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Robinson Crusoe

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Robinson Crusoe

By: Daniel Defoe
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Summary

 Widely regarded as the first English novel, Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe is one of the most popular and influential adventure stories of all time.

This classic tale of shipwreck and survival on an uninhabited island was an instant success when first published in 1719, and it has inspired countless imitations.

In his own words, Robinson Crusoe tells of the terrible storm that drowned all his shipmates and left him marooned on a deserted island. Forced to overcome despair, doubt, and self-pity, he struggles to create a life for himself in the wilderness. From practically nothing, Crusoe painstakingly learns how to make pottery, grow crops, domesticate livestock, and build a house. His many adventures are recounted in vivid detail, including a fierce battle with cannibals and his rescue of Friday, the man who becomes his trusted companion.

Full of enchanting detail and daring heroics, Robinson Crusoe is a celebration of courage, patience, ingenuity, and hard work.

Public Domain (P)2008 Tantor Action & Adventure Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Sea Adventures Adventure Funny Feel-Good
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Is there anything you would change about this book?

It needs editing. I actually like all the detail about how he survives on the island. It's the latter sections of the book that are the problem. There's a clear natural finishing point for the story but Defoe kept on writing beyond it.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It's like the final Lord Of The Rings movie, it just didn't know when to end.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No but I will listen to more. Very very good.

Could you see Robinson Crusoe being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

Well I think it's already been done, but Desmond from Lost would be my choice.

Good, but not great

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Really good story.
I assume one of my favourite books to listen to, The Martian, is based on this concept.

The attitude of the castaway is always what prevails.

There were a few aspects which I found all too convenient. But nevertheless, really enjoyed the story and would recommend.

I would recommend to anyone who enjoyed The Martian and for anyone who likes a diary-esq book.

I would also recommend this book as a break between a long series (in my case A song of fire and ice series) as it's easy to follow and will relax your brain as there isn't many characters.

Loved it

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This book was interesting from a historical context and also a good story. The book was published on April 25, 1719. Its full title was "The Life and strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner: Who lived Eight and Twenty Years, all alone in an un-inhabited Island on the coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, where-in all the Men perished but himself. With An Account how he was at last as strangely deliver'd by Pyrates. Written by Himself". Great title for charades.

Novelist James Joyce noted that the true symbol of the British conquest is Robinson Crusoe: "He is the true prototype of the British colonist. ? The whole Anglo-Saxon spirit is in Crusoe: the manly independence, the unconscious cruelty, the persistence, the slow yet efficient intelligence, the sexual apathy, the calculating taciturnity." I found the book interesting for the different values and conflicting morals held by RC and the normality with which these values were accepted in that day. Historically informative.

A well-read book that keeps the listener interested.

Historically interesting, Good story.

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amazing story of a man's resilience against hostile environments and against all odds becoming a better man for it .
despite it being set in a time where slavery was normal and prejudice ingrown into society the resulting connections between man and his fellow man are interwoven in a wonderfull fantasy of adventure , overcoming all odds and redemption .

flabergasting story

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just good old fashioned story that most kids used to imagine and dream about

brilliant

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