bitch) and is forced to live on an island in solitude for 24 years.
As if all this isn't enough, he builds himself a mini fortress; becomes a hunter-gatherer; discovers cannibals; frees a captive he names Friday who he converts to Christianity and then he gets off the island after settling mutineers upon it.
At the end, he flees a dying wife and their young children. So besides being a proficient survivor, savior of souls and semi-proficient slaver he isn't my beau ideal of a family man that's for sure.
Defoe writes like Crusoe's morality; long, winded and always cleaning up it's possessor's sins. On the other hand ,if you want to get philosophical, Crusoe establishes that no matter the degree of solitude; one cannot escape the influences of their society. Why else would he thump the Bible to Friday?
Four stars because it made me think.
Crusoe flees a dying father and overbearing family; gets shipwrecked; is captured by pirates; escapes with a slave; sells the slave; gets shipwrecked again while trying to become a slaver (comeuppance is a bitch) and is forced to live on an island in solitude for 24 years.
As if all this isn't enough, he builds himself a mini fortress; becomes a hunter-gatherer; discovers cannibals; frees a captive he names Friday who he converts to Christianity and then he gets off the island after settling mutineers upon it.
At the end, he flees a dying wife and their young children. So besides being a proficient survivor, savior of souls and semi-proficient slaver he isn't my beau ideal of a family man that's for sure.
Defoe writes like Crusoe's morality; long, winded and always cleaning up it's possessor's sins. On the other hand ,if you want to get philosophical, Crusoe establishes that no matter the degree of solitude; one cannot escape the influences of their society. Why else would he thump the Bible to Friday?
Four stars because it made me think.
More reviews available at my blog, Beauty and the Bookworm.
Okay, first off--who the heck knew that Robinson Crusoe actually kicked off a three book series? I did not know this. I was not aware of this at all. Imagine my surprise when, getting to the end of the book, I found that this is continued in not one but two more books. Oy.
When I needed a pick for a book set in the wilderness for the Popsugar 2017 Reading Challenge, I thought Robinson Crusoe was the natural pick. It's a classic, and I want to read more of those, and I also had a foggy memory of reading the Great Illustrated Classics version when I was little. Of course, I didn't realize then that those versions are pared-down significantly and in fact only found this out in the past coupe of years. Oops. Anyway, it meant reading the original long-form was a pretty easy decision.
This is a book typical of its genre--the early seafaring or adventuring tale, in which there isn't a strong central plot per se but is more just a character relating his adventures from a point later on in his life. For our purposes, the character is the eponymous Robinson Crusoe, who tells of his misbegotten youth and many years shipwrecked on a deserted island in the Caribbean. I suppose you could say the "plot" is that he gets shipwrecked and spends the rest of the book looking for a way to escape, but that's generous at best as most of the book is telling us how he survived on the island, combated fears and threats of native cannibals, etc. There is a weird segment at the end after he does escape the island and is back in Europe, but that's clearly meant to segue readers into Defoe's second volume and, honestly, can probably be mostly ignored. It really didn't fit the pacing or themes of the rest of the book at all, and felt very disjointed tacked onto the end as it was.
Because this isn't a book with a strong central plot or a lot of characters to carry the story without a plot, it means it really can be dry and boring. For much of the book, Crusoe is the only character on the page, and when other characters enter at the beginning and end they are much simplified. Much of the book is Crusoe telling us of his daily tasks and, to an annoying degree, the religious awakening he underwent while on the island. Yes, this is a preachy book, which I was not expecting. And yes, the recitation of the daily facts of life, which are mostly the same from day to day, got really old really fast. I was kind of hoping Crusoe would make a break for it on the open sea, but alas, that never came about. Because there are few big, story- or life-shifting events, the book is slow and dry for long expanses at a time. Also, Defoe kept repeating things, like how Crusoe referred to a part of the island as his castle and another part as his bower--I got it after the first five times, thank you very much. Maybe he was paid by the word.
Overall, it was fun revisiting this and seeing how much it differed from my childhood version (a lot!) but it wasn't really a riveting read, and I don't think I'm up for two more books of it.
2 stars out of 5.
Okay, first off--who the heck knew that Robinson Crusoe actually kicked off a three book series? I did not know this. I was not aware of this at all. Imagine my surprise when, getting to the end of the book, I found that this is continued in not one but two more books. Oy.
When I needed a pick for a book set in the wilderness for the Popsugar 2017 Reading Challenge, I thought Robinson Crusoe was the natural pick. It's a classic, and I want to read more of those, and I also had a foggy memory of reading the Great Illustrated Classics version when I was little. Of course, I didn't realize then that those versions are pared-down significantly and in fact only found this out in the past coupe of years. Oops. Anyway, it meant reading the original long-form was a pretty easy decision.
This is a book typical of its genre--the early seafaring or adventuring tale, in which there isn't a strong central plot per se but is more just a character relating his adventures from a point later on in his life. For our purposes, the character is the eponymous Robinson Crusoe, who tells of his misbegotten youth and many years shipwrecked on a deserted island in the Caribbean. I suppose you could say the "plot" is that he gets shipwrecked and spends the rest of the book looking for a way to escape, but that's generous at best as most of the book is telling us how he survived on the island, combated fears and threats of native cannibals, etc. There is a weird segment at the end after he does escape the island and is back in Europe, but that's clearly meant to segue readers into Defoe's second volume and, honestly, can probably be mostly ignored. It really didn't fit the pacing or themes of the rest of the book at all, and felt very disjointed tacked onto the end as it was.
Because this isn't a book with a strong central plot or a lot of characters to carry the story without a plot, it means it really can be dry and boring. For much of the book, Crusoe is the only character on the page, and when other characters enter at the beginning and end they are much simplified. Much of the book is Crusoe telling us of his daily tasks and, to an annoying degree, the religious awakening he underwent while on the island. Yes, this is a preachy book, which I was not expecting. And yes, the recitation of the daily facts of life, which are mostly the same from day to day, got really old really fast. I was kind of hoping Crusoe would make a break for it on the open sea, but alas, that never came about. Because there are few big, story- or life-shifting events, the book is slow and dry for long expanses at a time. Also, Defoe kept repeating things, like how Crusoe referred to a part of the island as his castle and another part as his bower--I got it after the first five times, thank you very much. Maybe he was paid by the word.
Overall, it was fun revisiting this and seeing how much it differed from my childhood version (a lot!) but it wasn't really a riveting read, and I don't think I'm up for two more books of it.
2 stars out of 5.
Not super into this book. I think it's a great academic book and is definitely relevant to the time period that it belongs to. But I don't personally believe that it holds up well in the modern era.
