Shipwrecked and cast ashore onto an uninhabited island, Robinson Crusoe ingeniously carves out a solitary, primitive existence for 24 years. Eventually, he meets a young native whom he saves from death at the hands of cannibals. He calls him Man Friday and makes him his companion and servant.
Crusoe and Friday share in a variety of adventures, including a fierce battle with cannibals that culminates in the heroes recapturing a mutinous ship and returning to England.
Based partly on the real-life experiences of Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk, Defoe's novel of human endurance in an exotic, faraway land exerts a timeless appeal and has taken its rightful place among the great works of Western civilization.
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"This book took me forever to read; definitely not a page-turner. It's kind of hard to say what exactly I liked about the book, but overall I did like it. I didn't expect the religious subject matter but that was probably my favorite aspect of the book. The lack of emotion in the character of Robinson Crusoe is what made this book more of a chore to read. Even when he describes his emotions, it still feels like it's lacking emotion. When he finally gets some human companionship, the dialogue still wasn't very compelling. The book feels a little unorganized and unpolished, almost like a first draft, but I found it to have some elusive redeeming qualities."
— Lindsey (4 out of 5 stars)
" I like books where people get shipwrecked and have to build huts and grow their own food, etc. It's somewhat of a fantasy of mine, but I'm sure I wouldn't like it as much in reality as I do in my mind. On top of the above it also very much has spiritual/theological themes which I appreciated. "
— Nathan, 2/16/2014" A literary classic. I found this provoking adventure story a bit boring. "
— Chris, 2/15/2014" For some, I imagine this would be quite dense- with a lot of religious prose to get through- but it is a truly wonderful. "
— Lauren, 2/9/2014" Had its ups and downs, and took a while to finish, but all in all a great read. "
— Benjamin, 2/5/2014" Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic.... couldn't get enough..... life was so different then. RC spawned more than 600 rip-offs and I'm about to read the book that explains why! Desert Islands Discs is not one of my favourite radio shows for nothing! "
— Clare, 2/3/2014" It was fine. There are some good quotes and it's generally a good read. I just kept feeling like there was going to be more...like there was such a buildup that didn't quite pay off. "
— Julie, 2/3/2014" Well, the whole book was a collection of boring stuff. I just liked the part where Crusoe built his so-called castle. "
— Prashansa, 2/2/2014" When I first read this as a kid, I thought it was pretty interesting but also pretty racist. Now that I've read Ibn Tufayl's Hayy Ibn Yaqzan, I can safely say this is almost a worthless piece of shit. First novel in the English language, some say, but like a lot of white "firsts" in art, it's actually just a rip-off of a much more monumental first from much earlier that sucks a lot more. "
— David, 1/30/2014" I loved this book!! I had to read, and re-read, many passages as I was reluctant to leave any moment described behind. "
— Elani, 1/26/2014" Everybody should read this at some point in their life. "
— Maggie, 1/25/2014" I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. While slow paced and repetitive, I was enraptured by the protagonist's tale and was rooting for him from the start. Although Crusoe feels the need to tell us the same thing/describe the same procedures over and over again, his change in mentality throughout the book (as he grows up and becomes more knowledgeable and less rash) is fascinating. The fast paced ending was welcome and I'm glad everything turned out fine. "
— Karla, 1/21/2014" but I was little and reading it for spite so this review may be very off "
— Dillonef, 1/21/2014" Interesting book about how a man survives life sailing and all the troubles that is causes him doing so, including being stranded on a "mostly" deserted island. I do think many boys who don't particularly enjoy reading much would like this one full of adventures & trials. "
— Pamela, 1/16/2014" I must say, I don't really like the character of Robinson Crusoe. His imperialistic viewpoint of colonies, savages, slaves etc does not sit well with me. I also think he had it a bit too easy. He was very well equiped and was stranded on a very hospitable island with plenty of food sources and no predators. That being said, I do appreciate the impact this book would have had when it was first published in the 1700s and it has been interesting from a literary history point of view, reading a book which has been the source of so much inspiration. "
— Michelle, 1/11/2014" Great Summer read! Fun and entertaining. "
— Jayanacross, 1/10/2014" The worst book ever written. "
