Book Review: Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe

It's almost impossible to not see the parallels between Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe and David Wyss's The Swiss Family Robinson, for the latter has been clearly inspired by Robinson's derring-dos on a deserted island frequented by savages. Now coming to think of it, both these novels are more of a "survival guide" than an adventure, their narratives more or less hamstrung by conveniences and coincidences. But I still enjoyed the Swiss family's trials and tribulations partly because of the family values it tried to impart, and the sense of togetherness it brought.

Of course logic is a big casualty, and having read it during my early childhood, I really didn't seem to care much then. Robinson Crusoe is a lot worse. Even if we ignore the fact how everything Crusoe needs is either conveniently available or achieved with minimal danger to his life, the characterization is so lazy to the point of causing annoyance. Here's a man who abandons his parents just because he longed the sea, and never feels an inch of remorse for his deeds except when he is faced with difficulties. At least the Swiss family exercised their religious proclivities both in times of joys and adversities (not that I am getting into the theological side of the story).

What's even more disappointing is the author's failure to make the reader aware of Crusoe's takeaway from his agonizing 24 years of solitude. He is happy to get back to his homeland, but what did he learn? And what of his parents? Is anyone even interested to see him again? The way the novel blatantly supports slavery is another aspect that ticked me off, though it isn't altogether surprising given the colonial backdrop. For a book that's supposedly considered a classic, this one is a waste of time and a colossal disappointment.