Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
Published on April 25, 1719
Genres: Adventure, Historial Fiction
Format: Hardcover
SO WHAT WAS IT ABOUT?
With only a glimmer of hope and the will to survive Robinson Crusoe, the sole survivor of a ship bound for West Africa, becomes shipwrecked on a small and desolate island. Soon enough he learns to survive on his own, overcoming many odds as well as falling unfortunate to many setbacks, as he lives on the island for 28 years. As Crusoe adapts to his surroundings he changes from the man he was in England into an island man who’s mind has become almost nothing. However when mysterious people start to show up on the island Crusoe is forced to decide who he will be in his life. The proper English man or an island castaway? And with the opportunity to return to civilization will he even want to go back or has the island changed him to much?
SIDE NOTE: Many believe that “the story may be based on the true-life events of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish castaway who survived four years on a Pacific island, or Henry Pitman, a political rebel surgeon castaway from a Caribbean penal colony,” (Daniel Defoe, Short Stories and Classic Literature).
REACTION UPON FINISHING
*Mixed feelings on the book because it was really good but a bit boring at times however, I didn’t expect Crusoe’s decision at the end which made me happy and confused at the same time*
WHAT I THOUGHT
Overall, Robinson Crusoe was a really well written book that I loved as a child and still love to this day. While the story brings in such an amazing emotional connection to the mind and actions of Robinson Crusoe it can be hard to understand at times due to the writing style it is written in. The tale of Robinson Crusoe is filled with captives, mutineers, and even cannibals making it an amazing adventure for the reader as well as Crusoe himself. It becomes an adventure that started out as a rebellious son who longs to be on the sea thinking that is where he is meant to be, to a journey of self discovery of who really is Robinson Crusoe and who does he want to become. Which leads to why it has such an emotional connection with many readers including myself because we can relate to the journey of self discovery. While this book may be extremely slow at times there are strong themes in the novel as well as climatic parts that make the story more interesting for the reader, and I would definitely suggest reading this novel if you are looking for a good classic to read.
MY RATING
(Not so sweet- 1 star/cupcake, Super Sweet- 5 star/cupcake)
RATING CONSIDERATIONS
(+) Setting and awarded Literary Merit
(-) Writing style
