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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed this classic that I haven't read yet! Fun to see a dog's character/logic being explored through this first person novel. Also fun that it's about sleigh dogs, of course! Beautiful vocab used and very nicely written.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Grief
Minor: Racial slurs, Blood, Abandonment, Colonisation
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Buck is a dog's dog, in and out of the house, accompanying the masters around at well, and just generally living the good life in California. But when the Alaskan gold rush starts, big dogs are suddenly worth a small fortune because of their ability to pull fully-laden sleds. Buck is furtively sold by one of the gardeners and he finds himself in a veritable Hell on earth, but this version of Hell is frozen over.
But Buck is a survivor and he adapts to his new circumstances. No, he doesn't adapt; he thrives.
This was shelved in the juvenile section of my local library, and I have to say that surprises me a little bit. It's just that the vocabulary seemed pretty tough for the juvenile crowd. Had I read this as a pre-teen, I would have hated it. I would have been focused on Buck being kidnapped and how hard his life was in Alaska.
Now that I'm a little older, I appreciate the book more. Some parts bothered me, as Buck passed through the hands of various owners, some of whom were vicious. I'm pretty sure I just skimmed through the worst of the beatings. I ultimately found myself admiring Buck's strength. He thrived on his work and he thrived on being the Alpha dog. He was ultimately in his element. The harsh life he found himself in brought out some of his worst and best qualities. Isn't it funny how the two just naturally go hand in hand in some situations? He's a bully but he's a survivor. He's a natural leader. He has a boundless capacity for love. He's a hard work. He's intuitive. He gives his all to every task he's given. There's a lot to admire in him, even when he's practically feral.
The essay writer I keep buried (deeply) within sees the potential here for a great essay on the nature of man and beast and how our civility is nothing more than a thin veneer over our baser instincts. Some of my favorite parts in the book are when buck's ancestral memories come bubbling up and he can remember his ancestors living with cave men at the dawn of time.
If you can get through the sections of abuse, I do recommend this classic adventure tale. It's a quick read, it left me thinking, and it would be perfect to read as a winter storm blows outside.
But Buck is a survivor and he adapts to his new circumstances. No, he doesn't adapt; he thrives.
This was shelved in the juvenile section of my local library, and I have to say that surprises me a little bit. It's just that the vocabulary seemed pretty tough for the juvenile crowd. Had I read this as a pre-teen, I would have hated it. I would have been focused on Buck being kidnapped and how hard his life was in Alaska.
Now that I'm a little older, I appreciate the book more. Some parts bothered me, as Buck passed through the hands of various owners, some of whom were vicious. I'm pretty sure I just skimmed through the worst of the beatings. I ultimately found myself admiring Buck's strength. He thrived on his work and he thrived on being the Alpha dog. He was ultimately in his element. The harsh life he found himself in brought out some of his worst and best qualities. Isn't it funny how the two just naturally go hand in hand in some situations? He's a bully but he's a survivor. He's a natural leader. He has a boundless capacity for love. He's a hard work. He's intuitive. He gives his all to every task he's given. There's a lot to admire in him, even when he's practically feral.
The essay writer I keep buried (deeply) within sees the potential here for a great essay on the nature of man and beast and how our civility is nothing more than a thin veneer over our baser instincts. Some of my favorite parts in the book are when buck's ancestral memories come bubbling up and he can remember his ancestors living with cave men at the dawn of time.
If you can get through the sections of abuse, I do recommend this classic adventure tale. It's a quick read, it left me thinking, and it would be perfect to read as a winter storm blows outside.
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
for a short book, it's very slow and very boring. I just did not enjoy the plot of the characters.
A classic. If you love dogs, the north, or just good writing, read this book. Read it aloud for my 10 y.o. daughter. It makes a wonderful read-aloud.