Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe is not content with his life in England. He is bored and wants to see more of the world. His curiosity convinces him to leave his homeland and travel abroad.

Without telling his parents, young Robinson sets off on a voyage of discovery. During the years that follow he learns much, not just about the world, but about himself as well. Following disaster at sea on more than one occasion, Robinson toys with the idea of settling down. However, his adventurous character gets the better of him and he boards ship once again.

This time, though, a calamitous shipwreck wipes out the whole of the crew and leaves Crusoe alone on a seemingly deserted island.

How is it possible for one man to survive in such a situation? Will he manage to leave or be forced to remain on the island?

About the Author

Daniel Defoe was born in 1660 in St. Giles, London. He is most well known for his critically acclaimed novel, Robinson Crusoe. When published in 1719, it was instantly met with great praise.

Defoe faced many trials and tribulations during his life. He tried his hand in business, as well as secretarial work, but neither of these occupations worked well for him. His monetary problems are well documented - he went bankrupt in 1692 - and in 1703 he was imprisoned for publishing pamphlets in support of the non-conformists.

In addition to novels and pamphlets, Defoe wrote biographies, guidebooks, journals, poems and newspapers. In total, more than five hundred works have been attributed to his fertile mind. By far his most famous work, Robinson Crusoe was probably inspired by the true story of Alexander Selkirk and his experiences. Although it was not intended to be a work of fiction initially, it ended up as an adventure story, appealing to people of all ages and from all walks of life. Defoe's writing style is serious and factual, and the images he conjures up with his use of words are vivid and realistic.

Towards the latter half of his life, he wrote under the name of Andrew Moreton, and was in hiding from his creditors when he died on April 26, 1731.