Book Review: Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
Disclaimer: This is apparently the first English Novel published as per the foreword in the book. It was published in 1719 (nearly 400 years ago) and I am sure major luminaries have reviewed this book - I am humbled by their company. This is my attempt to start recording my reviews of books that I feel are a great read.
The book is narrated in a first person account - this makes it a very easy read. At least, I think so. It starts off with Robin's life as a boy, his desire to explore the world and father's advice to stick to his station in life - i.e. the upper rung of the lower class. Robin, of course, disregards his father's advice and goes on various voyages in the seas. He goes on to make some money and settles down in Brazil (referred to as Brazils in the book). He ventures to the sea on the fateful voyage that drives him to an uninhabited island.
The actual interesting part starts from here, where his feelings begin with despair for not having anything on him. He begins by making a swim to the wrecked ship, finds a boat (or a makeshift one) and then gets basic essentials to the island. He then makes multiple trips to the wreck and gets most of the useful stuff before the ship sinks.
He starts living in a cave and gradually makes it more and more comfortable for him to live. The book is interesting and gives insight into the priorities of a person stuck in an island like this. I was specifically impressed by the 4 important things he lays out for himself (These are not the exact words, but its the message)
1. Food
2. Shelter from the scorching sun and rains
3. Protection from wild animals
4. A vantage point to see if he can spot any ships that are passing and raise attention.
For a novel written 400 years ago, I feel the list here are applicable even to date. The 3rd point can be interpreted as Protection from unknown events and the 4th point can be interpreted as the position to watch out for new opportunities for improvement.
The book goes on to describes his industriousness in improving his life on the island. From nothing, he goes to a stage where he makes fire, grows corn, makes a hearth and bakes his own bread - This is shown as a major event in his life. Imagine, you could walk into the neighborhood bakery and buy bread for 20 bucks!
He ruminates on his life, starts out by calling the island as "Island of Despair" and makes it more and more livable for himself. Another great insight he says - We would always pray for deliverance from sin rather than deliverance from affliction (or troubles). I think this is a great insight - rather than worry about his troubles, he talks about the great things gifted to him and regrets the past sins (or mistakes, if you are not religiously inclined!).
The last few chapters of the book recounts his meeting with other human beings (after 25+ years) and how he is scared of people having lost touch with them for so many years. In the end, he builds a boat and with the help of a ship escapes from the island.
It is a great book and is very interesting to read his exploits on the island. Apparently the author was inspired by some real life cast away stories and went on to pen this novel. The language used in this book might be a tad difficult - with long sentences and old words that are not in use now.
Off late, I have started developing liking for human adventures against nature's elements with minimal machine support - like cycling for 100 km e.g. :-) - and this book was exactly that. How a man can survive in an uninhabited island for many many years and with just his spirit, he can learn multiple life skills and live a good life (good of course is relative here).
For any book lover, this is a must read.
Disclaimer: This is apparently the first English Novel published as per the foreword in the book. It was published in 1719 (nearly 400 years ago) and I am sure major luminaries have reviewed this book - I am humbled by their company. This is my attempt to start recording my reviews of books that I feel are a great read.
The book is narrated in a first person account - this makes it a very easy read. At least, I think so. It starts off with Robin's life as a boy, his desire to explore the world and father's advice to stick to his station in life - i.e. the upper rung of the lower class. Robin, of course, disregards his father's advice and goes on various voyages in the seas. He goes on to make some money and settles down in Brazil (referred to as Brazils in the book). He ventures to the sea on the fateful voyage that drives him to an uninhabited island.
The actual interesting part starts from here, where his feelings begin with despair for not having anything on him. He begins by making a swim to the wrecked ship, finds a boat (or a makeshift one) and then gets basic essentials to the island. He then makes multiple trips to the wreck and gets most of the useful stuff before the ship sinks.
He starts living in a cave and gradually makes it more and more comfortable for him to live. The book is interesting and gives insight into the priorities of a person stuck in an island like this. I was specifically impressed by the 4 important things he lays out for himself (These are not the exact words, but its the message)
1. Food
2. Shelter from the scorching sun and rains
3. Protection from wild animals
4. A vantage point to see if he can spot any ships that are passing and raise attention.
For a novel written 400 years ago, I feel the list here are applicable even to date. The 3rd point can be interpreted as Protection from unknown events and the 4th point can be interpreted as the position to watch out for new opportunities for improvement.
The book goes on to describes his industriousness in improving his life on the island. From nothing, he goes to a stage where he makes fire, grows corn, makes a hearth and bakes his own bread - This is shown as a major event in his life. Imagine, you could walk into the neighborhood bakery and buy bread for 20 bucks!
He ruminates on his life, starts out by calling the island as "Island of Despair" and makes it more and more livable for himself. Another great insight he says - We would always pray for deliverance from sin rather than deliverance from affliction (or troubles). I think this is a great insight - rather than worry about his troubles, he talks about the great things gifted to him and regrets the past sins (or mistakes, if you are not religiously inclined!).
The last few chapters of the book recounts his meeting with other human beings (after 25+ years) and how he is scared of people having lost touch with them for so many years. In the end, he builds a boat and with the help of a ship escapes from the island.
It is a great book and is very interesting to read his exploits on the island. Apparently the author was inspired by some real life cast away stories and went on to pen this novel. The language used in this book might be a tad difficult - with long sentences and old words that are not in use now.
Off late, I have started developing liking for human adventures against nature's elements with minimal machine support - like cycling for 100 km e.g. :-) - and this book was exactly that. How a man can survive in an uninhabited island for many many years and with just his spirit, he can learn multiple life skills and live a good life (good of course is relative here).
For any book lover, this is a must read.
