LAR'S LIBRARY: MY REVIEW OF ROBERT KRASKE'S "MAROONED"

MAROONED: THE STRANGE BUT TRUE TALE OF ALEXANDER SELKIRK, THE REAL ROBINSON CRUSOE. By Robert Kraske, Robert Andrew Parker. Clarion, 2005. 128 pages.

What a neat little book. It makes me wish for more little books like this—seven and a half by five inches and a skosh more than a hundred pages.

Robert Kraske makes no sacrifices here. He offers an elegantly told tale with lots of digression to explain world politics, naval technology, the flora and fauna of Juan Fernández Island, even the sounds and smells of London streets of the early eighteenth century.

It’s unnecessary to have read, or know anything about, Defoe’s classic ‘Robinson Crusoe’ to enjoy this jewel of historical sweep and swashbuckling adventure, although that certainly made my experience all the richer.

As with any biography where source material is scarce, Kraske is forced to resort to many ‘might haves,’ but his research and love for detail bring the past to life. He’s got quite a story in the bare bones of what we do know.

Alexander Selkirk, like Crusoe, was stricken with wanderlust and a desire to escape a caring but overbearing Scottish father, and proved to be a worthy sailor. Unlike Crusoe, he was a feisty one as well and ended up on his island (off Chile rather than Brazil) not through shipwreck, but because a captain called his bluff and left him there. Selkirk got the last laugh on that one.

Selkirk seems to have reveled in the same ‘undoubted right of dominion’ that so thrilled Crusoe in isolation, but he could never equal that joy, as relieved as he was when rescued from Juan Fernández.

The excitement was far from over, as he joined a squadron of British privateers that circled the globe, taking Spanish treasure. But after returning to England, he was uncomfortable with the renown gained through his exploits. ‘O my beloved island! I wish I had never left thee,’ he cried to his nonplussed family. And then ran off to sea again.

Selkirk never really found the feeling of home he had, so far from human contact and his origins, again.

Daniel Defoe’s own story ran parallel to his inspiration. Finally achieving huge success at sixty with ‘Robinson Crusoe,’ he couldn’t parlay fame and fortune into happiness, either.

Kraske’s masterful recounting of the true tale that led to the classic novel is perfectly complemented by Robert Andrew Parker’s simple and effective ink-and-wash illustrations.

A great bite-sized saga for lovers of history and adventure. Highly recommended for sixth graders on up.