Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

8 reviews

wuzzbookz's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Wow, this book was a struggle. Many others have reviewed it better than I but in short it is a book which is hard work because of its pacing and style. Being an 18th century work I fully expected some rambling but the most annoying features were that the narrative is all over the place with the character constantly repeating himself in the first half of the book. Thus potentially interesting bits of the story are missed out and other duller pieces over elaborated upon. There were moments when I was more absorbed such as how he builds his shelter and as soon as Friday turned up at least it was more of a narrative (although he's only in the last quarter of the book).

There are also the problematic attitudes of the time as you'd expect which mean it has quite a different impact now than it would have done. After all he's wrecked on a voyage where he's headed to enslave people so I had no sympathy for him. I have to confess I also cheered when HR got food poisoning from bludgeoning a turtle. 

Also once he's rescued the book just won't stop and I skim read the bits with wolves which added nothing to the story at all and simply highlighted the views of the time towards wild animals (see Friday tormenting a bear when it was minding its own business).

All in all a slog and not a rewarding one
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stindex's review against another edition

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adventurous dark
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

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afrinazerinnoor's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

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danpeachey's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

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negativesex's review against another edition

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challenging reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

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emmy9937's review against another edition

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The survival part was kinda cool but I couldn’t get over the slavery aspect and how Robinson seemed to be able to justify it to himself even though he didn’t want to be a slave himself. I can appreciate the effect this book had on the English literature at the time but I don’t want to read it myself due to the slavery aspect. It’s just icky. 
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ashtonpaige's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

0.25

racist
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aconfundityofcrows's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted

3.0

That moment when even your pets are roasting you because you are an eight year old trying to be a survivalist like Robinson Crusoe.
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