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Robinson Crusoe

Daniel Defoe

Start date: April 1, 2022

Finish date: April 30, 2022

Discussion: Lesser Know/Wilderness Classics

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Lesser Know/Wilderness Classics

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By Lesle , Appalachain Bibliophile · 72 posts · 196 views

last updated Sep 06, 2025 07:14AM

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By Lesle , Appalachain Bibliophile · 78 posts · 113 views

last updated Sep 26, 2025 05:58PM

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Jul 08, 2023 ForestGardenGal rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: genre-fiction, type-philosophy-religion, classics-published-50-years-ago, type-epistolary, genre-historical-fiction, location-england, location-caribbean, location-high-seas, theme-stranded, theme-survival

The ebb and flow of a weak mind.

I was not at all impressed with this work of historical fiction for several reasons.

First, as a literary work- the writing was mundane, the storyline not compelling, and the main character was almost the ideal trope of TSTL (too stupid to live). While I give Crusoe high marks for determination and survival, he neglected to learn and continually placed himself in bad and avoidable situations.

Secondly, as a meaningful work- Daniel De Foe obviously meant for this to The ebb and flow of a weak mind.

I was not at all impressed with this work of historical fiction for several reasons.

First, as a literary work- the writing was mundane, the storyline not compelling, and the main character was almost the ideal trope of TSTL (too stupid to live). While I give Crusoe high marks for determination and survival, he neglected to learn and continually placed himself in bad and avoidable situations.

Secondly, as a meaningful work- Daniel De Foe obviously meant for this to be a work about redemption, forgiveness, and the superiority of both the English people and their (Protestant) Christian religion. Unfortunately, he fails miserably. This book was difficult for me to read as anything but a satire mocking and warning of the dangers of both the conqueror's colonization mentality and of religions in general.

Specifically, this book highlights a big philosophy of religion issue, namely, how hypocritical proselytizing must always be. To assume that your God is the one true God, and the God of another must necessarily be a false idol is the epitome of hubris. Even if you were correct, does it necessarily follow that the other guy's religion cannot be referring to the same God entity by another name? Particularly if they speak a different language? Thus, by calling others heathens and attempting to eradicate their religion and their God, could you not be harming them for no good heavenly purpose?

PG13 for violence and disturbing cultural intolerance. No sex, no language.

Note, I read two different Kindle versions simultaneously, and they differed very little in the main content. The main differences being that The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (1808) had a very good preface about the author, and was a more complete version of the Journal with fewer typos and scannos, while The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801) had several pages lost from the transcription of the Journal, which were noted in the preface and well marked inline where missing from the text; notwithstanding, this version did also include the bonus texts The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe as well as The Life of Alexander Selkirk, thought by some to be De Foe's inspiration for his story. Both were good options if you want to read the primary work, known commonly as the Journal. ...more

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