I think many of you are very much familiar with the novel “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe. For some of us, it was our first novel whereas some of us read it as a part of our school curriculum or may have just heard its name. This book was an immediate success in England and later its popularity spreads to the rest of the world. This was Daniel Defoe’s first novel which was followed by many popular biographies such as Moll Flanders, The Fortunate Mistress, or Roxana etc. Let’s find out some fascinating facts about this popular novel, Robinson Crusoe:

1. FIRST ENGLISH NOVEL

Robinson Crusoe is often called the first English novel and is credited as marking the beginning of the realistic fiction as a literary genre. It was published on 25^th April 1719. It is the tale of a young man’s survival on a desert island following a shipwreck. When Robinson Crusoe was published for the first time, its original title was:

The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, Of York, Mariner: Who lived Eight and Twenty Years, all alone in an Un-inhabited Island on the Coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but himself, with An Account how he was at last as strangely deliver’d by Pyrates.

2. TWO SEQUELS

This fictional memoir became so popular and commercially successful that Defoe quickly wrote its two sequels. But very few people know them as they are not that much popular. The first sequel is The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe in 1719 and the second one is Serious Reflections During the Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe in 1720.The two sequels describe Crusoe’s adventures after returning to the island following his wife’s death and his travelling stories after the death of his faithful servant Friday.

3. ROBINSONADE

The novel became so popular that it gives birth to a new literary genre known as the “Robinsonade”. Robinson Crusoe was so well known and well received that an entire genre of deserted island survivalist fiction became popular that time. Also the character Robinson came to be recognized as a literary and cultural icon. There was even a 1964 film, Robinson Crusoe on Mars, whose title itself explains the popularity of the fiction. Though it was not the first fictional narrative to take place in a desert island but it was the most influential one. 

4. INSPIRATION: ALEXANDER SELKIRK

This is the bronze statue of Alexander Selkirk.The main part of Defoe’s book i.e. the adventures of Crusoe on his island were based on the experiences of a Scottish sailor, Alexander Selkirk who was the prototype of the abandoned traveler. Since Daniel Defoe loved travel stories so he must have read about the Scottish sailor who had survived five years of solitary existence on a desert island, Juan Fernandez Island near Chile. Selkirk had been left there at his own wish after his quarrel with his Captain. This survival story was a sensation and the public was easily fascinated by it. Thus Defoe used this story to write his own novel, The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.

5. ROBINSON AND COLONIALISM

Several writers especially James Joyce, have criticized Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe for being a representation of British colonialism. James Joyce wrote that Robinson is the true symbol of British conquest. He casts away on a desert island with a knife and a pipe but soon becomes a knife grinder, a carpenter, an architect, a baker, a tailor , nd a clergyman and he feels like the King of the island. He has the traits of a British colonialist such as manly independence, unconscious cruelty, persistence, practical, well balanced and religiousness. His social relationship with Friday, the savage whom he had saved from the cannibals is regarded as the model of Western colonialism. This is because when Crusoe first encountered Friday, he immediately suppresses his language and culture and gave him a new name, Friday and taught him Western habits. He also asked him to address Robinson as “Master” and asked Friday to convert himself to the Christian religion as his devoted servant. Hence, Robinson Crusoe became the prototype of the British colonialist and Friday the symbol of the subject races.

Kiev is the newest hotspot for those who enjoy a really wild nightlife!  Kiev is the capital of Ukraine and has become a place where people flock to for wild nights on the town.  Unfortunately, since the growing conflicts with Russia, it has fallen on hard times.  That said, it’s still safe for your nightlife adventures.

The hub of nightlife in Kiev is on Maidan square and even though everything is not located there,  most are.  Instead of booking a hotel or a hostel, rent a house around Maidan square so you will be closer to the action.  They are really not expensive coming in around 25 to 40 dollars a day, a fully furnished house is 40 to 60 dollars.  Most of this, like anywhere else, all depends on location.

If you have a friend in Kiev, they will be able to help you talk with the owner of the house and possibly get you the lowest rent.  If you are not crazy about Ukrainian food or just want to grab fast food, there are McDonald’s and KFC all over town.  Prices throughout Kiev are really very inexpensive no matter what food you want.  Traditional popular choices include Vareniki, Borscht, and Kievski dishes that you should try before you leave town.

Before heading to Kiev, be sure you have enough dollars or euros with you. You can very easily convert your funds into Grivna, which is Ukrainian money.  Just as a suggestion, do not change your money at the airport, you will get better rates elsewhere.  English is common in Kiev, unlike other cities, but not common in nightclubs and bars.  Even so, there will be people in these places that do speak English and will help you out.  If you speak Russian you’re in luck because almost everyone speaks it.

Back to the nightlife – it’s non-stop in Kiev!  The atmosphere is electric among all the different choices including student nightclubs, tourist nightclubs, and the local nightclubs.  Student nightclubs are usually packed, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.  Although all clubs are packed on the weekends, the student clubs are just a little more so and a great deal wilder.

Different Clubs:

Arena, Buddha Bar, Sky Bar, D-Lux are high-end and very expensive but are a great deal safer.  There are also spritz clubs but are very expensive and not worth the trip.  Vodka bar, Forsage club, Shooters, and Sorry Babuckha are very inexpensive. You can book a table and enjoy a bottle of vodka along with unlimited energy drinks that cost approximately 50 dollars for the entire night.

If a fight breaks out somewhere, stay out of it!  It’s highly possible you will run into fights in Kiev, especially around the nightclubs.  That’s not to say it will happen, but feelings of racism have been on the rise over the past few years, so don’t pick a fight!

It’s highly recommended you travel by train or the metro.  The night hours in Kiev can be dangerous for foreigners and never walk around alone at night, take a taxi.  Watch out for from cab drivers, they will try and convince you to visit rather sleazy back streets.  If you are looking for a nice girl, start off with a respectable taxi driver who will take you to better destinations.  The language can be a barrier, so if you speak some Russian and get a driver with some English, they will be able to send you an SMS to your phone with their car model, driver’s number, and the cost.  They will let you know how long it will take to get to you but are also a great deal cheaper and safer than a cab on the streets.  You might want to hook up with a girl but there’s always a chance it won’t happen.  Get a local internet line that connects calls and good for courting girls. If this is not for you, the only other alternative is through an escort service.  You can pick a service and someone will come to your home depending on your agreement with the service.  A beautiful, young girl will run approximately 80 to 150 for the night.  Whatever you expect from your nightlife in Kiev, always show caution and if you book a girl, and decide you don’t like her, there could be issues!  Think before you jump!