• Robinson Crusoe

  • By: Daniel Defoe
  • Narrated by: John Lee
  • Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (1,111 ratings)

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Robinson Crusoe  By  cover art

Robinson Crusoe

By: Daniel Defoe
Narrated by: John Lee
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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)

What listeners say about Robinson Crusoe

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    535
  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
    36
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Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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    67
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Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
    109
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    10

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

True classic

I have just read this book at the age of 61. I don't think I read it as a child. This is a classic. It seems to me it was written for reading to chldren in a Pre-television era when reading books to children was in vogue. It still should be but I doubt many do it. It is a good adventure story but the thing that makes it somewhat unusual is how full of moral teaching it contains which would be geared at children. Morals such as making the best of what you have, being thankful for what you have, trusting God to provide for you, etc. are deeply carved into the story. As I approach my grandfather years I will remember this book and see if there will be some way to read it to my grandchildren.

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31 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

They're "The Classics" for a Reason

I listened after reading 40 years ago and it was everything I remembered it to be! The insights into the period of the days of exploration provide a vivid understanding of what life was like in those days. The narrator was excellent and the story superb! You've always heard about it...now listen!

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Ed
  • 05-24-12

This Classic wasn't a classic for me

This is the second classic book (Great Expectations was the first) that I've listened to because I didn't really pay attention when I was in school 40+ years ago. I gave Great Expectations five stars. I gave this book three. It was repetitive and moved rather slowly. Maybe the predictability of the story detracted from the overall effect. It seemed rather politically incorrect but that's largely due, I suspect, to the fact it was written in the early 1700s. I wonder if it's not being used in schools today because of that political incorrectness. I was also quite amazed at Crusoe's marksmanship with the crude guns with which he armed himself. He never seemed to miss. I enjoyed the listen more after Friday came into his life and I suppose that makes sense since there was a second character to be developed. Were this not a classic I probably would have questioned why I bothered to listen in the first place. The narrator was adequate although very monotonous. The listen satisfied my curiosity but did very little more for me.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Must Read for Everyone

This book was in our family library when I was a child, and I am so sorry that I have waited far too many years to read this piece of classic literature. It was even better than I had anticipated, knowing that it was so highly revered. I would recommend to anyone that it deserves a read (listen) if, for no other reason, than to fully understand so many of today's references to this wonderful story. However, there are so many other reasons to listen to it. It was exciting, interesting, harrowing, and incredibly well written. The ingenuity of Robin is absolutely fascinating, and the author's descriptions of how he makes do on this island are more than impressive. The writing style was incredibly easy to take in, even when one considers how long ago it was penned, and how different the vernacular was then. Do not think for one minute that this is a staid work of dry English literature. It was as easy to understand as something written in our own time, and as exciting as our thrillers. Wonderful narrator, too. Do yourself a favor and, if you haven't already, immerse yourself in this great adventure. I would liken it to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. If you have enjoyed that book, then you will love this. And if you haven't read Verne's novel, I would recommend for that to be the next download if you enjoy Robinson Crusoe

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A classic

I found it a bit of work in the early going, but was well rewarded for following it through to the end. Does a fantastic job of painting what is going on inside the remarkable protagonist.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

The title character is unlikeable

I've always been a fan of the classics but had not yet delved into Robinson Crusoe. I did my best to not apply 20-21st century mores but apparently I did't succeed. First off, I hate to admit it, but I was bored with his time on the island. I didn't care one bit or how he made an "oven," expect to appreciate his resourcefulness (which I still do): I didn't have to hear about every accomplishment and how everyy stick and stone was used. It seems whether he was living in isolation or with the real world, he was an opportunist and a man desirous of owning people and things - materialistic fellow. Normally I don't waste my time on books that I don't enjoy from the get-go, but I was determined to get through it and I did. This morning when I finished the book, I was glad to drop Robinson Crusoe off at his island and get on the ship and sail away from him and his self-serving personality.

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4 people found this helpful