— Chris, 12/25/2013" Aside from the telling nature of the prose, Defoe's best-known work is a marvel of the times, and is still a masterpiece today. The integration of cultures and the characters who embody them makes for a fascinating read. The blurred line between civilized and savage is very central to the plot, with religion being the key to truly becoming a virtuous human being. "
— David, 12/23/2013" A fantastic meditation on the existence of God. "
— Paul, 12/20/2013" I would ae loved it but damn it got so boring! Started it two years ago and still not sure when I'll have THAT MUCH free time to finish it... "
— Arman, 12/14/2013" I really wanted to like this - but boring. "
— Hether, 12/12/2013" I did not enjoy it, at all. "
— Liliana, 12/10/2013" Pretty cool book, i'm picking up a lot of intel about what to do if i'm ever stranded on an island. lesson #1 is that you want the ship that wrecked you to wreck on the shore so that you can get all the stuff out. For a book written in 1719 it's not that difficult a read. "
— Patrick, 12/6/2013" Excellent piece of literature allowing me to immerse myself in an 18th century mindset. The English language itself is an experience with the long seemingly everlasting sentences. The long journey of Robinson's life is truly a classic and especially so if one allows oneself to pick up an unedited version with the original language. It makes me want to explore the 18th century further. "
— Haaze, 12/4/2013" Well written, but harder to read than most of the books I'm used to. "
— Lizzy, 12/2/2013" Loved it. It did more than entertain me, it really made me think about what is important in life. "
— Jason, 12/1/2013" This was the first novel ever written. Nothing like the films, because lots happens before he gets stranded, and afterwards. Remarkable, as it's entirely inside his head. Amazing. "
— Ann, 11/27/2013" Would be 2 stars but its interesting historically "
— Steve, 11/25/2013" oh this is a very good book. Makes the world of the 1690s seem relevant, real, like it still exists. "
— Blake, 11/12/2013" I have avoided this book for many years, finally I was ready to enjoy the pleasure of the writing, meticulous attention to details, and the peek into times past. Robinson Crusoe leaves his family for a life at sea which turns out to be long years on an island. "
— Correen, 11/5/2013" We were on the island farming and breeding goats for waaaaaaaaaaay too long. "
— Heather, 10/28/2013" I am glad to have read it, but can't say I enjoyed the process. "
— Megan, 10/23/2013" Would that I were so productive as to multiple my store to bountifully in this society as did Mr. Crusoe when he had none but cats and goats with which to divert himself. "
— Jurek, 10/6/2013" i love the lesson of this story "
— Romalyn, 9/25/2013" How many ways can you tell about life on an island... "
— Cmking14, 9/24/2013" Pretty cool book, i'm picking up a lot of intel about what to do if i'm ever stranded on an island. lesson #1 is that you want the ship that wrecked you to wreck on the shore so that you can get all the stuff out. For a book written in 1719 it's not that difficult a read. "
— Patrick, 9/20/2013" reading this book was like doing first steps as a baby cause have i never read books which would give you chance to see something new in this world, see other colours in grey life. i liked this book very much and hope u'll like it too "
— Nina, 9/15/2013" Loved the book and it was a great story. Disliked main character because of his bending religion to fit his needs - hypocritical. I'm not a religious person at all but this bugged me. Read book years ago but will always remember that. "
— Rhonda, 9/3/2013" I really enjoyed reading this book again. I haven't read it since high school, and it was nice to revisit it. I'd forgotten how much philosophy and introspection Robinson Crusoe does throughout the book. It was refreshing to read a book that reinforced my values without apologizing for them. "
— Marlene, 9/1/2013" Zanimljiva knjiga o prezivljavanju...Pitanje je da li je sve sto u njoj pise vazilo samo u to vreme...? "
— Rikki, 8/7/2013" Heathen though this may make me, this was one of the most boring books I have ever attempted to read. "
— Lu, 8/5/2013" While some parts were slow, I thought, in general it was a "page turner". Continually wondering what would happen next. "
— Bob, 8/2/2013" Quite different from what I remember as a kid. Quite gruesome. "
— Larry, 7/20/2013" I read this years ago but I remember liking a side of Robinson Crusoe I had never heard of before--how he was a rebellious son and after being shipwrecked becomes religious. The survival was also really interesting. "
— Elle, 7/5/2013" His tenacity and will to live are captivating. Vivid characters. Compelling. Loved it! "
— Cheryl, 6/20/2013" An interesting 2nd read, first time was in school at an early age and I clearly didn't recall the "depth" of the story. Back cover claims it to be the first English novel ever written.... "
