I read this book for the first time last year. I remember being so struck when he found the footprint. I thought it a particularly salient point that Defoe makes when he talks about how the idea of the footprint haunted him. How applicable to our day, that often our anxieties and not the reality are the real cause of our discomfort. Then to read about how he does what he can and grows into facing the anxieties and the reality of someone being on his island. I loved it. He did all he could, trusted in "providence" and then when others came to the island he was ready to face them. It's a quiet courage born of competentance. I really liked this book.
Robinson Crusoe is referred to by a secondary character in Wilkie Collins' "The Moonstone". He's an elderly man who treats all of its content like the Bible or at least some sort of oracular text! Admittedly RC is like Don Quixote---absolute classics, and with so many references to them in culture, you feel as though you know them already and should spend your energies reading elsewhere---but no doubt, they have gems of knowledge and wisdom and literary qualities that make reading them a unique experience. Thanks Tristan, we hope you are well!
Spot on my friend. "One feels as if one knows them already and should spend energies elsewhere." That is Robinson Crusoe's fate in a nutshell. I think it is truer of Crusoe than of Quixote. Quixote is at least picked up because it is a 'pillar' of the Western Canon. By-the-by, the Moonstone is such a ripping read.
This channel has really made me realize how many classics I am missing out on. Though I did know this was not a children's book, there is so much here that I didn't know.
Wonderful synopsis! Still need to read this interesting book!! The amount different topics covered is great! Those side shots feel like an interview shot!
Hiya Chris! It's clever the way this book touches so many topics. When first reading, none of them, except providence, immediately jumped out at me. Then they began to percolate. A profoundly satisfying read. Please tell me how you found it. As for camera shots and slow zooms. What we're your thoughts? Feedback is greatly appreciated 🙏 Does it annoy, distract or add interest? Or something else?😃👍
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Hey Tristan I personally like the typical medium close up shot that you have been using. I think the zoom can be somewhat distracting. As for the side shot it creates a documentary feel or interview type film. I still prefer the simplicity of the straight on medium shot. :)
Thanks for the feedback Stephen. UA-cam is a tricky creature. There are so many things which are preferred and advised. I'm all for single and static myself. Many like movement though which is why I'm tinkering. Give me a straightforward lecture anyday ... it's much easier to edit😃
I just read this novel and came here as I knew Tristan would offer some good insights I didn't catch. It did take me several pages to pick up speed since this novel, published in 1719, took a little getting used to. And due to the 18th Century vocabulary, I wish I had thought to get an annotated version. This was on my bucket list, so glad I've read and enjoyed this novel which is more than an adventure story. It's a dense read so although my copy was 264 pages, it read like 364 (IMHO).
Yes, I have read it. What struck me was, as you pointed out, the Catholic Spaniard, the Protestant Englishman and the Pagan all co-exist. This relates to the crisis in Europe i.e. Luther, the Reformation and the Counter Reformation and the dumb religious wars. As a remedy, in the 1600s, Hobbes and Spinoza proposed a strong all pervasive State. Defoe appears to be arguing against that in an appeal for appreciation of our fellow man (including 'savages'), inspirational Bible verses, Nature and of course self-sufficiency.
i only read it in my first middle school year and what u recall was the persistent unique reading experience evoked by the environment within the novel
I have read Robinson Crusoe, but my memory of it does not match the book you are so enthusiastic about. I've been planning a reread at some point, but a recent reading of Tarzan of the Apes put me off shipwreck lit for the moment.
🤣 I can believe that. I mentioned in another comment to Chris Bianchi that on first reading not much especially stood out. Then things began to emerge on further reflection. Reading it again I was more impressed. I really am not sure that Defoe was deliberately looking to make some of these points, except for Providence. However it is impossible for such a thoughtful person as Defoe to not leak his own ideas into his work. Do you know, I've never read any Tarzan.😃👍
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Tarzan is one seriously messed-up book. Part rip-roaring adventure tale, part really problematic racism and misogyny, part pure ridiculousness. Weirdly enough, I found it much easier to suspend my disbelief for the baby-raised-by-apes scenario than all the stuff that comes after Tarzan meets his real roots. Obviously, it's been read and loved by a kajillion people over the decades, but it's definitely not the book you expect if your only experience has been the adaptations.
