Robinson Crusoe

By: Daniel Defoe

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Shipwrecked and cast ashore onto an uninhabited island, Robinson Crusoe ingeniously carves out a solitary, primitive existence for 24 years. Eventually, he meets a young native whom he saves from death at the hands of cannibals. He calls him Man Friday and makes him his companion and servant.

Crusoe and Friday share in a variety of adventures, including a fierce battle with cannibals that culminates in the heroes recapturing a mutinous ship and returning to England.

Based partly on the real-life experiences of Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk, Defoe's novel of human endurance in an exotic, faraway land exerts a timeless appeal and has taken its rightful place among the great works of Western civilization.

Public Domain (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[One of the few books] 'written by mere man that was wished longer by its readers.'" (Samuel Johnson)

Great tale, great telling

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The depth of the novel surprises and the glimpse of 17th century lifestyle and language is enriching.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

The growth of the character living in extreme circumstances gives the author an interesting context in which to make his philosophical and theological beliefs known.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

John Lee is a superb narrator who I now seek out because of his capacity for nuanced language, accents, and tonality.

A Classic for Children and Adults

I enjoyed listening through this story with my 11 year old son. The story is not politically correct in regards to Crusoe's opinion of Friday. THis is easy to get over and to enjoy this amazing tale of surviving alone on an island. This is the original version of the story and gives priority to Crusoe's faith in God. I have read this book several times, and I didn't remember all the detail re his life after he left the island. I am not sure if that is because of my memory or that it is edited out in other 'unabridged versions.

If you like survival stories, this is a classic and worthy of it's place in literary history. Both my son and I would be happy to listen to it again.

Not my cup of tea

I bought the book expecting an old fashioned adventure story; which it is. But I wasn't prepared for the Christian morality lessons liberally scattered through the book. So unless you enjoy being "preached" at, I would skip this book.

Difficult for a modern ear to hear

The narrator was good. The story was of a time and place that, mercifully, no longer exist.

A Tired Classic That Is Flawed

This book has been required reading and a household name for 300 years, and yet after rereading it as an adult I’m at a loss to understand why. Granted it’s a tale of adventure that must have seemed riveting to 18th and 19th century audiences, but now it just seems ridiculously fanciful. To name just a few issues: Caribbean cannibals, fortuitous shipwrecks, fortuitous familial encounters, packs of 300 wolves, to name a few. Throw in heavy-handed Bible thumping and the book hits the rocks, so to speak. John Lee is a fabulous narrator, but he can’t make this tired story any better. He also needs to work on his Spanish accents, since he turns Spanglish into something that sounds Transylvanian. This book is best as a child’s fantasy. There are ao many better ways to spend the hours required to listen to it-

Love it

The intertwining of Christian thought into the story is really profound. If any of us were stranded on a deserted island for 28 years we'd have plenty of time to contemplate the deeper issues of life, and hopefully come to the same conclusions at Crusoe.

Lotsa big words!

Viz! Listen and you’ll understand. It got to the point that every time I heard it I’d almost cringe. Defoe knew a lot of $3 words and was not afraid to use them. Much more detailed this telling than any movie you’ll ever see. I will admit that I enjoyed it, even at my “mature” age.

Racist

The main character and story line is Racist and has to many racist ideals in it

Excellent

This was great. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator was very good and made "ye olde english" very understandable. I listen on commute and always looked forward to advancing the story.

1719 publish date and completely enjoyable still

Have been reading classics lately and after two books written in 1800's referred to Robinson Crusoe, decided to give it a try and so glad I did. John Lee was perfect voice for Robinson who like a dear friend, confides his life and how he came to spend 24 years alone being shipwrecked on an island. I found the story, his feelings and the events experienced - both believable and entertaining. It is not a swash-buckling adventure despite cannibals, pirates, escape from slavery and sunken ships... it does meander a bit. However, if you enjoy classic books, this is a great, must read.