A review by language_loving_amateur
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

adventurous challenging slow-paced
  • Loveable characters? No

1.5

 I know that it is an important early novel, but man I didn't like it. The assumptions of Black and indigenous people's place in the world is awful. It is very religious and later in the book Robinson Crusoe becomes a messiah like figure, "If I save/redeem your life, you must obey me in all things and be my servant for all time" and the people he makes this coercive bargain with are all to happy with it. None of them take it in the moment, and later say, "hey, that wasn't fair to hold my life hostage until I agreed to your terms. Lets renegotiate something a bit more equal." 
1.5 stars because I know it is "important literature." 
Also, everything must be repeated three times at minimum. "I plan to do A. I am doing A. Now that I have done A, I realize that it could have been done more efficiently by doing B along with A. Now that everything is done, I will reflect on the spiritual meaning on A." 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings