About： Robinson Crusoe

　  Who has not dreamed of life on an exotic isle, far away from civilization?

   Here is the novel which has inspired countless imitations by lesser writers, none of which equal the power and originality of Defoe's famous book. Robinson Crusoe, set ashore on an island after a terrible storm at sea, is forced to make do with only a knife, some tobacco, and a pipe. He learns how to build a canoe, make bread, and endure endless solitude. That is, until, twenty-four years later, when he confronts another human being. First published in 1719, Robinson Crusoe has been praised by such writers as James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and Samuel Johnson as one of the greatest novels in the English language.

　　
　　Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) trained for the ministry, became a political journalist, and finally, to many, became "the father of the English novel." He is also the author of Moll Flanders.

 

    Daniel Defoe (born 1660, London, Eng.-died April 24, 1731, London) British novelist, pamphleteer, and journalist. A well-educated London merchant, he became an acute economic theorist and began to write eloquent, witty, often audacious tracts on public affairs. A satire he published resulted in his being imprisoned in 1703, and his business collapsed. He traveled as a government secret agent while continuing to write prolifically. In 1704.13 he wrote practically single-handedly the periodical Review, a serious and forceful paper that influenced later essay periodicals such as The Spectator. His Tour Through the Whole Island of Great Britain, 3 vol. (1724.26), followed several trips to Scotland. Late in life he turned to fiction. He achieved literary immortality with the novel Robinson Crusoe (1719), which drew partly on memoirs of voyagers and castaways. He is also remembered for the vivid, picaresque Moll Flanders (1722); the nonfictional Journal of the Plague Year (1722), on the Great Plague in London in 1664.65; and Roxana (1724), a prototype of the modern novel.

 

     Publisher Comments:

     This classic story of a shipwrecked mariner on a deserted island is perhaps the greatest adventure in all of English literature. Fleeing from pirates, Robinson Crusoe is swept ashore in a storm possessing only a knife, a box of tobacco, a pipe-and the will to survive. His is the saga of a man alone: a man who overcomes self-pity and despair to reconstruct his life; who painstakingly teaches himself how to fashion a pot, bake bread, build a canoe; and who, after twenty-four agonizing years of solitude, discovers a human footprint in the sand... Consistently popular since its first publication in 1719, Daniel Defoe's story of human endurance in an exotic, faraway land exerts a timeless appeal. The first important English novel, Robinson Crusoe has taken its rightful place among the great myths of Western civilization.From School Library JournalGrade 7 Up-Defoe's classic novel of shipwreck and survival, now nearly 300 years old, is abridged competently in this recording. The flavor of the 18th century language is retained, but the plot moves along at a pace more appealing to 21st century ears. The reader, Martin Shaw, has a pleasant voice, but unfortunately tends to trail off at the ends of sentences, losing whole words. As with all abridgements, large sections of the story and entire characters are omitted, but since most of the book tells of Crusoe's solitary sojourn on the island, this is not a major problem. This version is no substitute for the original, but it would be a supplemental purchase in libraries where abridgements are popular.From AudioFileThough sometimes tedious and moralistic, Crusoe has become an emblem of human survival in a lonely and hostile world. In this recording British reader Tom Casaletto preserves Defoe's tone and point of view with perfect fidelity. There isn't much dialogue until the end of the book when Friday appears, but that is fully and richly voiced. If, like me, you haven't visited Crusoe's island since your youth, this excellent recording is the perfect opportunity for a return trip.

 

 

A Reader's Comment:

Famed Russian gymnast Svetlana Horkina has been a big fan of adventure stories since her childhood.

　　"I always strive to be as brave and tough as Robinson, and never lose confidence and hope for a brighter future," Horkina told Xinhua in a recent interview.

　　Horkina, who has established her reputation as the queen of gymnastics and whose elegance and courage were the beautiful memories of an era, is now a lawmaker of the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, as well as the mother of a four-year-old boy.

　　Horkina said that the enlightenment provided by books had accompanied and inspired her since her childhood.

　　"No matter what the obstacles are, we must persist in being ourselves and have our own thoughts and faith. By doing so, we will find the strength to go ahead no matter how many difficulties we might encounter in the future," she said.

　　Speaking of her favorite book Robinson Crusoe, a masterpiece of English writer Daniel Defoe, Horkina said that Robinson's immense spiritual power and strong charism had made an indelible impression on her and had been inspiring for her career and life.

　　She recalled that she read Robinson Crusoe so many times that the book was worn out. Sometimes, she and her playmates even played the roles in the book.

　　The former gymnast added that one day, she imagined she was living in Robinson's thatched cottage and was in need of something to clean the room.

　　"What could I do when I had nothing but my clothes?" she said. "I wiped the floor spotlessly clean with my clothes. You can imagine how my mother would react to it."

　　"Now, I myself am a mother. I often recall Robinson's words," Horkina said.

　　She added that she began to grasp the full meaning of the philosophy embodied in the book when she grew up. "I know there is the concept of 'Tao' in Chinese philosophy. This novel has helped me find my own 'Tao' -- the path of my life," she said.

　　Apart from Robinson Crusoe, Horkina was also fond of Russian folk fairy tales. "I have long wanted a little magic power in our life. How good that is!"

　　Russian fairy stories contain infinite wisdom and energy that would warm our hearts, Horkina said. She expressed the hope that children would read more such stories because by doing so, they would not only learn more about Russian culture, but also acquire wisdom.

　　Horkina said it's regrettable that nowadays books had been squeezed out by TV and Internet although books can help people find ways to solve problems, improve their language capabilities and enrich their minds.

　　"I understand the youth are interested in electronic products. But I hope that kids would read more books, and parents and teachers should take their due responsibilities in this regard," she said.

　　In a world of quick tempo, people should spend time reading for themselves and their hearts, said Horkina. "Adults, please read for your children and discuss with them," she added.