Daniel Defoe's ''Robinson Crusoe'', regarded by many
to be first novel in English, is also the original tale
of a castaway struggling to survive on a remote desert
island. This ''Penguin Classics'' is edited with an
introduction and notes by John Richetti. The sole
survivor of a shipwreck, Robinson Crusoe is washed up on
a desert island. In his journal he chronicles his daily
battle to stay alive, as he conquers isolation, fashions
shelter and clothes, enlists the help of a native
islander who he names 'Friday', and fights off cannibals
and mutineers. Written in an age of exploration and
enterprise, it has been variously interpreted as an
embodiment of British imperialist values, as a portrayal
of 'natural man', or as a moral fable. But above all is
a brilliant narrative, depicting Crusoe's transformation
from terrified survivor to self-sufficient master of an
island. This edition contains a full chronology of
Defoe's life and times, explanatory notes, glossary and
a critical introduction discussing ''Robinson Crusoe''
as a pioneering work of modern psychological realism.
Daniel Defoe (1[zasłonięte]660-17) had a variety of careers
including merchant, soldier, and political
pamphleteer.Over the course of his life Daniel Defoe
wrote over two hundred and fifty books on economics,
history, biography and crime, but is best remembered for
the fiction he produced in late life, which includes
''Robinson Crusoe'' (1719), ''Moll Flanders'' (1722) and
''Roxana'' (1724). Defoe had a great influence on the
development of the English novel and many consider him
to be the first true novelist. If you enjoyed ''Robinson
Crusoe'', you may like Alexandre Dumas' ''The Count of
Monte Cristo'', also available in ''Penguin Classics''.
''''Robinson Crusoe'' has a universal appeal, a story
that goes right to the core of existence''. (Simon
Armitage). |
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