tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post2548756956730560813..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: Daniel Defoe’s Robinson CrusoeBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-48267715221753865492018-09-25T01:59:35.151-04:002018-09-25T01:59:35.151-04:00Thanks for stopping by Asad and thanks for the goo...Thanks for stopping by Asad and thanks for the good word. What other writer does this book description remind you of? Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-76062238980431537942018-09-25T01:47:30.273-04:002018-09-25T01:47:30.273-04:00I found this fascinating with complex plot and con...I found this fascinating with complex plot and contrast between good and bad characters dear Brain!<br /><br />sounds familiar as it's theme resembles to a novel i have read in native language by great writer here!<br /> <br />I appreciate writers who reveal the true face of society and take off charming mask from their corrupt realities <br /><br />i wish i can find this book around <br /><br />thank you for the wonderful commentary Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07302080406358470054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-87988829942427902762018-08-26T20:03:30.150-04:002018-08-26T20:03:30.150-04:00Hi Caroline - Cultural relativism has been embrace...Hi Caroline - Cultural relativism has been embraced by some elements of the far left. It is un fortunate. There has been a backlash in recent years however. That is encouraging. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-41395622879633737642018-08-26T10:03:09.126-04:002018-08-26T10:03:09.126-04:00It’s been ages since I’ve read this. I can’t agree...It’s been ages since I’ve read this. I can’t agree with that kind of cultural relativism either. When I studied Cultural Anthropology, I was often criticized for that. I even remember another student, a woman, defending female genital mutilation. That kind of thinking just makes me speechless. Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-77590197502150017322018-08-17T18:07:26.691-04:002018-08-17T18:07:26.691-04:00Hi Andrew - I think that most young folks would fo...Hi Andrew - I think that most young folks would focus on the adventure/survival part. It is actually very gripping. If you read this now I would love to know what you thought of it. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-67457646955038674662018-08-17T16:49:34.508-04:002018-08-17T16:49:34.508-04:00It's great to get your take on this one, Brian...It's great to get your take on this one, Brian. I read this as a child and I think I focused more on the survival aspects of it. But if I read it now I think that, like you, I'd find those descriptions quite dull and would want more of the internal life of the character. Andrew Blackmanhttps://andrewblackman.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-42621437784700132862018-08-16T17:51:38.843-04:002018-08-16T17:51:38.843-04:00Thanks Jane - This really is a book, with a centra...Thanks Jane - This really is a book, with a central character, that is all about philosophy. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-60373922637286331742018-08-15T19:40:14.626-04:002018-08-15T19:40:14.626-04:00Glad to hear that the book is very readable. I wou...Glad to hear that the book is very readable. I would like to read it, primarily for its role in the development of the novel and the fact that so many authors I admire read it and were affected by it.<br /><br />It does sound like Crusoe is more a vehicle for advocating a philosophy (like Christian in Pilgrim's Progress) than a realistic character.<br /><br />Thanks for a great review--as always, you've provided interesting points for me to consider.JaneGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094501834387622997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-59009902874834061732018-08-15T17:33:45.242-04:002018-08-15T17:33:45.242-04:00Thanks Baili .
I love the feeling of having books...Thanks Baili .<br /><br />I love the feeling of having books around that I cannot wait to read. I enjoy the anticipation. <br /><br /><br />Happy reading! Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-28685435640975142652018-08-15T08:04:13.066-04:002018-08-15T08:04:13.066-04:00remarkable review Brain!
