Cast Away by Francesca de Torre Review – Gripping Portrait of the Real Life Robinson Crusoe Francesca de Torre's novel Cast Away has sparked an intriguing conversation about the human condition, but beneath its surface level fascination lies a more complex exploration of identity and the notion of self.
At first glance, it may seem jarring to juxtapose the urbane world of 1960s Manhattan with that of 18th century privateer Alexander Selkirk.
However, de Torre's masterful use of transhistorical ventriloquism allows us to see parallels between these seemingly disparate figures: Frank O'Hara and Selkirk, both struggling to make sense of their own identities in the face of isolation.