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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
I cannot finish this book. It is too boring. And to think that the abridged version was so interesting when I read it as a child.
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've read some awful books this year (and wonderful as well!), and this is definitely on the shortlist of Worst Books Ever Read. Amanda had warned me I wasn't going to like it, friends who saw I was reading it pleaded Why?! and I knew it was coming-- but guh. Culturally insensitive religious propaganda that rarely, if ever, verges on being a well-written adventure story. While I understand that this was perhaps the 'way things were' back in Defoe's time, and that as one of the first 'novels' it had its own appeal... there's no rhyme or reason in my head as to why it's a classic today.
I'll probably reread it after I get through Coetzee's Foe (my only reason for picking up RC in the first place), but otherwise hope to never see it again.
Also, the edition I borrowed- the Bantam as it were- had an awful summary on the back, primarily because it was completely wrong. I know being the person who writes those little paragraphs isn't the most glam job, but could you read the book? While the embellishments on RC are bad enough, you could also double-check and notice that he does NOT have only a pipe, etc. starting off on the island, and he makes contact with people FAR before his 24th year. Thanks, shitty summary writer.
I'll probably reread it after I get through Coetzee's Foe (my only reason for picking up RC in the first place), but otherwise hope to never see it again.
Also, the edition I borrowed- the Bantam as it were- had an awful summary on the back, primarily because it was completely wrong. I know being the person who writes those little paragraphs isn't the most glam job, but could you read the book? While the embellishments on RC are bad enough, you could also double-check and notice that he does NOT have only a pipe, etc. starting off on the island, and he makes contact with people FAR before his 24th year. Thanks, shitty summary writer.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
such an incredible adventure story. well written, intriguing to watch crusoe's character develop throughout the course of the book. it's one of those stories that keeps you wondering throughout what you yourself would do in the same situation which keeps it interesting. the last 80 pages seemed very detached from the rest of the story....maybe detached is not the right word. but, without giving anything away, I found it hard to keep it one cohesive work in my head. but that might just be me. overall, excellent read. really enjoyed it.
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.
Ugh, frustrated with the ending. Especially how he leaves the Spanish men his home, gets rich quick, then "checks up" on how they are tending to "his" island and offers them women.
Poor Friday and poor dog he saved from the ship wreck and never spoke of again
Poor Friday and poor dog he saved from the ship wreck and never spoke of again
the level of detail in this book is impressive, considering it’s regarded as the first novel in the English language, but it’s quite slow as a result and I only appreciated it once my lecturer explained it to me.
just not my cup of tea
just not my cup of tea
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
you can tell they were figuring out novels back then. feels like I'll end up saying that for most if not all of the eighteenth century novels I was assigned to read. it rings true for Robinson Crusoe as well, unfortunately. many things that seem interesting to me get mentioned in passing and the things I couldn't care about if I tried get described in utterly excruciating detail
I'm sure all that was very inspiring to some people. to me it was mostly just dreadfully boring
I'm sure all that was very inspiring to some people. to me it was mostly just dreadfully boring