Robinson Crusoe

De: Daniel Defoe

Narrado por: Simon Vance

Widely regarded as the first English novel, Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe is one of the most popular and influential adventure stories of all time.

This classic tale of shipwreck and survival on an uninhabited island was an instant success when first published in 1719, and it has inspired countless imitations.

In his own words, Robinson Crusoe tells of the terrible storm that drowned all his shipmates and left him marooned on a deserted island. Forced to overcome despair, doubt, and self-pity, he struggles to create a life for himself in the wilderness. From practically nothing, Crusoe painstakingly learns how to make pottery, grow crops, domesticate livestock, and build a house. His many adventures are recounted in vivid detail, including a fierce battle with cannibals and his rescue of Friday, the man who becomes his trusted companion.

Full of enchanting detail and daring heroics, Robinson Crusoe is a celebration of courage, patience, ingenuity, and hard work.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2008 Tantor

Fantastic Story and Excellent Narration

Exciting storyline and excellent narration really brings this book to life. I could listen to Simon Vance read the phone book. :)

Adrift

This is probably Daniel Defoe’s best known story and possibly the first English language novel ever written. Inspired by the life of explorer Alexander Selkirk, Robinson Crusoe is the story of a shipwrecked English sailor as he struggles to survive while marooned on a tropical island somewhere off the coast of Africa. Despite being written in the early 1700s, the narrative hold up incredibly well. Some parts will strike a modern reader as fairly racist, but I could forgive that considering the time period. To this day, Robinson Crusoe remains an incredible, and surprisingly philosophical, adventure story of a lone man struggling to survive in the unforgiving wilderness.

As for the narration, I’m a huge fan of Simon Vance in general. That said, I think this might be his best work yet. He perfectly captures Crusoe’s voice and Vance’s own natural accent pushes a good performance into the realm of a fantastic one. Just click on the sample and you’ll see/hear what I mean. What are you waiting for? Beyond highly recommended!

Well worth the money

Inflection and accent of narrator is engaging. Almost as good as a dramatization. Four stars. I highly suggest this reading to college or high school students.

Great story, fantastic narration

A great story end to end! It starts a little impenetrably with the description of his relationship with his father and Robinson’s decision to go against his wishes and all the ill that may befall him... Then the story really gets underway and takes you on a great adventure including totally absorbing (and satisfying!) descriptions of his ship wrecked life and how he went about surviving. A great listen made all the better by the ever exceptional Simon Vance.

Review of D. Defoes Robinson Crusoe

Well read and easy to follow. I particularly liked the discovery of Robinsons relationship with God, his reading and absorbing of the truths found in the scriptures having not been a particularly religious man prior to his Island experience. Defoe incorporates a great system of logic and reason in Robinsons decision making thereby avoiding potential trouble or problems. Truth, morality, fairness and endurance are constantly being kept at the forefront of Robinsons experience.