1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
“This book, the first English novel, is interesting on so many levels. Certainly filled with a multiplicity of meaning and layers, it broaches economic theory, political systems, colonisation, religious beliefs, hypocrisy, the classic Roman values of pietas (or rather impietas) and a plethora of other issues, all swirled in adventure. There is one rather large thorn in the side of this book, although it perhaps makes it all the more interesting. That is, that I couldn't abide the character of Crusoe! He is twistedly cruel, emotionally distant and speaks of repentance, yet repeats his actions at his whim. He is an unreliable narrator, as you will see by what he says and then what he does, with, in my opinion, a highly developed case of self obsession. (I believe what may have begun as a tribute to individualism may have crossed the line to selfishness.) Having said all that, the hundreds of stories/movies/songs, etc, you will likely recognise based on this classic, and the scope for interpretation, make it a must read.”
