Reviews

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, Dan Larsen

sara_reads_things's review against another edition

4.0

Just finished this classic as part of my "100 books before you die" challenge. 94 down, only 6 more to go.

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steven_nobody's review against another edition

5.0

I love this book because it offers adventure, has been read by many generations, and provides unsettling insight into the transatlantic slave trade, which I didn't expect. Unsettling because of how nonchalant Crusoe is about it. I also appreciate his spiritual reflections, as they made me evaluate the good things in my life, such as nearly six years of sobriety. He was on the island 28 years, 2 months, and 18 days. Coincidentally, I have been at my job for the nearly same length of time that Crusoe was on the island. When it gets to be exactly that, I will celebrate my “Robinson Crusoe Anniversary,” September 26, 2025.

cooldwaters's review against another edition

adventurous challenging slow-paced

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

0.5

Robinson Crusoe is a cat-murderer and a racist, enough said.

ellie_214's review against another edition

adventurous reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

jonnybrick's review against another edition

5.0

Man on island befriends native. Tender portrait of humanity which introduced 'the novel' into popular discussion.

cillygirl75's review against another edition

2.0

I think this was one of the longest books I've ever read. I enjoyed the story, but I really think that it could have ended when he got off the island and got married. The other adventures after seemed frivolous and unnecessary. Also, why would you want to keep traveling after you've been trapped on an island for 30 years?

cronopista's review against another edition

1.0

So you find yourself in a deserted island: what do you do first? Maybe explore it? Oh no, don't be impatient! First you must spend about a year building a proper, civilized home, and then you can peek outside. But just a peek, because your second year you should be pretty busy making pots and pans and growing grain so that you can, yes!, reinvent English cooking! Of course, a full exploration will have to wait until the sixth year, but you will have done far more important things by then, like, praying a lot and becoming even more racist and ethnocentric than you were when you first arrived.

This book is boring and completely devoid of any insight, spirit or thought beyond the most basic Christian platitudes. It is amusing to see Robinson deal with Friday who, even when he learns "to speak" (he doesn't learn English, no, he learns "to speak") never utters his real name: I found particularly hilarious the moment when Friday puts Robinson's foot on his own head, which Robinson unequivocally interprets as a generous offer to be "his slave forever".

Some idiotic reviews out there say that one should take on account the historical context and blah blah blah: BS. There are plenty of much older books, from the Iliad to Cervantes and Shakespeare (a 100 years earlier) that do not fall into this book's many, many errors, both ideological and literary.

lisaesmee's review against another edition

3.0

The beginning of this novel is plain and boring. Just a guy not knowing where he fits and therefore decides to pack his stuff and lives all around the globe.
Then once he got stranded on the island things started to get more interesting. I loved reading about his everyday life, habits and fears. Crusoe grew on me.
The reason why it didn't earn 5 stars is because of the beginning and because all the parts that are related to God and the Bible. I'm not a believer which made it a bit dull at times.
So in the end 3.8 stars out of 5.

literatureimp's review against another edition

2.0

I had to read this for my masters exam and it was so boring I considered dropping out. I’m sure some people genuinely like it…

missvillanelle's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0