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aure_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Mentiría si dijese que este libro no se siente como una cosa innovadora, porque lo es, y mucho, aún con lo sencillo que es el relato. No solo digo esto porque esta novela es una de las primeras muestras de novela de catástrofe, sinó por cómo está contada, tomándose en serio aún siendo casi un relato largo.
Esta novela corta (si la podemos llamar así) es muy eficiente creando tensión y, aún teniendo los años que tiene, se siente muy cercana, acertando hasta, según mi criterio, en la descripción de los EEUU en 2012. En cuanto a los personajes principales, el abuelo y sus nietos, genera una pena y compasión por el abuelo muy realista, dejando su narración a medio camino entre una historia que debe ser tomada en serio y las cavilaciones de un viejo sobre tiempos pasados, y esto último, teniendo en cuenta la oscuridad de lo que se cuenta tiene mucho mérito.
Lo único que me chirría es su final y el discurso del abuelo, que se siente irreal y hace que el punto de vista que ha ido construyendo se caiga de golpe. Es por eso que la narración, aún siendo muy buena, no me ha terminado de convencer
Leyendo esta obra he cometido un gran error, no leerla de una sentada. Siendo tan atmosférica como es, debería habermela leído en una tarde para no salir del universo que London construye hasta que terminase su descripción. Estoy seguro de que, si hubiese hecho esto, la obra me hubiera cocnvencido mucho más.
Para terminar, nombrar a la editorial que nos ha traído esta hermosa versión del relato, Libros del zorro rojo, cuyas ilustraciones y edición son maravillosas.
Esta novela corta (si la podemos llamar así) es muy eficiente creando tensión y, aún teniendo los años que tiene, se siente muy cercana, acertando hasta, según mi criterio, en la descripción de los EEUU en 2012. En cuanto a los personajes principales, el abuelo y sus nietos, genera una pena y compasión por el abuelo muy realista, dejando su narración a medio camino entre una historia que debe ser tomada en serio y las cavilaciones de un viejo sobre tiempos pasados, y esto último, teniendo en cuenta la oscuridad de lo que se cuenta tiene mucho mérito.
Lo único que me chirría es su final y el discurso del abuelo, que se siente irreal y hace que el punto de vista que ha ido construyendo se caiga de golpe. Es por eso que la narración, aún siendo muy buena, no me ha terminado de convencer
Leyendo esta obra he cometido un gran error, no leerla de una sentada. Siendo tan atmosférica como es, debería habermela leído en una tarde para no salir del universo que London construye hasta que terminase su descripción. Estoy seguro de que, si hubiese hecho esto, la obra me hubiera cocnvencido mucho más.
Para terminar, nombrar a la editorial que nos ha traído esta hermosa versión del relato, Libros del zorro rojo, cuyas ilustraciones y edición son maravillosas.
cassimiranda's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is such an interesting read in 2024. This examination of a world post-pandemic is fascinating. Unfortunately, the classism, racism, and misogyny of the time was such a big part of the story that it severely effected my enjoyment. I also had trouble understanding why Smith didn't do his best to impart some knowledge to his children and grandchildren before this story starts. Even basic concept like counting beyond 10 were lost? This feels particularly unbelievable and revels the prejudices of the time. Still, the overall prose was clear, descriptive, and easy to read.
yasin_alm's review against another edition
4.0
Jack London distopyaları günümüze etkileyici şekilde sosyolojik bir mercek tutuyor. Kızıl Veba da bunun yine güzel bir örneği. Fakat hacmi itibariyle muhtemelen, toplum analizi çok yüzeysel kalmış. Hikaye sürükleyici ama çoğunlukla ana karakterin konuşmaları üzerinden yürümüş. Bu kitapta alıntım yok.
pedanther's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
dinsdale's review against another edition
4.0
I was scrolling through the science fiction section of LibriVox and found this gem. I had no idea Jack London had written a post-apocalyptic novella.
