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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2 1/2 stars. There are two main ways I could view [b:Robinson Crusoe|2932|Robinson Crusoe|Daniel Defoe|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1403180114s/2932.jpg|604666] - firstly, as a reader who reads for enjoyment and entertainment, and secondly, as someone offering a more critical analysis of historical attitudes. To be honest, though, the book doesn't fare too well under either microscope.
As a novel for enjoyment, it's about the titular character being shipwrecked on an island many believe to be based on Tobago, near Trinidad. There's a whole lot of survival skills going on (but a modern reader will likely have read more compelling accounts of survival) and Crusoe finds himself facing native cannibals and captives. The style is distant and emotionless, only marginally more readable than Swift's [b:Gulliver's Travels|7733|Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1427829692s/7733.jpg|2394716], but that is largely due to the more simplistic narrative.
The parts where Crusoe turns to his knowledge of European agriculture to survive are particularly tedious for any reader not interested in production theory, trade and economics.
Looking at this book through the eyes of history, it's something of an advocate for colonialism and European superiority. Crusoe arrives on this island and quickly attempts to adjust it to his own expectations of civilization, even to the point of wanting the prisoners as slaves. It should also be pointed out that Crusoe is shipwrecked during a voyage to acquire African slaves. He survives by using his European knowledge, adapting very little, killing off natives, and embracing Christianity.
Crusoe is the intelligent European and the natives, including his one friend - Friday, are savages. He becomes a "king" figure of this "colony" and the conclusion appears to be that he brings civilization to these backward peoples. Perhaps interesting as a view of European mentality in the 18th century, but frankly quite nauseating to sit through today.
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As a novel for enjoyment, it's about the titular character being shipwrecked on an island many believe to be based on Tobago, near Trinidad. There's a whole lot of survival skills going on (but a modern reader will likely have read more compelling accounts of survival) and Crusoe finds himself facing native cannibals and captives. The style is distant and emotionless, only marginally more readable than Swift's [b:Gulliver's Travels|7733|Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1427829692s/7733.jpg|2394716], but that is largely due to the more simplistic narrative.
The parts where Crusoe turns to his knowledge of European agriculture to survive are particularly tedious for any reader not interested in production theory, trade and economics.
Looking at this book through the eyes of history, it's something of an advocate for colonialism and European superiority. Crusoe arrives on this island and quickly attempts to adjust it to his own expectations of civilization, even to the point of wanting the prisoners as slaves. It should also be pointed out that Crusoe is shipwrecked during a voyage to acquire African slaves. He survives by using his European knowledge, adapting very little, killing off natives, and embracing Christianity.
Crusoe is the intelligent European and the natives, including his one friend - Friday, are savages. He becomes a "king" figure of this "colony" and the conclusion appears to be that he brings civilization to these backward peoples. Perhaps interesting as a view of European mentality in the 18th century, but frankly quite nauseating to sit through today.
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adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
There were some slow parts. The tedious parts about building his settlement were satisfying in their own way though. But mostly, this is an exciting, action-packed adventure. It got me thinking a lot too. More than anything, it made me feel grateful for my relatively easy, comfortable life.
It's a bit like that Castaway movie starring Tom Hanks but the story is different.I find some parts of the book annoying and difficult to believe but if you keep an open mind you will enjoy it.
adventurous
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Robinson Crusoe. Think cast-way, the 18th century version. After a shipwreck, Robinson Crusoe finds himself alone on an island, an island he names the “Island of Despair.”
A few weeks ago I was at Barnes & Noble. Did you know that they print their own books now? Cheap paperback classics, currently by 2 get 1 free. So I, a shopper always looking for a great deal, stocked up on classics I’ve never read. Like Robinson Crusoe.
I knew the story and understood references. Kind of like Moby Dick, you know it’s about the whale but you haven’t actually finished the book. (Which, if you’ve actually read Moby Dick cover to cover, every word, you should win an award or something. Seriously, it’s impossible to finish. I’ve tried…multiple times.)
So I picked up Robinson Crusoe from my stack of classics.
While Daniel Defoe wrote the story of Robin Crusoe in 1719, I was surprised to relate easily to Robin and his story. The themes and ideas are timeless.
In the first pages we meet Robin Crusoe, a man worried about money, and making more of it. But, as usual, once he has it he becomes obsessed with wanting more. Robin has a nice farm, but the prospect of making more money is ultimately what gets him back out to sea, and washed up on the “Island of despair.”
