Audio Book | 674mins

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe in english

Robinson Crusoe is perhaps the most famous castaway of all time. Whilst many of us have not read Defoe’s iconic book, Robinson Crusoe is a character that is familiar to us all. Aided by the hundreds of movies and theatre productions that the book spurned, Crusoe is a household name. Credited with being the first "real fiction" book, this fictional autobiography tells the tale of a young man who found himself shipwrecked on a remote island for 28 years. The story is said to be based on the dramatic life of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish castaway who lived alone for four years on a Pacific island. With a recent trend in reality TV shows based on survival and being "castaway", everybody has ideas on how they would cope alone in the wild. So, why read this novel if we think we know best? The truth is, Defoe’s portrayal of the trials and tribulations of Crusoe give raw insight into the reality and loneliness of having no companionship and no hope. Described by Samuel T. Coleridge as "The Universal Man", there is certainly lots to admire, whether you like the character or not. Many imitations have been written over the years but nothing grabs the reader quite as much as Defoe’s tales of solitude and desperation. The book has a simple narrative and at times is overly descriptive but is always engaging. Adventure fans will love the jam packed action, where we see Crusoe taming animals, hunting, venturing into cannibalism plus the odd pirate or two. The modern reader is likely to struggle with some of the moral issues that the book brings to the surface, with dubious views on slavery and strong religious overtones but don’t let this put you off. The book is a classic for a reason, it provokes deep emotion whether that be negative or positive.

Literature

•

english

Listens305

22 Episodes

Part131minsApr 27,2020

Chapter 1: Start in Life

Part228minsApr 26,2020

Chapter 2: Slavery & Escape

Part322minsApr 25,2020

Chapter 3a: Wrecked On a Desert Island, Part 1

Part421minsApr 24,2020

Chapter 3b, Part 2

Part519minsApr 23,2020

Chapter 4a: First Weeks On the Island, Part 1

Part630minsApr 22,2020

Chapter 4b, Part 2

Part731minsApr 21,2020

Chapter 5: Builds a House - The Journal

Part832minsApr 20,2020

Chapter 6: Ill and Conscience-Stricken

Part921minsApr 19,2020

Chapter 7: Agricultural Experience

Part1024minsApr 18,2020

Chapter 8: Surveys His Position

Part1138minsApr 17,2020

Chapter 9: A Boat

Part1227minsApr 16,2020

Chapter 10: Tames Goats

Part1331minsApr 15,2020

Chapter 11: Finds Print of Man's Foot on the Sand

Part1440minsApr 14,2020

Chapter 12: A Cave Retreat

Part1531minsApr 13,2020

Chapter 13: Wreck of a Spanish Ship

Part1638minsApr 12,2020

Chapter 14: A Dream Realized

Part1736minsApr 11,2020

Chapter 15: Friday's Education

Part1838minsApr 10,2020

Chapter 16: Rescue of Prisoners From Cannibals

Part1936minsApr 09,2020

Chapter 17: Visit of Mutineers

Part2038minsApr 08,2020

Chapter 18: The Ship Recovered

Part2134minsApr 07,2020

Chapter 19: Return to England

Part2228minsApr 06,2020

Chapter 20: Fight Between Friday and a Bear

Details

Robinson Crusoe is perhaps the most famous castaway of all time. Whilst many of us have not read Defoe’s iconic book, Robinson Crusoe is a character that is familiar to us all. Aided by the hundreds of movies and theatre productions that the book spurned, Crusoe is a household name. Credited with being the first "real fiction" book, this fictional autobiography tells the tale of a young man who found himself shipwrecked on a remote island for 28 years. The story is said to be based on the dramatic life of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish castaway who lived alone for four years on a Pacific island. With a recent trend in reality TV shows based on survival and being "castaway", everybody has ideas on how they would cope alone in the wild. So, why read this novel if we think we know best? The truth is, Defoe’s portrayal of the trials and tribulations of Crusoe give raw insight into the reality and loneliness of having no companionship and no hope. Described by Samuel T. Coleridge as "The Universal Man", there is certainly lots to admire, whether you like the character or not. Many imitations have been written over the years but nothing grabs the reader quite as much as Defoe’s tales of solitude and desperation. The book has a simple narrative and at times is overly descriptive but is always engaging. Adventure fans will love the jam packed action, where we see Crusoe taming animals, hunting, venturing into cannibalism plus the odd pirate or two. The modern reader is likely to struggle with some of the moral issues that the book brings to the surface, with dubious views on slavery and strong religious overtones but don’t let this put you off. The book is a classic for a reason, it provokes deep emotion whether that be negative or positive.