— Wayne, 3/17/2013" Awful, outdated, boring and long-winded! "
— Louise, 3/7/2013" I enjoyed it very much. Absolutely fascinating! "
— Martin, 3/7/2013" Defoe is a brilliant storyteller here. I need a moment to think about how the notions of providence, Protestant faith, possession, and labor come together. I'm not entirely sure what he was attempting, but loved it. "
— Peter, 2/4/2013" I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed finding out how he survived on an island alone. Interesting. "
— Shelly, 2/4/2013" i cant seem to finish this book. its really depressing. one bad luck after another. i think i will leave this book unfinished. this one is making me sad. "
— Kaye, 1/10/2013" I was reminded recently that I enjoyed reading Robinson Crusoe several years ago - so I read it again! I read a version published by Focus on the Family's Great Stories collection. "
— Sonja, 1/1/2013" The harsh reality of slave-trading and oppression of the black is covertly depicted in this witfully written novel by Robinson Crusoe. A must read for everyone. "
— Gokhan, 12/6/2012" I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book many years ago. "
— Tom, 12/2/2012" My copy is an 1895 edition that was edieted for use in schools at that time. Foot notes were added to explain some things, and I believe some editing for brevity were done. "
— Cedar, 11/30/2012" At many times, it was so hard not to wish him dead already just to end the monotonous droning. "
— Olivia, 10/25/2012" Probably read this book three times. Had a time in my youth when I read a lot of survivor literature. "
— Aaron, 10/18/2012" Different than I thought it would be...but quite the survival story. I really enjoyed it. "
— Jennifer, 10/2/2012" Bahhh, read the last 50 for the interesting part. "
— Julia, 9/10/2012" Great story and adventure. Never realized the story was so long, especially after he left the island. "
— Greg, 7/12/2012" Good read that was made better reading it on the beach under a coconut palm. "
— Paul, 7/7/2012" A fun read, but glad it was short. "
— Rebecca, 5/17/2012" read to my children years ago "
— Darlene, 4/9/2012" Another great classic. Defoe is brilliant. Again, four instead of five mainly due to the fact that it is dated and sometimes hard to follow by the modern reader. An excellent book that should be a foundation for everyone's literary background. If you love adventure, this is a must read. "
— Roy, 4/6/2012" A literary classic. I found this provoking adventure story a bit boring. "
— Chris, 3/5/2012" Just as tedious as Hemmingway's "Old Man and the Sea", but 10x longer or so. OH GOD. "
— Azalea, 1/2/2012" I read the other reviews on this book and was a little afraid that it would be disappointing. However, i found it to be very fun and recommend it to anyone who loves stories of adventure and survival. "
— Dylan, 11/19/2011" i so longed for my own deserted island after reading this "
— Eva, 10/27/2011" I loathe this book. A man trapped on an island with a tribe of uncivilized people should be an interesting adventure, not a snooze-fest that takes even a fast reader over a year to muddle through. If you're that interested, find a movie adaptation and leave the book to rot on its shelf. "
— Cecilia, 10/2/2011" I enjoyed it very much. Absolutely fascinating! "
— Martin, 7/18/2011" but I was little and reading it for spite so this review may be very off "
— Dillonef, 6/29/2011" Would that I were so productive as to multiple my store to bountifully in this society as did Mr. Crusoe when he had none but cats and goats with which to divert himself. "
— Jurek, 6/29/2011" but I was little and reading it for spite so this review may be very off "
— Dillonef, 6/29/2011" Would that I were so productive as to multiple my store to bountifully in this society as did Mr. Crusoe when he had none but cats and goats with which to divert himself. "
— Jurek, 6/29/2011" but I was little and reading it for spite so this review may be very off "
— Dillonef, 6/29/2011" Would that I were so productive as to multiple my store to bountifully in this society as did Mr. Crusoe when he had none but cats and goats with which to divert himself. "
— Jurek, 6/29/2011" but I was little and reading it for spite so this review may be very off "
— Dillonef, 6/29/2011" Would that I were so productive as to multiple my store to bountifully in this society as did Mr. Crusoe when he had none but cats and goats with which to divert himself. "
— Jurek, 6/29/2011" It was a book that I think most should read, but I did not much care for it. "
— Simon, 6/28/2011" It was a book that I think most should read, but I did not much care for it. "
— Simon, 6/28/2011" It was a book that I think most should read, but I did not much care for it. "
— Simon, 6/28/2011" It was a book that I think most should read, but I did not much care for it. "
