Robinson Crusoe
Defoe wrote the first great English novel — a survival story so convincing that early readers thought it was a real memoir.
“I was born in the year 1632, in the city of York, of a good family, though not of that country.”
Why It Matters
Defoe wrote the first great English novel — a survival story so convincing that early readers thought it was a real memoir. Crusoe's resourcefulness on his island created the template for every castaway narrative since, from Swiss Family Robinson to Cast Away. It also unintentionally became one of literature's most revealing documents about colonialism and self-reliance.
The 
Take
Personal reviewEasy to follow, easy to understand crusoes mindset. Best part was his utter solitude and just Friday. Super simple language and nothing groundbreaking, but nailed the castaway concept
Notable Quotes
“It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man's naked foot on the shore.”
“Thus fear of danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than danger itself.”