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Robinson Crusoe is a novel written by Daniel Defoe and published in 1719. It is considered one of the first and most famous adventure novels in English literature. The story is based on the real-life experiences of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor who was marooned on a deserted island for several years.
The novel follows the journey of Robinson Crusoe, a young Englishman who sets sail against his family’s wishes. After a series of misfortunes and shipwrecks, Crusoe finds himself the sole survivor on a remote island in the Caribbean.
Initially filled with despair and loneliness, Crusoe gradually adapts to his new environment. He learns to survive by scavenging supplies from the shipwreck and utilizing his presence of mind and ingenuity. He builds a home, cultivates crops and even domesticates animals. He learns to hunt, fish and carve tools, gradually mastering the art of becoming self-independent.
As the years pass, Crusoe’s isolation is broken when he discovers footprints on the beach, indicating the presence of cannibals. He rescues one of their captives, a native named Friday, and they form a deep bond. Crusoe teaches Friday English and converts him to Christianity, and together they defend the island from attackers.
The novel delves into themes of survival, self-reliance and the ability to survive in the face of odds. Crusoe’s transformation from a naive and reckless young man to a seasoned survivor is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptation.
Robinson Crusoe is known for its detailed descriptions, realistic portrayal of Crusoe’s daily life on the island and its exploration of themes such as colonialism and imperialism. It has been praised for its fluid narrative, which is presented as Crusoe’s journal, lending an intimate and personal touch to the story.
The everlasting appeal of Robinson Crusoe lies in its celebration of the triumph of the human spirit. The novel has inspired countless adaptations, sequels and retellings in various forms of media, and has made its place as a classic in the literary canon. It continues to captivate readers with its tale of survival, adventure and the indomitable human spirit.
Robinson Crusoe is a novel written by Daniel Defoe and published in 1719. It is considered one of the first and most famous adventure novels in English literature. The story is based on the real-life experiences of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor who was marooned on a deserted island for several years.
The novel follows the journey of Robinson Crusoe, a young Englishman who sets sail against his family’s wishes. After a series of misfortunes and shipwrecks, Crusoe finds himself the sole survivor on a remote island in the Caribbean.
Initially filled with despair and loneliness, Crusoe gradually adapts to his new environment. He learns to survive by scavenging supplies from the shipwreck and utilizing his presence of mind and ingenuity. He builds a home, cultivates crops and even domesticates animals. He learns to hunt, fish and carve tools, gradually mastering the art of becoming self-independent.
As the years pass, Crusoe’s isolation is broken when he discovers footprints on the beach, indicating the presence of cannibals. He rescues one of their captives, a native named Friday, and they form a deep bond. Crusoe teaches Friday English and converts him to Christianity, and together they defend the island from attackers.
The novel delves into themes of survival, self-reliance and the ability to survive in the face of odds. Crusoe’s transformation from a naive and reckless young man to a seasoned survivor is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptation.
Robinson Crusoe is known for its detailed descriptions, realistic portrayal of Crusoe’s daily life on the island and its exploration of themes such as colonialism and imperialism. It has been praised for its fluid narrative, which is presented as Crusoe’s journal, lending an intimate and personal touch to the story.
The everlasting appeal of Robinson Crusoe lies in its celebration of the triumph of the human spirit. The novel has inspired countless adaptations, sequels and retellings in various forms of media, and has made its place as a classic in the literary canon. It continues to captivate readers with its tale of survival, adventure and the indomitable human spirit.
Daniel Defoe was an English writer and journalist known for his versatility and contribution to various literary genres. Though Defoe is best remembered for his ground-breaking novel Robinson Crusoe, he also made significant contributions to journalism, political pamphlets and other works of fiction.
Defoe’s early life is not well-documented, but he was born into a Dissenting Protestant family in London. He later added the aristocratic sounding ‘De’ to his surname. Defoe had a diverse career that included trading, journalism and political activism. He wrote extensively on economic, social and political matters, often using pseudonyms to express his views. He was known for his straightforward and persuasive writing style, earning him recognition as one of the pioneers of modern journalism.
In 1719, Defoe published his most famous work, Robinson Crusoe. The novel, inspired by the real-life experiences of marooned sailor Alexander Selkirk, tells the captivating story of a man stranded on a deserted island. Robinson Crusoe is looked upon as one of the earliest examples of realistic fiction and is renowned for its vivid descriptions, values it teaches and exploration of human resilience.
Defoe’s other notable works include Moll Flanders, a novel that follows the life of a cunning and resourceful woman, and A Journal of the Plague Year, a fictionalized account of the Great Plague of London in 1665. These works showcase Defoe’s ability to create relatable characters and realistic narratives, often drawing from his observations of society and human nature.
While Defoe’s literary achievements were significant, he also faced political and legal challenges throughout his life. He was imprisoned for his controversial writings and faced periods of financial hardship. Nonetheless, he continued writing prolifically until his death in 1731, leaving behind a vast body of work that has influenced generations of writers.
Daniel Defoe’s impact on English literature cannot be overstated. His innovative approach to storytelling, realistic narratives and social commentary laid the foundation for the development of the novel as a literary form. Defoe’s works continue to be studied, celebrated and adapted, solidifying his legacy as a trailblazing writer and a key figure in the evolution of English literature.
Books that Speak to us Across Time
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Trove seeks to preserve the tradition of reading by publishing books from the past. It is a treasure chest of the most precious works across various genres. Our vision is to keep alive works that have stood the test of time and pass them on to the next generation of readers.
Readers can browse and purchase titles in the Trove collection, gleaned from the huge ocean of treasured writings in the public domain, and republished. What’s more, Trove books can be read on paper or screen as they are available in a variety of formats.
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1. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
2. Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw
3. The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells
4. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
5. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
6. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
7. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
8. A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man by James Joyce
9. The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
10. The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy
11. Moby Dick or The Whale by Melville Herman
12. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
13. Animal Farm by George Orwell
14. Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne
15. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
16. She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith
17. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
18. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
19. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
20. Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
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The Life and
Adventures of
Robinson Crusoe
By
Daniel Defoe
With Illustrations by H. M. Brock
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