you have amazing skills ...remarkable review Brain!<br /><br />you have amazing skills to give a panoramic look on the whole story and strong understanding of the characters and happenings!<br /><br />what appealed me most is the relation of crusoe with God!<br /><br />in my recent tour to Islamabad i visited the old book shop and bought three books which attracted my attention somehow and i am eagerly desperately hoping for time to read them <br />blessings !bailihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498012175058870980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-84761374613424557272018-08-14T17:18:42.374-04:002018-08-14T17:18:42.374-04:00Thanks Sharon. Never a rush. I hope that you had a...Thanks Sharon. Never a rush. I hope that you had a good trip. The religious aspects of this one were really well done. I would love to know what you thought about them if you read this. It seems that Dafoe very much believed in finding God through reading the Bible on one’s own and thinking about it on one’s own. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-28574152444537160502018-08-14T15:51:17.564-04:002018-08-14T15:51:17.564-04:00Hi Brian! Sorry to take so long to respond. I wa...Hi Brian! Sorry to take so long to respond. I was in Florida this past week.<br /><br />Marvelous review! I had read the book years ago with my son and I just saw it as an adventure story. I'm not sure I would have read it if I did not think it was a fun story for Derek.<br /><br />I'm impressed with how objective your insight is as to the religious themes (something I did not pick up on, shame on me). I now want to read more by Defoe.<br /><br />I fully appreciate someone coming to know God simply through reading the Bible. I once heard a pastor say that if you wanted to hear God speak, read the Bible.<br /><br />A man told the pastor that he wanted to personally "hear" God's voice. The pastor told him then he needed to read the Bible out loud.<br /><br />I agree with you about cultural relativism. Even the Bible says that the truth is written on the hearts and mind of all men.<br /><br />So now I must pull out my copy of Crusoe and read it with new eyes thanks to you!Sharon Wilfonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-14373303897732506182018-08-11T17:32:42.560-04:002018-08-11T17:32:42.560-04:00Hi Susan - I think that the conflicts are just a p...Hi Susan - I think that the conflicts are just a product of the times. Dafoe questioned some conventions of his times. It would be bit much to expect him to question everything. Most people remember the survival tale. It is really the most interesting part of this book. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-24028262719079468682018-08-11T13:08:06.238-04:002018-08-11T13:08:06.238-04:00Oh gosh, it's been a very long time since I re...Oh gosh, it's been a very long time since I read Robinson Crusoe which I read during my school days. I remember liking its tale of survival but I had forgotten many of the other complexities and things you talk about. It seems to include quite conflicting ideas at times -- perhaps his epiphany on the island explains some of his questioning of his earlier behavior and thoughts. I'm glad you got to it. It's amazing it's from 1719, I'd like to read it again sometime. thecuecardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08870323589682197091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-82105855721522426442018-08-10T05:17:37.391-04:002018-08-10T05:17:37.391-04:00Hi Hila - You made me laugh but there may be somet...Hi Hila - You made me laugh but there may be something about the MacGyver connection. <br /><br />If you read this I would love to know what you thought. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-29215277992382473342018-08-10T01:19:03.425-04:002018-08-10T01:19:03.425-04:00"or when Crusoe manages engineering, agricult..."or when Crusoe manages engineering, agricultural, nautical, and other feats with no prior experience."<br /><br />Inspiration for MacGyver?<br /><br />I haven't read this one, and I'm especially interested in the reflections on colonialism and the personal relationship with God that's been developed in isolation.HKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653570160517335758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-24023875607766906812018-08-09T07:12:43.008-04:002018-08-09T07:12:43.008-04:00Thanks Maria. You are making me think as I have al...Thanks Maria. You are making me think as I have also read Treasure Island recently. I must admit that I found Treasure Island more enjoyable. It was a better story. It was more fun.<br /><br />There seems to be no condemnation of slavery here. The cultural criticism is very mixed. Of course it was written at a time when any criticism of this stuff was rare. <br /><br />To some extent Crusoe is indeed a symbol of someone who comes to a Christianity through a particular brand of Protestantism. Characters that are symbols do tend to lack some development.<br /><br />Have a great weekend!<br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-53301001290207377362018-08-08T16:13:29.037-04:002018-08-08T16:13:29.037-04:00GREAT commentary as usual, Brian!! :) :)
