Robinson Crusoe

The story is widely perceived to have been influenced by the life of Alexander Selkirk a Scottish castaway who lived for four years on the Pacific island called Más a Tierra (in 1966 its name was changed to Robinson Crusoe Island) Chile. However other possible sources have been put forward for the text. It is possible for example that Defoe was inspired by the Latin or English translations of Ibn Tufails Hayy ibn Yaqdhan an earlier novel also set on a desert island. Despite its simple narrative style Robinson Crusoe was well received in the literary world and is often credited as marking the beginning of realistic fiction as a literary genre. Before the end of 1719 the book had already run through four editions and it has gone on to become one of the most widely published books in history spawning numerous sequels and adaptations for stage film and television.