All About Books discussion

The Guardian article can be read using this link: http://www.theguardian.com/books/poll...

I found it a bit boring ....

LauraT wrote: "I found it a bit boring ...."

And yet you gave it 4 stars, Laura!

Robinson Crusoe is a book that I always think I should have read, but have never read it. I think, because we are so familiar with the story, it makes you think you have read it. Sorry, I haven't put that very well!

Yes because I understand it was a great novel. Not "entertaining", but interesting to study...

Like the PILGRIM'S PROGRESS this too was part of the syllabus for my Bachelors. As a student I was not much taken into the story then. And now, as Shirley has said correctly that one is familiar with the story and that I had also seen the recent film adaptation of it, I too am not that encouraged to read it again.

Haven't read the article yet. Will add comments once I have. First thought is, I know I read a children's version of Robinson Crusoe. Not sure I've read the full version.

Dhanaraj wrote: "Like the PILGRIM'S PROGRESS this too was part of the syllabus for my Bachelors. As a student I was not much taken into the story then. And now, as Shirley has said correctly that one is familiar wi..."

We also have to consider that, as for The Pilgrim's Progress, it is not a proper novel, but a "protonovel": something that comes before the real development of the novels. In Defoe's works, as in Swift of Richardson, the characters, also the main ones, stay the same nothwistanding all that happens to them.
The modern critics say that to be considered a "proper" novel you have to see a "development" in at least the main character: their growing up throught their experiences, which helps them understand, for istance, the right and the wrong. "Bildungsroman" the german critics call them.
This lacks totally in this particular book.

Having read the article now, and briefly looked at RC and its reviews on Amazon, I'm pretty certain that I've only read the children's version. So I think I'll have a go at reading this (free to download on Kindle).

It's interesting how different books link up. Apparently this was the favourite book of one of the protagonists in The Moonstone.

Laura T, That is an interesting piece of information - the concept of a 'protonovel' and the definition of a novel . Thanks a lot.

Maybe, the idea, that a novel is one in which we see the development of the characters. is also 'relative'. Today, we have experimental novels that do not fit in elsewhere like If on a Winter's Night a Traveler. Sometimes philosophical discussions are published as the novel.

Gill wrote: "It's interesting how different books link up. Apparently this was the favourite book of one of the protagonists in The Moonstone."

Oh yes! The butler always referred to it when in crisis!!! How funny!

Thanks for doing this Dhanaraj, just came home from work and wanted to sit down to do this, and found it already done! :)
Hope you don't mind but I re-named the thread, so that you can see the title of the book for a better overview once there are many.

I haven't read this by the way, or maybe I did, I don't remember, but I've seen what feels like a million movie-versions of this, though it's more likely two or three, or maybe I counted the numerous "sort-of-Robinson-Crusoe-but-not-quite"-versions as well. Who knows.
I think it is so interesting that eventhough many of us have never read the novel, it has somehow turned into part of our cultural heritage, as everybody seems to know the story regardless and it's referenced in art, especially literature quite often. Also, Friday - or in my case Freitag, has seized to be just a weekday entirely due to Mr. Defoe.

And after reading the article: I didn't know this term existed but it makes perfect sense: The now-forgotten term "Robinsonade" was coined to describe the Crusoe genre, which still flourishes and was recently revived by Hollywood in the Tom Hanks film, Castaway (2000).

also interesting:

The text was first published in London by W Taylor on 25 April 1719. This first edition credited the work's fictional protagonist Robinson Crusoe as its author, and its title was The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner: Written by Himself. It sold well; four months later, it was followed by The Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. A year later, riding high on the market, came Serious Reflections During the Life and Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. Most readers will only encounter the first edition.

I read this a few years ago. I found Defoe's style a bit ponderous at times (somewhat like Jonathan Swift) but I liked the story overall.

I have 2 more Defoe novels TBR (from the Guardian's list), both of which were included at the end of the article - Moll Flanders and Roxana, Or The Fortunate Mistress.

Leslie wrote: "I read this a few years ago. I found Defoe's style a bit ponderous at times (somewhat like Jonathan Swift) but I liked the story overall.

I have 2 more Defoe novels TBR (from the Guardian's list)..."
Read both of them; same attitude: To Be Read - but not so "enjoyable"!!!!

@ Jenny, You are the moderator and so you call the shots. No problem with your modification of the thread.

Just seen on another group that there is a book calledFoe . It features Defoe, Crusoe and Friday as characters. It looks interesting.Its author isJ.M. Coetzee

A nobel Prize!

I love Coetzee with a passion. I'd quite like to read it. Maybe paired with the original?

Michel Tournier's bookFriday and Robinson: life on Esperanza Island also links to Robinson Crusoe, I understand.
Yes, Jenny, a paired read sounds good to me.

Love Robinson Crusoe and read it first years ago when still at school probably inspired by the serialisation of it on TV. Want to read Selkirk's Island: The True and Strange Adventures of the Real Robinson Crusoe which is the story of the mariner who's desert island experience inspired Defoe. A book that has inspired so many writers .

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OE10msGsCn4
Here's the music from the series out together as a suite.

I've started reading Foe, which was in the reserve section at our library. It's a slight book, very readable, and I think it will enhance my reading of RC in the new year.

I've just spotted it on your updates! I think I'll be reading this whilst our readalong, I am really curious about it as well.

Jenny wrote: "I've just spotted it on your updates! I think I'll be reading this whilst our readalong, I am really curious about it as well."

That's what I'd intended to do, but when I saw how short it was I decided to look at it now.

Gill wrote: "Jenny wrote: "I've just spotted it on your updates! I think I'll be reading this whilst our readalong, I am really curious about it as well."

That's what I'd intended to do, but when I saw how sho..."

I also want to read Foe - I think my library has it so I shall try to check it out in January. All sounds good!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b018flp4

I was downloading some podcasts from the Melvyn Bragg BBC Radio 4 series, and came across this one about Robinson Crusoe. I'm not sure whether to listen to it before we read the book, or after (or even during!).

Let me know if the link doesn't work.

This book is a fixture on my Keepers Shelf, and I started it once in public school. I was too young to appreciate the work, and discarded it after only a few pages. It also is on my T.B.R. list now that I am older.