The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe tells the tale of a man who relies on his own resourcefulness to survive in isolation on a deserted island. While it may not be one of my favorites, it was worthwhile to finally read this classic story.
Robinson Crusoe has a great desire to see the world and, against his father’s wishes, goes to sea. After surviving a terrible shipwreck, however, Robinson Crusoe discovers he is the only person on a deserted island, far from any shipping routes or rescue. Using tools salvaged from the ship and with only the ship’s dog and cats for company, Crusoe builds a dwelling and a search reveals a plentiful supply of food. For nearly twenty-three years he lives without any human company – until one Friday, when he discovers he is not alone… The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe is a classic tale of adventure and survival.
There is a reason I’ve always struggled to get into classic novels from centuries ago, and it mainly boils down to the style of writing. The language, phrasing, and overall tone from the 1700s doesn’t resonate with me, making it difficult to follow along and takes me forever to comprehend. This, of course, is a personal preference and may not be the same for all.
Beyond the writing style, I honestly found the story itself to be underwhelming of sorts. Crusoe accepts his situation far too quickly, setting up life on a deserted island without my introspection. Reading a story written in the 1700s through the lens of modern day knowledge can also have its challenges. For example, his treatment of Friday as a servant, rather than a fellow companion, felt like a missed opportunity to challenge the norms of the time. Instead, Crusoe defaults to his prejudiced mindset of his time.
As I mentioned, even through I haven’t read many classics, I felt like Daniel Defoe’s The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe was a must-read for me to understand a bit more of its place in literary history. I can certainly understand why it’s considered a classic and has been celebrated for years. That said, it definitely wasn’t my favorite. The style of writing and the story itself didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. But I can at least say that I’ve read this iconic work.
The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe was first published in 1719 and is available at bookstores everywhere.