From beginning to end we see Robin transform. At one point while exploring the wreckage of a ship, Robin finds chests filled with gold. But that doesn’t matter to him. All he wants is a pair of shoes:
I would have given it all for three or four pair of English shoes and stocking, which were things I greatly wanted, but had not had on my feet now for many years. (188, B&N edition).
Throughout this book, Defoe makes you question what’s important. What matters the most to you? What would you do the survive or find meaning in your life?
Robin Crusoe survives a horrible wreck, but he lives alone on the island for over 25 years, only speaking to a parrot he taught to talk. But he finds meaning in his life, breeding cattle, farming, building shelters, even finding some hope in a Bible. Not once do we hear him wish he didn’t survive the wreckage.
In fact, from the moment Robin arrives on the island, he goes into survival mode. He’s practical and plans for the future, salvaging what he can from the wreck and building a shelter.
So if you haven’t read Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, give it a try. I promise it’s better than Moby Dick.
What’s most important in your life? And what would you do if that one thing was taken?
A few weeks ago I was at Barnes & Noble. Did you know that they print their own books now? Cheap paperback classics, currently by 2 get 1 free. So I, a shopper always looking for a great deal, stocked up on classics I’ve never read. Like Robinson Crusoe.
I knew the story and understood references. Kind of like Moby Dick, you know it’s about the whale but you haven’t actually finished the book. (Which, if you’ve actually read Moby Dick cover to cover, every word, you should win an award or something. Seriously, it’s impossible to finish. I’ve tried…multiple times.)
So I picked up Robinson Crusoe from my stack of classics.
While Daniel Defoe wrote the story of Robin Crusoe in 1719, I was surprised to relate easily to Robin and his story. The themes and ideas are timeless.
In the first pages we meet Robin Crusoe, a man worried about money, and making more of it. But, as usual, once he has it he becomes obsessed with wanting more. Robin has a nice farm, but the prospect of making more money is ultimately what gets him back out to sea, and washed up on the “Island of despair.”
From beginning to end we see Robin transform. At one point while exploring the wreckage of a ship, Robin finds chests filled with gold. But that doesn’t matter to him. All he wants is a pair of shoes:
I would have given it all for three or four pair of English shoes and stocking, which were things I greatly wanted, but had not had on my feet now for many years. (188, B&N edition).
Throughout this book, Defoe makes you question what’s important. What matters the most to you? What would you do the survive or find meaning in your life?
Robin Crusoe survives a horrible wreck, but he lives alone on the island for over 25 years, only speaking to a parrot he taught to talk. But he finds meaning in his life, breeding cattle, farming, building shelters, even finding some hope in a Bible. Not once do we hear him wish he didn’t survive the wreckage.
In fact, from the moment Robin arrives on the island, he goes into survival mode. He’s practical and plans for the future, salvaging what he can from the wreck and building a shelter.
So if you haven’t read Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, give it a try. I promise it’s better than Moby Dick.
What’s most important in your life? And what would you do if that one thing was taken?
DNF at Chapter 8. I'm bored. There is better literature from this time period. Just because a book is a classic, it does not make it a good or engaging read. Also, I know you can't read this novel without pushing aside a modern mindset, but god do I hate Crusoe.
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hard to know how to rate this one. Robinson Crusoe is a fkd up story about colonization and white supremacy. Written 300 years ago, although a fictional novel, Robinson Crusoe is also a piece of history that represents life and beliefs at the time of booming colonialism. Defoe wrote Robinson Crusoe because it was what people wanted to hear: a glamorous “colonialism success story”. As a reader who does not condone these beliefs, it is incredibly frustrating reading this novel. Crusoe’s character does not develop over time and he continues to take over land that’s not his, control others, push his own beliefs, and view other cultures as lesser. He recreates civilization as he knows it despite having the opportunity to start fresh or learn from others. When he captures a prisoner and takes him as a servant, he continues to call him a savage and view him as a creature despite developing friendship/brotherhood/partnership with him for decades. Defoe wants readers to feel bad for Crusoe as he encounters struggles but the whole reason Crusoe got himself into a shipwreck was because he was on his way to pick up slaves, goddammit! The novel re-affirms what English people thought at the time re: superiority, cultural imperialism. Not to mention Crusoe is the typical “Christian” who only turns to God when he needs something. The story perpetuates the “self-made man” as the American Dream, which I find horrendous. Overall, not a good story. However, I find value in reading it as a piece to reflect upon as colonialism continues to this day. Many of the author’s beliefs & protagonist’s behaviours continue today in the same & new forms.
Edit: every character in this book is a man.
Edit: every character in this book is a man.