Of cour...GREAT commentary as usual, Brian!! :) :) <br /><br />Of course, I've known about this novel for years, but have never felt motivated enough to read it. When I was around 12, I read "Treasure Island", which at the time seemed much more attractive to me, as it had a LOT of adventure in it, with little to no philosophizing. Now that I'm an adult, and no longer engage in mock battles with imaginary one-legged pirates, I think I would be much more inclined to read "Robinson Crusoe". :)<br /><br />Thanks for letting your readers know that there are parts of the book that will be dull reading! Lol. On the other hand, this novel is full of very interesting, contradictory elements, so I think it is well worth reading.<br /><br />In a way, this book reminds of Dickens's "A Christmas Carol"; not, of course, due to any similarity of plot, but to the theme of a man who undergoes a profound transformation of character, with very positive results. <br /><br />Btw, the quote about the angel does indeed resemble some Old Testament passages. The Book of Ezekiel instantly came to mind. This means that Defoe was very familiar with the Old Testament, and, I would imagine, with the New Testament, as well.<br /><br />In addition to all the adventure, there's a definite Christian theme in this book. And it's very gratifying to find out that the author comes to condemn colonialism. From your commentary, though, I'm not sure that Defoe also condemns slavery to the extent he condemns colonialism. <br /><br />As for Crusoe's character not being developed thoroughly, that could be because the author thought of him more as a sort of symbol or archetype. I wonder what you think of this interpretation.<br /><br />This book is not in my personal library, but I will definitely acquire it and find out how I like it!<br /><br />Thanks for your interesting analysis!! <3 :)<br />Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-77548936710682174832018-08-07T17:50:33.472-04:002018-08-07T17:50:33.472-04:00A real juggling act I think ... it's probably ...A real juggling act I think ... it's probably a case for many of them, damned if they do, and damned if they don't.Whispering Gumshttp://whisperinggums.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-54928178939852027992018-08-07T13:14:28.575-04:002018-08-07T13:14:28.575-04:00Hi Tracy - It is striking how books have had diffe...Hi Tracy - It is striking how books have had different meanings for me when I read them at different ages. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-88522865549950521792018-08-07T09:40:28.268-04:002018-08-07T09:40:28.268-04:00A childhood favourite of mine, I still have my mam...A childhood favourite of mine, I still have my mam's copy sitting on our shelves.<br /><br />I haven't read this for many a year and your post made me wonder if I were to read it if I would view it through different eyes. I strongly suspect I would.Felicity Grace Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17852843882007267665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-70520462434142589512018-08-06T14:28:41.614-04:002018-08-06T14:28:41.614-04:00Hi WP - I think that almost everyone has gaps in t...Hi WP - I think that almost everyone has gaps in their reading of Classics, there are just so many Classics. <br /><br />Indeed, a lot of humanist thoughts have older roots. Dafoe says some very modern sounding things. With that, I can see how a historical fiction writer could go overboard with that inaccurate modern sensibilities. As you point out, they might also be too shy about throwing out modern seeming ideas which did exist in the past. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-25614604183226932792018-08-06T14:21:12.257-04:002018-08-06T14:21:12.257-04:00Hi Stephen - The adventure stuff is terrific. But ...Hi Stephen - The adventure stuff is terrific. But abridged versions are bad. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-60822608781436498022018-08-06T14:19:38.991-04:002018-08-06T14:19:38.991-04:00Hi Violet - There is indeed a lot of moralizing in...Hi Violet - There is indeed a lot of moralizing in this book. But it sometimes goes in surprising directions. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-27819741734249804352018-08-06T10:02:29.964-04:002018-08-06T10:02:29.964-04:00This is one of those books I eschewed in my youth ...This is one of those books I eschewed in my youth because I didn't like "adventure" but it's a book that if I actually read I'd probably enjoy. I may not "actually" read it, though, because there are so many gaps in my classics reading that I'd probably give higher priority to.<br /><br />However, I really enjoyed your discussion of Defoe's attitudes. I think too often readers don't expect to find any modern, humane ideas in older books - you are clearly not one of those readers - but I say to them that those modern ideas didn't pop up all of a sudden, there are and have always been people who think a little differently to their society and it's when more and more people start to think those new ways that social change comes about. I find this issue becomes really problematical in historical fiction where readers don't like to see "modern" thoughts in old times. It's tricky for the historical fiction writer - so easy for them to be changed with anachronism - but you've beautifully pointed out that complex thinking (including newer ideas mixed with status quo ones) has always been around. Does this make sense?Whispering Gumshttp://whisperinggums.comnoreply@blogger.com