I think this is a book that will always be for more influential than it is nice to read in modern times. 

I can appreciate the impact this had on modern literature as a whole while also recognizing this book can be a bit of a slog to get there. In particular the middle. 

I was happy with it in the beginning, my attention slowly began to wane and in the middle it was a straight up chore to get there. For the last 30% or so it does redeem itself and become wildly more interesting (only judging by this book’s standards) and I felt it ended at the strongest point in the novel. That being said, as a whole, I never thought that an adventure novel about

sailing, getting taken as a space, escaping, getting shipwrecked, surviving, running into cannibals, and mutineers, and fighting off bears and wolves

could be so utterly boring at times that I would struggle to make it through but here we are.

It’s written in a diary format which I soon grew tired of but I found it did have some charms.

To me the most interesting part of the novel was his spiritual journey along the way. He wrestles with questions of the soul and I can appreciate that even over 300 years later.

That being said, can I say I recommend this book? No, not really. The only way I would is if someone is really into classic literature and wants to complete it then dig in. I don’t mind the story and its influence is undeniable but it’s a bit of a slog for the modern reader. I’m glad I read it to say I’ve read it but I won’t be returning or reading on to the sequels.