DANIEL DEFOE Ultimate Collection (Illustrated) (eBook)

Daniel Defoe (c. 1660 – 1731) was an English writer, journalist, and pamphleteer, now most famously known as the author of 'Robinson Crusoe' (1719), a novel that has endured through the ages and spawned a genre of its own - the desert island story. His works exhibit a remarkable diversity, ranging from satirical poems, economic writings, political and religious pamphlets, to didactic novels that delve into the challenges of leading a moral life in a complex world. Born as Daniel Foe, he later adopted the more aristocratic-sounding 'Defoe' for his writings. Defoe's early life was marked by a series of business ventures, which included trading wine and occasionally dabbling in politics. Despite facing bankruptcy, Defoe's relentless spirit enabled him to turn to the written word to earn a living. In terms of style, Defoe's novels often employed a pseudo-autobiographical narrative technique, lending them a sense of plausibility and immediacy that captivated contemporary readers. His prose style, characterized by clarity and the unadorned depiction of events, has been lauded for its innovative realism. In 'Moll Flanders' (1722) and 'A Journal of the Plague Year' (1722), Defoe vividly evokes the struggles and resilience of individuals confronting the social tumults of the 17th and early 18th centuries. While 'Robinson Crusoe' is his masterpiece, the breadth and depth of Defoe's writings reveal an intellect deeply engaged with the tumultuous economic and social conditions of his time. Daniel Defoe remains a central figure in the canon of English literature, his work forming a bridge between the journalistic style of the Restoration period and the emerging novel form of the 18th century.