"Daniel Defoe: The Short Stories" by Daniel Defoe. **

• Audiobook
• English author, late 1600s, early 1700s
• Short Stories
• "Dickery Cronk": mute philosopher who ends his life when regaining his voice after a fit, life is but lent at first, a wise man lives every day as his last, religious beliefs, dying is an unavoidable appendix to life, list of guidelines to live by.......perhaps Defoe's desire to be heard after his own death, reminded me of Fernando Pessoa's long list of philosophies
• "The Apparition of Mrs. Beal":  spinster, had fits, Mrs. Bargrave (sp?)was her friend, Mrs. Beal visits her before longer journey full of prophetic information, turns out she was dead during the visit
• "The History of the Pirate":  all religion a curb on the wicked, priests as immoral as anyone else, pirate befriended the priest, platform for religious beliefs, all persons equal, pride increases with power, views on monarchy, politics in general
• Review:  Most of the stories in this collection served as platforms for the author's political, religious, and life philosophies.  Not my cup of tea.  I prfer Defoe's more swashbuckling storytelling.  However, if the reader is interested in Defoe, the man, then it may be a good selection.