— Simon, 6/28/2011" A hugely influential work that seems to be a metaphor for European capitalism and expansion, accompanied by the expected hubris.<br/><br/>After having read this I would recommend Swift's Gulliver's Travels which takes a more pessimistic view of man's nature. "
— Russell, 6/15/2011" A hugely influential work that seems to be a metaphor for European capitalism and expansion, accompanied by the expected hubris.<br/><br/>After having read this I would recommend Swift's Gulliver's Travels which takes a more pessimistic view of man's nature. "
— Russell, 6/15/2011" A hugely influential work that seems to be a metaphor for European capitalism and expansion, accompanied by the expected hubris.<br/><br/>After having read this I would recommend Swift's Gulliver's Travels which takes a more pessimistic view of man's nature. "
— Russell, 6/15/2011" A hugely influential work that seems to be a metaphor for European capitalism and expansion, accompanied by the expected hubris.<br/><br/>After having read this I would recommend Swift's Gulliver's Travels which takes a more pessimistic view of man's nature. "
— Russell, 6/15/2011" i like this story but the language is too difficult for young people today. They won't stay with it to the end. "
— Randy, 6/13/2011" I had a hard time getting into this book, I'm not sure I ever really did. I'm not sure I liked the main character that much. Which made the book difficult for me to read since he's alone for a good chunk of it. Although it was interesting to see how his mind worked and to see his creativity. "
— Candi, 6/13/2011" i like this story but the language is too difficult for young people today. They won't stay with it to the end. "
— Randy, 6/13/2011" i like this story but the language is too difficult for young people today. They won't stay with it to the end. "
— Randy, 6/13/2011" I had a hard time getting into this book, I'm not sure I ever really did. I'm not sure I liked the main character that much. Which made the book difficult for me to read since he's alone for a good chunk of it. Although it was interesting to see how his mind worked and to see his creativity. "
— Candi, 6/13/2011" I had a hard time getting into this book, I'm not sure I ever really did. I'm not sure I liked the main character that much. Which made the book difficult for me to read since he's alone for a good chunk of it. Although it was interesting to see how his mind worked and to see his creativity. "
— Candi, 6/13/2011" I had a hard time getting into this book, I'm not sure I ever really did. I'm not sure I liked the main character that much. Which made the book difficult for me to read since he's alone for a good chunk of it. Although it was interesting to see how his mind worked and to see his creativity. "
— Candi, 6/13/2011" i like this story but the language is too difficult for young people today. They won't stay with it to the end. "
— Randy, 6/13/2011" Cannibals?! Long entries about acquiring provisions to survive on a deserted island?! Heavy-handed morality messages. I'm so glad that "children's literature" has evolved. I wouldn't have wanted to read this one as a child. "
— Dana, 6/10/2011" Cannibals?! Long entries about acquiring provisions to survive on a deserted island?! Heavy-handed morality messages. I'm so glad that "children's literature" has evolved. I wouldn't have wanted to read this one as a child. "
— Dana, 6/10/2011" Cannibals?! Long entries about acquiring provisions to survive on a deserted island?! Heavy-handed morality messages. I'm so glad that "children's literature" has evolved. I wouldn't have wanted to read this one as a child. "
— Dana, 6/10/2011" Cannibals?! Long entries about acquiring provisions to survive on a deserted island?! Heavy-handed morality messages. I'm so glad that "children's literature" has evolved. I wouldn't have wanted to read this one as a child. "
— Dana, 6/10/2011" Well, the whole book was a collection of boring stuff. I just liked the part where Crusoe built his so-called castle. "
— Prashansa, 6/8/2011" Well, the whole book was a collection of boring stuff. I just liked the part where Crusoe built his so-called castle. "
— Prashansa, 6/8/2011" Well, the whole book was a collection of boring stuff. I just liked the part where Crusoe built his so-called castle. "
— Prashansa, 6/8/2011" Well, the whole book was a collection of boring stuff. I just liked the part where Crusoe built his so-called castle. "
— Prashansa, 6/8/2011Daniel Defoe (1660–1731), born in London as Daniel Foe, was a novelist, pamphleteer, journalist, and political spy. He is celebrated for his frank and dramatic realism in fiction and the accuracy, vigor, and lucidity of his journalism. Considered the father of the English novel, he was also the first author of ghost stories in English literature. He is best known for his novels Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders.
Tony Britton is a renowned British classical stage actor who has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company. On television, he has appeared in Holby City, The Way We Live Now, and The Saint.