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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
Holy crap. I don't know how a book about a man surviving by himself on an island, contending with cannibals can be so boring. The vast majority is mostly Crusoe philosophizing about God, but almost all repetitions on the exact same theme. It only really gets interesting the last hundred or pages or so, when Friday shows up.
3.5 ★ - (liked it)
I read this for school some years ago and the first things I think of now when I hear Robinson Crusoe mentioned are: cannibalism, lengthy pieces of biblical commentary that at times don't quite line up with my beliefs, and it taking forever to read XD
But I also remember Friday and the parrot and Crusoe being shipwrecked. And him storing provisions in his house and making a canoe. I remember the goat and drying raisins. All things I liked reading about. So although my immediate memories of it aren't the best when I reflect long enough I did enjoy this book. I hope to read it again and write another review :)
CWs: cannibals,
12/21/23
I read this for school some years ago and the first things I think of now when I hear Robinson Crusoe mentioned are: cannibalism, lengthy pieces of biblical commentary that at times don't quite line up with my beliefs, and it taking forever to read XD
But I also remember Friday and the parrot and Crusoe being shipwrecked. And him storing provisions in his house and making a canoe. I remember the goat and drying raisins. All things I liked reading about. So although my immediate memories of it aren't the best when I reflect long enough I did enjoy this book. I hope to read it again and write another review :)
CWs: cannibals,
12/21/23
My main issue with this was the multiple shipwrecks before the main event. I suppose it's meant to show the pull of the sea on Crusoe so that it's almost like an addiction, but the female in me is just thinking how can he so idiotic?
I sort of enjoyed the large middle bit where he finds a way of life stranded on a seemingly desserted island. It also doesn't make sense to me that it takes him YEARS to find out that it isn't actually desserted. However, I also think I was too distracted while reading this to give it its full due. Thus I have padded my rating slightly. Am I going to give it another go though? Unlikely.
I sort of enjoyed the large middle bit where he finds a way of life stranded on a seemingly desserted island. It also doesn't make sense to me that it takes him YEARS to find out that it isn't actually desserted. However, I also think I was too distracted while reading this to give it its full due. Thus I have padded my rating slightly. Am I going to give it another go though? Unlikely.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This classic man-versus-nature castaway novel has been hugely influential, but it's pretty rough for a modern reader. 300 years after its initial publication the plot feels threadbare and glacially slow, with little to distract from the author/narrator's racist views on the inferiority of Africans and Caribbean islanders. It's far more worthwhile as a historical artifact and cultural touchstone than as an enjoyable story in its own right.
adventurous
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:
No
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced