Daniel Defoe (1660—1730) is a famous journalist and novelist in the 18th century in Britain. He was the eldest son of the owner of a candle shop. Daniel had a good education. Then he himself had a little shop, selling wine, cigarettes and various kinds of food. Some time later he owned a brick factory. But he was not lucky in business and became bankrupt1 twice. He then worked as a journalist, ran a magazine called “The Review”2. He wrote many short articles, especially on political subjects. He took part in social and political activities, which were against the government. All this made the government angry, and therefore, he was fined3 and put in prison several times. Defoe wrote his first novel Robinson Crusoe in 1719, at the age of 59, which was his most famous writing. The novel was translated into many different languages and had various kinds of editions. It was widely welcomed by the people all over the world. Other novels include “Captain Singleton（1720）”(《辛格顿船长》), “Moll Flanders（1722）”(《莫尔·弗兰德斯》), “Colonel Jack（1722）” (《上校杰克》) and so on.
Robinson Crusoe is the hero4 of the novel. He worked as a seaman on board a ship, which was lost in a storm. He was thrown up on an island, where nobody else lived. After overcoming a great many difficulties, he settled down on the island. He made a house to live in; he made a lamp to give light; he made pots to boil food; he grew corn to make bread; he made a boat to carry things...Twenty-eight years passed before an English ship picked him up and brought him back to England. In this book, Defoe sang highly of5 labour and man's struggle against nature. The following is the first three sections of the story simplified6 by Michael West. You'll find it easy to read. If you are interested in knowing more of the story, try to find a copy of the simplified version7 in your school library.
I was born in the year 1632, in the city of York, of a good family. At a very early age I wanted to go to sea. My father was a wise man, and he begged me not to do so. For a time I decided not to think of it any more. But one day in the city of Hull I met a friend who was going to sea on his father's ship. He asked me to go with him. Then, without asking my father, without asking for God's blessing8,without any thought of the result, I went on board the ship.
On the same day we left Hull, meaning to go to9 the African coast. We guided the ship as if we were going to the island of Fernando de Noronha. Then we passed to the east of that island. After a few days there came a fearful storm. The wind and the waves threw the ship this way and that for 12 days. The ship was badly broken and a lot of water was coming in. Then one of our men, early in the morning, cried out, 'Land!' Just after that, the ship ran on to some sand. The waves came over the ship, and we knew that very soon it would be broken to pieces. We had a small boat on board; we let the boat down into the water, and got into it. When we had gone some distance in the boat, a great wave came from behind. “Oh God!” We cried and we were all thrown into the water.
A great wave took me and carried me on towards the shore. It left me on the land, badly hurt. I was very weak, but I got up on my feet and ran up to a dry place and lay there more deadly than alive.10 After a time I was sick11 and threw up12 a great deal of sea water which had got into my stomach. Then I wanted to rest; but I dared not sleep on the ground for fear of being eaten by wild beasts.
So I climbed up onto a tree, and remained there until morning. I was sure that all my friends had been killed and I alone had been saved. I was very tired and I quickly fell asleep.
1. bankrupt adj．破产的，无力还债的
2． The Review 《评论报》(1704－1718)
3． fine v．罚款，处以罚金
4． hero n．（小说、戏剧中的）男主角
5． sing (highly) of 歌颂
6． simplify v．简化
7． version n．译本，版本
8． god＇s blessing 神恩，向神祈福的祷告
9． meaning to go to… 原打算去……
10．more deadly than alive与其说是活着，不如说是死了
11．be sick 反胃，作呕
12．throw up 呕出，吐出