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Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe

Summary

Robinson Crusoe runs away to sea, is wrecked, and leads a solitary existence on an uninhabited island near the Orinoco river for twenty-four years. He finds consolation in the Bible and after a while meets another human, a young native whom he saves from death and calls Man Friday, because he met him on a Friday.

Defoe based his story on the adventures of Scottish castaway Alexander Selkirk. Published in 1719, Robinson Crusoe is one of the first novels in the English language and is often credited as marking the beginning of realistic fiction as a literary genre. It is one of the most widely read books in history, spawning numerous sequels and adaptations for stage, film, and television.

About the author

Daniel Defoe

Daniel Defoe (c.1660-1731), one of the most famous writers in English literature, was born in London, the son of James Foe, a butcher. It was Daniel who changed his name to De Foe or Defoe in about 1705. He was interested in politics and opposed King James II. After the Glorious Revolution in 1688 and William III was on the throne, Defoe became one of his personal friends. He became a writer for the government and a satircal writer on various social issues of the time. He turned to full time writing after hearing the inspirational story of a sailor who was rescued after living alone on a desert island in the Pacific, the result being his first novel ROBINSON CRUSOE. Several other adventure stories followed, including MOLL FLANDERS.
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