
A young man raised in a comfortable York household feels a restless pull toward the sea, despite his father's counsel to stay within the safety of a modest, middle‑class life. He is drawn by the promise of adventure and the lure of distant horizons, rejecting the predictable path of law and commerce laid out for him. His family’s warnings echo, but his determination grows, setting the stage for a bold departure from everything familiar.
Soon after setting sail, a fierce storm capsizes his ship, leaving him cast upon a remote, uninhabited island. Stripped of society’s comforts, he must rely on his wits, the scant supplies salvaged from the wreck, and the natural world around him to survive. As he learns to build shelter, find food, and confront solitude, the story unfolds as a vivid exploration of human resilience and the transformative power of isolation.
Language
en
Duration
~10 hours (619K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
1996-05-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

d. 1731
Best known for "Robinson Crusoe," this restless English writer turned a turbulent life in trade, politics, and journalism into some of the most vivid prose of the early novel. His work mixes adventure, social observation, and the sharp eye of a born pamphleteer.
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