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I have never understood the popularity of the “Survivor” reality TV show series, which itself is based on a 1997 Swedish TV series called “Expedition Robinson.” The name of the original Swedish show was obviously taken from the book to be reviewed here - Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (1661 to 1731). I have never had any interest in watching the “Survivor” show. However, I do enjoy real stories of survival by castaways on deserted islands that also contain the theme of building a civilization. James Fenimore Cooper’s The Crater, Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss, The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne, and of course the original, Robinson Crusoe, are all wonderful stories, filled with hard-earned wisdom, ingenuity, bravery, and endurance. What makes them special is their spiritual depth.
The spiritual aspect of human beings is particularly evident in Robinson Crusoe. When Crusoe comes to the island, it is after years away from home, which he spent following worldly passions and not remembering God at all. On the island upon which he is cast away, he rescues from his wrecked ship not only firearms, tools, food, and some animals, but also a Bible. He works hard to build himself shelter, gather and grow food, explore his island, and build protection for himself from the various pirates and cannibal tribes that he knows inhabit those seas. But he is lonely, depressed, and fearful in spite of his hard, intelligent labor. A bout of severe sickness, where he was sure he was going to die alone in fear of what the afterlife might bring, drives him to his knees. After he recovers, he begins to read the Bible to see if there is any hope for such a man as him. He finds the Lord Jesus Christ, sees the hand of God in his circumstances, and his life is changed forever. He finds a servant and friend in Friday, a man from one of the cannibalistic tribes living in the general region. The way Crusoe teaches him about God and Friday’s ultimate acceptance of Crusoe’s Savior is touching. The novel contains a realistic treatment of loneliness, fear, and ultimate Christian victory and is utterly fascinating as the author describes the ingenious ways Crusoe uses to conquer his environment and provide for himself a prosperous, happy home. The text is beautifully enhanced by color paintings by N.C. Wyeth, who is famous for illustrating many classic novels. Robinson Crusoe is highly recommended for high school readers, although some middle school children might also enjoy it.
Defoe also wrote a sequel (even in the early 1700s, readers wanted to know “then what happened”) called Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. This story is set after he is rescued from his island, describing his many further (farther) adventures along with his servant and friend Friday. They travel through the mountains of Europe, fight bandits, and re-visit their island. This sequel is fun to read but, to my mind, is not on the same level as the original novel.
There is a little cemetery in the middle of London called Bunhills Cemetery. It is a quiet green oasis surrounded by office buildings and various business establishments. Back in the 1700s, non-Conformist Christians, those who didn’t follow the Church of England, were not allowed to be buried in Anglican cemeteries so that Bunhills was the final resting place for many non-Conformists. Daniel Defoe is buried there. I have visited there and seen his monument, which proudly displays his greatest achievement in life: “Author of Robinson Crusoe.”