CultureAugust 3, 2026
robinsonade
rob-in-suh-NAHD
Definition
A literary genre consisting of stories depicting characters who are isolated from society—typically on a deserted island—and must rely on their own ingenuity to survive and rebuild a version of civilized life.
Etymology
Derived from the name 'Robinson' (specifically Robinson Crusoe, the protagonist of Daniel Defoe's 1719 novel) and the suffix '-ade,' which denotes a story or sequence of events in the style of the named subject.
In the news
The article uses the term to categorize Nan Chauncy’s novel 'They Found a Cave,' explaining that while it follows the survivalist structure of a classic adventure, it uniquely shifts the focus from temporary escape to permanent domestic belonging.
The refusal of rescue
Read the full article ↗The Spectator Australia