Questions About Robinson Crusoe

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Answered Questions (10)

This book is soooooo boring. I'm like one-third through the book and it's just boring me to death but I have to read it for English. Does anyone agree?

Jonathan At one point (30-35% in) Crusoe tells the reader how he is running low on ink, and so he decides to write only the important stuff. I was very happy t…moreAt one point (30-35% in) Crusoe tells the reader how he is running low on ink, and so he decides to write only the important stuff. I was very happy to hear this...

Sadly he lied.

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Some of the comments on Robinson Crusoe got me wondering if I should read it. I am interested in the adventure, but if the story doesn't flow fast enough I will get bored out of my mind and not finish it. Should I worry about a boring book?

Paul Of Sit back, relax and savor the read! If you can't do that then you Will be bored. The book, however, is NOT boring. It just may not be up to your "flow…moreSit back, relax and savor the read! If you can't do that then you Will be bored. The book, however, is NOT boring. It just may not be up to your "flow fast enough" expectations.
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Please tell me what are the racist issues in this book?

Niki The racism in the book turned my stomach. When he saves one of the Indians from the "savages" the guys gets down on his knees, puts his head on Robins…moreThe racism in the book turned my stomach. When he saves one of the Indians from the "savages" the guys gets down on his knees, puts his head on Robinson's feet and swears to serve him (or some such nonsense). There are many other instances of casually written racism in the book.(less)

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Most boring book I ever laid hands on! Why this is canonized and deemed good literature is simply beyond me! I guess it's only in the canon for being the first English novel or whatever but it's a disgrace! Why would anyone consider this a classic?

David Deng It is one of the most amazing books I have ever read! Simply put, the whole book is a fantasy that reads like a realistic account, and it allows imagi…moreIt is one of the most amazing books I have ever read! Simply put, the whole book is a fantasy that reads like a realistic account, and it allows imagination to blossom. You may like Harry Potter, which constructs a magical, fictional universe that is connected to our own. Robinson Crusoe was a work of art in the same way in its time. Even nowadays, I found its charm undiminished. Think about it: it is talking about a long gone world, with no resemblance to our own. Yet, we find in it themes of salvation, idealism, peace, and overcoming hardship. The lament, introspection, and occasional triumph in the prose delivers not only a story, but also a deep portrayal of Crusoe and Defoe's character. This is not a story written just because the author has a story to tell. It was written because the author has something to say in addition. If you can get used to 18th century prose (by reading works of Jonathan Swift, the US constitution etc. ) I think you will find the book quite enjoyable. On a personal side note, I cannot understand why anybody would find making candles from goat’s tallow and rags uninteresting. (less)

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Defoe often refers to "the United States of America", and the u S A. What can be this reference, knowing at the time of writing, the USA did not exist.?