Reviews

The Call of the Wild by Jack London

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lmjones's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Gorgeously precise prose, and makes for an interesting allegory… But, even if there is more to it than most, this is, at its core, a dog lover book. And I just don’t like dogs that much.

utahmomreads's review against another edition

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4.0

I've been reading The Call of the Wild by Jack London with my kids in the evenings. this week we finally finished it.

The Call of the Wild is the story of Buck, a half shepherd/half St. Bernard enjoying his easy life in a small town in California. Then, he is kidnapped, transported and sold to gold prospectors in Alaska. Buck's life drastically changes. He must fight off rival dogs, withstand the blows from his master's club, and survive the treacherous frozen wilderness. Buck grows strong and cunning, eventually heeding "the call of the wild".

I found the story fascinating and rich. I was impressed with London's ability to write believably from within the mind of a dog. It was definitely a unique view of the world. The book is full of adventure and is never dull.

The vocabulary is intensive and we did have to stop several times each evening to discuss the meanings of words and the basics of plot. Neal enjoyed the story, but even he had to ask a lot of questions about plot and meanings of words. I think he might have been able to grasp it better if he had simply read it by himself. My smaller children were completely lost. They asked each night to read, but I think it was simply to prolong bedtime and because they do like to listen to me read. This particular book was definitely beyond their understanding.

olya_hakob's review against another edition

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This short tale captures the journey of a dog transitioning from domesticated life to the unforgiving wilderness, where survival reigns supreme. We witness Buck’s adaptation to the "law of club and fang," toughening him against the Nordic climate and the harsh realities of the wild. The story reveals greedy people risking their and the dog’s lives because they don't know what they're doing, but it also highlights a special connection between humans and animals. The exploration of the "call of the wild" theme is compelling: we see how societal norms and priorities can shift in challenging conditions, exposing the darker facets of the involved creatures. Some of the concepts were outdated, like the author's understanding of evolution, leading to some confusion regarding take-home messages. Overall, the language was simple yet vivid and I could connect to the characters and imagine the landscapes.

ingread27's review against another edition

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5.0

It’s not often that a book has me clutching at my heart and covering my eyes as I listen to it. For Jack London to generate sympathy and emotion in a book from the viewpoint of a dog is incredible. As a dog lover, it was really hard to listen to at times, and yet I could not pull myself away. A feast for the senses, and gloriously written, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

smusie's review against another edition

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3.0

Nice doggie turns primordial ur-wolf. Classic, of course--but a bit heavy on the ancestral memory stuff. I prefer London's short story "Brown Wolf." Same themes, but more understated, and told from the human point of view.

P.S. Why is Goodreads asking me if there is a strong male character in this book? There's a "what is this?" button but it's not working. Is there some shortage I don't know about?