Superb

I loved this book...and Simon Vance's narration is nigh on perfection.. highly recommended... buy it

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1 person found this helpful

An historic novel with naturally dated attitudes

Found the first half turgid - an exasperating main character, and every day a rather dreary log of what his actions were. Chapter 15 however encompasses a moving & rather touchingly written account of regret, repentance & perceived redemption of value to anyone not simply those of faith: the moral being to be grateful for what we have. The latter chapters are far more paced & rattle along through adventures. But beware this IS a work of its time and prejudices.

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Finely judged reading

Great to hear Crusoe, from York, presented in a well-judged and suitably expressive Yorkshire accent. A great listen.

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Very good

I enjoyed listening to this book, but think I benefitted from listening first. I think reading through the book may have been harder work. Most is monologe (of course, if deserted by oneself on an island) and occasionally dragged. However if you have already read and love the book, you will not be disappointed with this audio version. The narration is very good. I was surprised by some phrases and idealogies, but then it was written a very long time ago, when the status of women, black people, and 'savages' was considerably different, and considered acceptable and normal.

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2 people found this helpful

Great classic story

Classic story, everyone knows the basics from abridged versions but there’s a lot more to it. Very much if it’s time (1700s) in places, and the philosophical and religious musings might be relevant but do derail the narrative a bit. Freebie so can’t complain.

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A true Classic

I really enjoyed this 300 year old novel. Classic adventure beautifully told. Cannot imagine anyone surviving like this today.

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Historically interesting, Good story.

This book was interesting from a historical context and also a good story. The book was published on April 25, 1719. Its full title was "The Life and strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner: Who lived Eight and Twenty Years, all alone in an un-inhabited Island on the coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, where-in all the Men perished but himself. With An Account how he was at last as strangely deliver'd by Pyrates. Written by Himself". Great title for charades.

Novelist James Joyce noted that the true symbol of the British conquest is Robinson Crusoe: "He is the true prototype of the British colonist. ? The whole Anglo-Saxon spirit is in Crusoe: the manly independence, the unconscious cruelty, the persistence, the slow yet efficient intelligence, the sexual apathy, the calculating taciturnity." I found the book interesting for the different values and conflicting morals held by RC and the normality with which these values were accepted in that day. Historically informative.

A well-read book that keeps the listener interested.

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4 people found this helpful

Good Yarn

A interesting book which, theiving from Wikipedia, can be summed up by novelist James Joyce, who noted that the true symbol of the British conquest is Robinson Crusoe: "He is the true prototype of the British colonist. ? The whole Anglo-Saxon spirit is in Crusoe: the manly independence, the unconscious cruelty, the persistence, the slow yet efficient intelligence, the sexual apathy, the calculating taciturnity". I would add to that a man with a twisted and egotistical view of religion and a hypocrite, even by the standards of when the book was written (1719). Good book though, a bit slow in places and well read.

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3 people found this helpful

Great

Where does Robinson Crusoe rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Great listen. Very enjoyable, one of the best books every written in English, in my opinion.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Robinson Crusoe?

There are many.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favourite?

Robinson, of course.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

It would be Castaway

Any additional comments?

Great voice, good to listen to.

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1 person found this helpful

flabergasting story

amazing story of a man's resilience against hostile environments and against all odds becoming a better man for it .
despite it being set in a time where slavery was normal and prejudice ingrown into society the resulting connections between man and his fellow man are interwoven in a wonderfull fantasy of adventure , overcoming all odds and redemption .

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