Hello, I don't know if you see comments on older videos, but I'll make one anyway! I have not read RC, although there's a copy on one of my bookshelves. (I think my husband studied it in school.) I've never picked it up, probably because I feel I know it already, tho after seeing this, I realise I don't at all. Also, I studied Moll Flanders at university and found it pretty unreadable. But I'll put RC on my list. It sounds wonderful!
I liked it and Gulliver's Travels. Yes, who needs to burn books when a committee of well meaning people simply throw the baby out with the bath water. It is retrograde.
What is funny, the more I watch, the more I realize, I knew more about this novel than I thought, but didn't know it was this novel. Just knew the story. Also, I had no clue that this could be considered the first modern novel. 😮
![Your Problematic Survivalist | Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe | Review [CC]](/img/n.gif)
Thank you for this. I've never read Robinson Crusoe, but you have made it sound so exciting that I am going to have a go at it.
It really is a good book in my opinion. Hope you enjoy it.
I read this book for the first time last year. I remember being so struck when he found the footprint. I thought it a particularly salient point that Defoe makes when he talks about how the idea of the footprint haunted him. How applicable to our day, that often our anxieties and not the reality are the real cause of our discomfort. Then to read about how he does what he can and grows into facing the anxieties and the reality of someone being on his island. I loved it. He did all he could, trusted in "providence" and then when others came to the island he was ready to face them. It's a quiet courage born of competentance. I really liked this book.
Oh, you're making me want to read it again!
Robinson Crusoe is referred to by a secondary character in Wilkie Collins' "The Moonstone". He's an elderly man who treats all of its content like the Bible or at least some sort of oracular text! Admittedly RC is like Don Quixote---absolute classics, and with so many references to them in culture, you feel as though you know them already and should spend your energies reading elsewhere---but no doubt, they have gems of knowledge and wisdom and literary qualities that make reading them a unique experience. Thanks Tristan, we hope you are well!
Spot on my friend. "One feels as if one knows them already and should spend energies elsewhere." That is Robinson Crusoe's fate in a nutshell.
I think it is truer of Crusoe than of Quixote. Quixote is at least picked up because it is a 'pillar' of the Western Canon.
By-the-by, the Moonstone is such a ripping read.
This channel has really made me realize how many classics I am missing out on. Though I did know this was not a children's book, there is so much here that I didn't know.
This man is amazing. He has such a thorough understanding of literary works, I think it's a heaven sent gift.
So Mister Tristan, thank you so much!
Watched the film as a child. You made me add this to my upcoming readings. Thank you!
Wonderful synopsis! Still need to read this interesting book!! The amount different topics covered is great! Those side shots feel like an interview shot!
Hiya Chris! It's clever the way this book touches so many topics. When first reading, none of them, except providence, immediately jumped out at me. Then they began to percolate. A profoundly satisfying read. Please tell me how you found it.
As for camera shots and slow zooms. What we're your thoughts? Feedback is greatly appreciated 🙏
Does it annoy, distract or add interest? Or something else?😃👍
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Hey Tristan I personally like the typical medium close up shot that you have been using. I think the zoom can be somewhat distracting. As for the side shot it creates a documentary feel or interview type film. I still prefer the simplicity of the straight on medium shot. :)
Hello. Always enjoyable, thank you . I think I prefer a single camera and no zooming
Thanks for the feedback Stephen. UA-cam is a tricky creature. There are so many things which are preferred and advised. I'm all for single and static myself. Many like movement though which is why I'm tinkering. Give me a straightforward lecture anyday ... it's much easier to edit😃
thank you, brilliant review. Its in our book club for next meeting. Thank you!!!!!
