Robinson Crusoe: 3 Stars

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

This is the ultimate child rebellion book. Robinson's parents want him to grow up, get an education, and become a lawyer.  Robinson wants to travel the world. In the 17th century, defying your parents and society wasn't as common or as easy as it is today. But Robinson did it. He boarded a ship and left his home without getting his parent's blessing.  Little did he know that the adventure he looked for, he would get tenfold.

After one shipwreck, you would think that Robinson would decide against heading to sea, but instead he heads right back out on another ship, only to be captured by pirates and enslaved. After escaping slavery, Robinson is able to get land and live in Brazil.  But his taste for the sea has not been satisfied still. 

After years of living on his plantation, Robinson decides that it is time to set sail again, and this time, the result is far worse.  The ship wrecks and Robinson is stranded on a an island all alone.  Or at least he thinks he's alone. He eventually finds out that there others on the island as well, but not exactly the friendliest of people. They are cannibals.

Robinson ends up rescuing a man from the cannibals who doesn't speak English.  He names him Friday and thus begins one of the greatest bromances in all of literature. Robinson teaches Friday English and teaches him about Christianity.  They two grow close and end up saving more people from the cannibals. Eventually they escape the island and Robinson heads home, decades after he left.With his family long gone, Robinson moves back to his plantation in Brazil with his best friend.

This book was entertaining and funny.  I struggled quite a bit with how it was written. I felt like Defoe focused so much on the mundane details and not as much on the action a I would have liked. The reason for this had far more to do with the social practices of the time the book was written. The majority of these practices are dead, thus making the details of things (like the origins of the name Crusoe) very boring to read about. But, alas, this is one of the perils of reading literature that is hundreds of years old. 

At the end of the day, the story is very entertaining and engaging. 

Rating: PG

Recommended for those who enjoy: action, adventure, pirates, and classics.

Peter Pan: 4 Stars

 

Peter Pan by JM Barrie 

I thought today would be a good day to review Peter Pan because when I think of Peter Pan, I often think of Robin Williams and his portrayal of Peter in the movie Hook. I remember watching that movie over and over as a child and it helps explain why Robin Williams was my favorite actor as a child (that and because he was the Genie!) His charisma and humor will be greatly missed.

Like I am sure most of you know, Peter Pan is about a little orphan boy who ran away to Neverland where he never grew up. He would occasionally sneak back to the real world to hear stories outside the Darling home. But one day, Peter lost his shadow. Desperate to get it back, Peter returned to the home with the help of Tinkerbell, a fairy. Lucky for Peter, Mr. Darling had decided to tie up Nana, the kid's dog, outside. Peter was able to get into the home easily, but not quietly. He accidentally woke up Wendy, who helped him reattach his shadow. Soon John and Michael were awake and the three decided to join Peter in Neverland. 

Neverland wasn't just a home for Peter, but a home for many young boys called the Lost Boys. But the Lost Boys weren't the only inhabitants. There were mermaids, Indians, pirates, and fairies! The adventure begins when the pirate captain, Captain Hook, sees an opportunity to finally capture his arch nemesis Peter Pan, thanks to a jealous Tinkerbell.

The story was cute and fun, just like I had imagined it would be. I really enjoyed the imagery that Barrie was able to convey in the book. I highly recommend this for young and old alike.

Rating: G

Recommended for those who enjoy: children's books, pirates, adventure, action, and humor.

Treasure Island: 3 Stars

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Before reading this book, I already knew most of the plot details, thanks the the Disney film I grew up watching.  Given that this movie came out over 30 years before I was born, many of you may not be as familiar with it. Well, I decided to look up and see where the young Jim Hawkins was now, perhaps finding he was in a movie someone may recognize. Turns out, young Bobby Driscoll lived a tragic life. After becoming a child star, Bobby's life became rocky as jobs didn't come as easily but drugs did. He died at the young age of 31, found in an abandoned building. Unable to identify him, he was buried as a John Doe. Nineteen months after his body was found, his mother sought after him, trying to reunite him with his dying father.  Such a tragic end, and I can't watch the movie the same anymore. 

Anyhow, back to the book! 

Young Jim Hawkins works in an inn with his father, when an old pirate known as "the captain" arrives, paying Jim to keep lookout for other pirates. Two come, scaring "the captain" who ends up dying from a stroke, leaving behind a chest for Jim. In the chest is a map. With the help of a man name Trelawney, Jim joins a crew to go find this treasure, lead by Long John Silver, a pirate that might not be trustworthy. Adventure begins! 

The movie actually followed the book pretty closely and the plot was very close to accurate.  That took away from some of the fun of reading, since I already knew what was going to happen. On occasion, I found the book to be just a smidge boring, but that is due to it being a bit dated (it was written in 1883 after all). 

But at the end of the day it was a fun book and I enjoyed it.  Also, the audiobook was read by Alfred Molina and he did a marvelous job! 

Rating: PG

Recommended for those who like children's books, adventure, pirates, and action.