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Robinson Crusoe

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Robinson Crusoe is a famous adventure book written by Daniel Defoe. It was first published on 25 April 1719. Many people believe this book helped start realistic fiction. This is a type of story that feels very real. Some even call it the first English novel. The story follows a man named Robinson Crusoe. He is a sailor who gets stuck on a remote island.

Alexander Selkirk Title Page
Alexander Selkirk Title Page

He spends 28 years living there alone. The book is so popular that its name created a new genre. We call these survival stories "Robinsonades."

Robinson crusoe bookstore
Robinson crusoe bookstore

Crusoe's journey on the island is a long process of survival. After a shipwreck, he is the only human to survive. He finds tools and supplies from the broken ship. He builds a home near a cave and makes a fence. He even makes a wooden cross to act as a calendar. To eat, he grows barley and rice. He learns to make pottery and makes traps for food. He also raises goats and keeps a small parrot.

Robinson.Crusoe.island
Robinson.Crusoe.island

Many people think the story is based on real life. One famous idea is that it was inspired by Alexander Selkirk. He was a Scottish sailor who lived on an island for four years. That island is now called Robinson Crusoe Island. Another possible inspiration was a man named Pedro Serrano. He was a Spanish sailor who lived on a small island for many years. Some experts say the book uses many different survival stories.

Alexander Selkirk Statue
Alexander Selkirk Statue

Crusoe's life on the island changes when he meets others. He finds people who visit the island to hunt. One day, he saves a man from danger. He names this new friend Friday. This name comes from the day of the week they met. Crusoe teaches Friday the English language. They work together to survive and find help. Eventually, an English ship arrives to rescue him.

Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday Offterdinger
Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday Offterdinger

Crusoe finally leaves the island on 19 December 1686. He arrives back in England on 11 June 1687. He finds out his family thought he was dead. Because of this, he did not get anything from his father's will. However, he had become very wealthy from a plantation in Brazil. He travels to Lisbon to get his money. On the way, he and Friday face one last adventure. They have to fight off wolves while crossing the Pyrenees mountains.

Robinson Crusoe's route across the Pyrenees mountains
Robinson Crusoe's route across the Pyrenees mountains
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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:Robinson.Crusoe.island.jpg
Robinson.Crusoe.island.jpg
File:Robinson Crusoe's route across the Pyrenees mountains.jpg
Robinson Crusoe's route across the...
File:Alexander Selkirk Statue.jpg
Alexander Selkirk Statue.jpg
File:Alexander Selkirk Title Page.jpg
Alexander Selkirk Title Page.jpg
File:SFEC HULL CRUSOE1.JPG
SFEC HULL CRUSOE1.JPG
File:Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday Offterdinger.jpg
Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday Offterdinger.jpg
File:Robinson crusoe bookstore.JPG
Robinson crusoe bookstore.JPG
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