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Robinson Crusoe

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Robinson Crusoe

By: Daniel Defoe
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Widely regarded as the first English novel, Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe is one of the most popular and influential adventure stories of all time.

This classic tale of shipwreck and survival on an uninhabited island was an instant success when first published in 1719, and it has inspired countless imitations.

In his own words, Robinson Crusoe tells of the terrible storm that drowned all his shipmates and left him marooned on a deserted island. Forced to overcome despair, doubt, and self-pity, he struggles to create a life for himself in the wilderness. From practically nothing, Crusoe painstakingly learns how to make pottery, grow crops, domesticate livestock, and build a house. His many adventures are recounted in vivid detail, including a fierce battle with cannibals and his rescue of Friday, the man who becomes his trusted companion.

Full of enchanting detail and daring heroics, Robinson Crusoe is a celebration of courage, patience, ingenuity, and hard work.

Public Domain (P)2008 Tantor Action & Adventure Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Sea Adventures Adventure Funny Feel-Good
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I enjoyed listening to this book, but think I benefitted from listening first. I think reading through the book may have been harder work. Most is monologe (of course, if deserted by oneself on an island) and occasionally dragged. However if you have already read and love the book, you will not be disappointed with this audio version. The narration is very good. I was surprised by some phrases and idealogies, but then it was written a very long time ago, when the status of women, black people, and 'savages' was considerably different, and considered acceptable and normal.

Very good

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The narration felt natural on this one once the story got rolling. I appreciated the slightly northern accent in context of Crusoe hailing from Yorkshire.

This is a relatively easy classic to digest...except for the nonchalant slave trade ventures and condescension towards all non-whites. Still, those reveal as much about the author's time than they do about Defoe.

Another Classic

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Where does Robinson Crusoe rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Great listen. Very enjoyable, one of the best books every written in English, in my opinion.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Robinson Crusoe?

There are many.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favourite?

Robinson, of course.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

It would be Castaway

Any additional comments?

Great voice, good to listen to.

Great

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This book was interesting from a historical context and also a good story. The book was published on April 25, 1719. Its full title was "The Life and strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner: Who lived Eight and Twenty Years, all alone in an un-inhabited Island on the coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, where-in all the Men perished but himself. With An Account how he was at last as strangely deliver'd by Pyrates. Written by Himself". Great title for charades.

Novelist James Joyce noted that the true symbol of the British conquest is Robinson Crusoe: "He is the true prototype of the British colonist. ? The whole Anglo-Saxon spirit is in Crusoe: the manly independence, the unconscious cruelty, the persistence, the slow yet efficient intelligence, the sexual apathy, the calculating taciturnity." I found the book interesting for the different values and conflicting morals held by RC and the normality with which these values were accepted in that day. Historically informative.

A well-read book that keeps the listener interested.

Historically interesting, Good story.

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amazing story of a man's resilience against hostile environments and against all odds becoming a better man for it .
despite it being set in a time where slavery was normal and prejudice ingrown into society the resulting connections between man and his fellow man are interwoven in a wonderfull fantasy of adventure , overcoming all odds and redemption .

flabergasting story

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