Robinson Crusoe

'Robinson Crusoe' is one of the earliest novels in the English language, written by Daniel Defoe and first published in 1719. It tells the story of a young man named Robinson Crusoe who desires to go to sea, against the wishes of his family. After several voyages and misadventures, he finds himself shipwrecked on a deserted island. With only a few salvaged items from the ship, Crusoe learns to create a life for himself, building shelter, hunting, and planting crops. He remains on the island for 28 years, experiencing encounters with cannibals, mutineers, and even befriending a man whom he names Friday. The novel delves deep into themes of survival, civilization versus nature, and the human drive for mastery and control.