In Search of Robinson Crusoe

Those reader's who have read some of the author's fictional books may be surprised to know that he has written even more factual books, all with a historical feel to them. Tim Severin has done many exciting things in his life, not least tracing the route of the remarkable Marco Polo, by motor-cycle, while still a student at Oxford. Since then he has been both explorer and traveller, author and film maker. He has recreated a number of journeys and voyages from the pages of history. Not simply for his own enjoyment but also as an aid to proving whether they were possible, or simply just myths In this particular book Tim Severin attempts to trace back to the real Robinson Crusoe, who spawned Daniel Defoe's fictional character. The book is well written and interesting and at times reads like a travelogue, with the author taking us to many strange and sometimes inhospitable places in his attempt to solve the mystery of the island castaway. Severin takes us, among other places to the island from which the Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk sailed. Selkirk being one of the favourites for the character of Robinson Crusoe. Daniel Defoe is also paramount in the author's investigation and through Defoe Tim Severin exposes other characters from the period that may have sparked the idea for Defoe's book. Tim Severin narrates a good tale and the book is both interesting and informative.

This is not the first such voyage of literary detection upon which Tim Severin has embarked, though it is the first I have read. What Severin presents you with is a narrative mix that alternates between his retellings of the primary sources, the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century published voyage-narratives that were Defoe's potential sources for his novel Robinsion Crusoe, and accounts of Severin's own "in the foot-steps" travels around the relevant locations. In both these areas of narrative Severin's prose makes for an entertaining and compelling read. He is apposite and insightful without pretence. In his historical judgment, he occasionally seems intemperate and one-sided; his treatment Captain Shelvocke seems particularly severe. This is because, ultimately, he writes more like a journalist than an historian, but his portraits of historical characters certainly bring them to life for the reader. In describing his contemporary travels, Severin's observations are equally acute, often poignant and occasionally hilarious. A particular treat is his account of Grand Cayman, a hugely amusing study of petty officialdom in a small, rich, self-important but essentially dysfunctional, offshore haven. The book's conclusion is not earth-shattering or at all unexpected. Crusoe isn't Alexander Selkirk, though the latter's contemporary celebrity doubtless made him a significant influence upon Defoe. Crusoe is a fictional composite who owes a little something to a variety of historical seafarers. Severin also shows us the historical prototypes of Man Friday, a component entirely absent from Selkirk's story. The nearest to "finding Crusoe" Severin gets is to identify the historical man to whom the fictional hero Crusoe is said to owe the most. I won't spoil things by naming him, but I was fascinated to read about Severin's prime suspect. Although Severin never makes this connection in his book, it is blindingly obvious that his candidate for Crusoe was, in fact, also the source for Rafael Sabatini's great swashbuckling hero, Peter Blood. None of this matters because, with Severin's excellent narrative, the pleasure is in the journey rather than the final destination. I will tell you, however, what Tim Severin does not: Robinson Crusoe and Captain Blood are one and the same!

Tim Severin's books have never failed to engross me and this one is no exception. In it, he looks at the story of Robinson Crusoe and examines what is known about the origins of the story and then goes to explore for himself. The result is a rewarding voyage of exploration without leaving the comfort of the air conditioning. It is widely accepted that the story of Crusoe is based upon the real life adventure of Alexander Selkirk on Juan Fernandez Island. Severin tracks down what is known about this flash in the historical pan and then explores his island and his relationships to other people who enter his story. Selkirk's adventure took place in the Pacific but Crusoe takes place in the Caribbean. Selkirk also had no man Friday to accompany him. So it is that the areas in the Carib which might have influenced Crusoe are also examined. So too are the people with whom Daniel Defoe may have been in contact. Severin puts forth the hypothesis that the story of Selkirk may have been the inspiration for Crusoe but that the actual tale of the novel is based upon several other real life exploits of other people. Reading this book will not solve the world's great problems nor will it add to your bottom line. It will simply broaden a few horizons and provide for some pleasurable musings.

Tim Severin is a master of his craft. For any one who has not read his other books this is a good place to start. His enthusiasm for his task, in this case finding on what, or whom, Defoe mostly likely based his book 'Robinson Crusoe' has once again resulted in a well written and readable book. Severin's research and resulting drawing together of threads makes for a different sort of book. Rather than a mere recounting of his own voyages he seeks out the connections between people, places and history that makes the past vastly more interesting. His own particular concerns are worth following as they inevitably lead the reader to places that one may never have thought of as being connected. Severin is a skilled story teller/social historian whose books are suitable for all ages and should appeal to a wide range of interests.

Daniel Defoe based his famous Robin Crusoe castaway character on the real-life seafaring adventurers of men who were his contemporaries - and who did survive for years on isolated islands after shipwrecks. Tim Severin camped out on islands castaways once survived on, and searched South America for the tribes which were a model for Crusoe's companion Man Friday. In Search Of Robinson Crusoe is highly recommended history blended with adventure and travel in a revealing and thoroughly engaging.