I just read this novel and came here as I knew Tristan would offer some good insights I didn't catch. It did take me several pages to pick up speed since this novel, published in 1719, took a little getting used to. And due to the 18th Century vocabulary, I wish I had thought to get an annotated version. This was on my bucket list, so glad I've read and enjoyed this novel which is more than an adventure story. It's a dense read so although my copy was 264 pages, it read like 364 (IMHO).
Great video Tristan. I add it to my Tbr list. You make it sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing 😊
Reading now. So far, so good. I love the language. I crave rich vocabularies of classics.
Wonderful. I hope that you enjoy it.
This review Exceeded my expectations. Thank you.
Great again. Thanks. It’s on my list.
Hey Peggy! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Yes, I have read it. What struck me was, as you pointed out, the Catholic Spaniard, the Protestant Englishman and the Pagan all co-exist. This relates to the crisis in Europe i.e. Luther, the Reformation and the Counter Reformation and the dumb religious wars. As a remedy, in the 1600s, Hobbes and Spinoza proposed a strong all pervasive State. Defoe appears to be arguing against that in an appeal for appreciation of our fellow man (including 'savages'), inspirational Bible verses, Nature and of course self-sufficiency.
i only read it in my first middle school year and what u recall was the persistent unique reading experience evoked by the environment within the novel
Isn't it wonderful how a feeling, mental sensation, atmosphere, from a story, can stick with you?😀👍
Thank you, you're right. I always thought I did.
You are amazing Chanson😃👍
Great review, Tristan. Your passion for the classics is infectious. Am a third way through Robinson Crusoe and am loving it.
It wasn't necessarily Friday's footprint. Robinson sees the footprint long before he encounters Friday.
Thank you!
Excellent video. Could you please send a link to the list you are using.
It all reminds me of Andy Weir book The Martian and Hail Mary. Great similarities.
Good call. I haven't actually read the Martian. I have seen the film though and you are right, it is definitely Crusonian.
Wilkie Collins mentions this book in Moonstone
Yes, Gabriel Betteredge is quite addicted to him. 😅
You really piqued my interest. Now I have to read this for myself.
Excellent video. Which list are you using?
Could you please send a link.
I have read Robinson Crusoe, but my memory of it does not match the book you are so enthusiastic about. I've been planning a reread at some point, but a recent reading of Tarzan of the Apes put me off shipwreck lit for the moment.
🤣 I can believe that. I mentioned in another comment to Chris Bianchi that on first reading not much especially stood out. Then things began to emerge on further reflection.
Reading it again I was more impressed. I really am not sure that Defoe was deliberately looking to make some of these points, except for Providence. However it is impossible for such a thoughtful person as Defoe to not leak his own ideas into his work.
Do you know, I've never read any Tarzan.😃👍
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Tarzan is one seriously messed-up book. Part rip-roaring adventure tale, part really problematic racism and misogyny, part pure ridiculousness. Weirdly enough, I found it much easier to suspend my disbelief for the baby-raised-by-apes scenario than all the stuff that comes after Tarzan meets his real roots. Obviously, it's been read and loved by a kajillion people over the decades, but it's definitely not the book you expect if your only experience has been the adaptations.
Excellent review!
Tristan, NO, the footprint is not Friday's! I just read this book and Crusoe finding that footprint is so much more complicated.
Hello, I don't know if you see comments on older videos, but I'll make one anyway! I have not read RC, although there's a copy on one of my bookshelves. (I think my husband studied it in school.)
I've never picked it up, probably because I feel I know it already, tho after seeing this, I realise I don't at all. Also, I studied Moll Flanders at university and found it pretty unreadable. But I'll put RC on my list. It sounds wonderful!
Excellent
I liked it and Gulliver's Travels. Yes, who needs to burn books when a committee of well meaning people simply throw the baby out with the bath water. It is retrograde.
Retrograde is apt. Mentalities seem to have got a tad muddled over the last few decades.
What is funny, the more I watch, the more I realize, I knew more about this novel than I thought, but didn't know it was this novel. Just knew the story. Also, I had no clue that this could be considered the first modern novel. 😮