Few books require anyone to rethink the availability and nature of the fundamentals of life: Water, food, shelter, clothing, and entertainment. Then having become solitary in our own minds as a reader, Defoe adds the extraordinary complication of providing a companion who is totally different from Crusoe. This provides the important opportunity to see Crusoe's civilized limitations compared to Friday's more natural ones. The comparisons will make for thought-provoking reading for those who are able to overcome the stalled thinking that the educated, civilized route is always the best.

One of the things that I specially liked about the book is the Crusoe is an ordinary person in many ways, making lots of mistakes, and having lots of setbacks. Put a modern Superhero (from either the comic books, adventure or spy novels, or the movies) into this situation, and it would all be solved in a few minutes with devices from the heel of one's shoe. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I liked the trial-and-error explorations. They seemed just like everyday life, and made the book's many lessons come home to me in a more fundamental way.

Have a good solitary trip through this book!


The repetition reminded me of religious books!   January 13, 2004
 11 out of 24 found this review helpful

I’m about halfway through this book and it is really boring and long winded. There is an incredible amount of repetition to point in which you stop being interested. I.e. “I build another fence” “I raise a goat” “I build another fence” “I make a basket”. It has a deeply religious feel about it. He is constantly thanking god for saving him and providing for him. The word “Providence” is said about twice on every page (no joke). The repetition reminded me of how religious books are written.

I was really looking forward to this book but, I’m beginning to not be able to face it anymore.

One of the other reviewers says the book picks up a little when he meets Friday.

“He is able to understand the dignity of the "savage" and look upon him eventually as an equal in some ways although still a servant”

I can only guess but I can imagine this point I reinforced by repetition.

If I was stuck on an island with this BOOK I’d probably do something else, like make a pot……or build a fence…..or raise a goat……. Or make another pot…..and thank god for PROVIDENCE!!....(do I make my point)

Read Treasure Island for an adventure


Don't expect an all out adventure!   August 9, 2001
 19 out of 22 found this review helpful

Robinson crusoe must be one of the most instantly recogniseable and well known characters ever portrayed in fiction. The basics of the story - Crusoes desertion on a desert island, battle for survival and eventual triumph over adversity, appealing to people of all ages and backgrounds. Yet the archaic writing style can detract from the classic adventure story, as can the lack of real action. Instead the book comes across as a story of human resiliance and spirit, the fact that it is apparently based on the real life experiences of a stranded sailor make the story all the more remarkable. Thought to be the first "novel" ever published it is understandable that the writing does not flow in the same way as contemporary fiction, but the overall sophistication of Defoe's ideas is pleasantly surprising in the context that he HAD no contemporaries to influence him or compare to.

It is the romance of the story line that holds him in our collective consciousness and draws new readers to this book in their droves, but to read it as an adventure story of the "Treasure Island" mould is to miss the point, and will inevitably dissappoint. However, read it as a commentary on humanity and it is immensely valuable and enjoyable.


Long winded but interesting from a humanitarian viewpoint   November 23, 2000
 12 out of 17 found this review helpful

I found this book really dragged. Crusoe never really has any exciting adventures until way into the book. For the first two or three hundred pages it's mostly an account of goat husbandry and the difficulties of making ink and paper etc. It hots up when he rescues Man Friday from some cannibals and their relationship is interesting and compelling. Crusoe is forced to be open minded because he has noone else around except his parrot. He is able to understand the dignity of the "savage" and look upon him eventually as an equal in some ways although still a servant. I liked the fact that it questions our relationship with those we feel are beneath us in whatever way.