The book is set in San Francisco in the year 2073, roughly 60 years after the Scarlet Plague wipes out most of humanity. The main character, James Howard Smith (or Granser as he is called by his grandsons), was an English professor at Berkeley when the plague hit. The book contains little in the way of action or a plot. Most of narrative consists of Granser telling his three primitive, knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing grandsons Edwin, Hoo-Hoo, and Hare-Lip about what life was like pre-plague and attempting to educate the knuckleheads with some basic science. In that way it reminded me of parts of Earth Abides. The grandsons have a hard time comprehending what he has to say and they absolutely do not buy anything he imparts to them about science. Additionally, they are mean to him and make him cry on occasion.
This was a quick read, and the tone is woebegone throughout. Check it out if for free via LibriVox if you are like me and enjoy this sort of fiction. 3.5 stars.
March 2023 update:
I reread this for the Apocalypse Whenever book club and I liked it better the second time. I think living through a pandemic makes one look differently at the world and realize that maybe the events of this book are more possible than we thought a few years ago. Plus, it reminds me of the excellent HBO series The Last of Us.
Granser's recollection of the fall of man makes this one.....dark stuff. London can tell a story.
The book is set in San Francisco in the year 2073, roughly 60 years after the Scarlet Plague wipes out most of humanity. The main character, James Howard Smith (or Granser as he is called by his grandsons), was an English professor at Berkeley when the plague hit. The book contains little in the way of action or a plot. Most of narrative consists of Granser telling his three primitive, knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing grandsons Edwin, Hoo-Hoo, and Hare-Lip about what life was like pre-plague and attempting to educate the knuckleheads with some basic science. In that way it reminded me of parts of Earth Abides. The grandsons have a hard time comprehending what he has to say and they absolutely do not buy anything he imparts to them about science. Additionally, they are mean to him and make him cry on occasion.
This was a quick read, and the tone is woebegone throughout. Check it out if for free via LibriVox if you are like me and enjoy this sort of fiction. 3.5 stars.
March 2023 update:
I reread this for the Apocalypse Whenever book club and I liked it better the second time. I think living through a pandemic makes one look differently at the world and realize that maybe the events of this book are more possible than we thought a few years ago. Plus, it reminds me of the excellent HBO series The Last of Us.
Granser's recollection of the fall of man makes this one.....dark stuff. London can tell a story.
ajsilver's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sams84's review against another edition
4.0
I was rather surprised when I first came across this as I had no idea that Jack London had written a post-apocalyptic story and that surprise continues still given how modern this story feels. It could easily have been written two years ago not a hundred and two years ago. The story is told through the reminisces of an old grandfather who is telling is grandsons how civilisation fell so many years ago and how their clans came about. It is a little slow in parts but this adds to the charm as grandfather loses his thread and his story gets lost on a tangent or two (as stories are want to do when told by those in their later years). The apocalyptic events are vividly told and bring to mind the scenes from the many modern versions that run rampant today (one wonders whether this story has had more of an influence than we realise...) from the early moments of the disease responsible to the final days of society and its ultimate downfall. We also get to glimpse into the grandfather's life as he struggles to survive and reconnect with other people, including his struggle with the how the world has changed. I would certainly recommend this for anyone who enjoys a bit of apocalyptca and for those who just enjoy a good story.
tearainread's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
neiribelin's review against another edition
5.0
Frankly, I picked this story up because it was like a six-pence on Audible and because I've read Jack London before.
And I do not regret the time spent. The story's amazing. I love the concept of mankind reverting back to the primitive hunter-gatherer society after the modern society collapses, and as I'm an avid fan of Horizon Zero Dawn (the post-apocalyptic video game), this was like a side story to go with Horizon's plot. Really, the scenery in the game helps visualize this story so much, and the narrative is well written. I very much enjoyed the polar opposites of the characters that are the grandfather and his grandsons, as well as the manner of expressing themselves. I think Jack London did an excellent job and I recommend it to anyone interested in a rather short (2 or so hours) but engrossing read/listen.
And I do not regret the time spent. The story's amazing. I love the concept of mankind reverting back to the primitive hunter-gatherer society after the modern society collapses, and as I'm an avid fan of Horizon Zero Dawn (the post-apocalyptic video game), this was like a side story to go with Horizon's plot. Really, the scenery in the game helps visualize this story so much, and the narrative is well written. I very much enjoyed the polar opposites of the characters that are the grandfather and his grandsons, as well as the manner of expressing themselves. I think Jack London did an excellent job and I recommend it to anyone interested in a rather short (2 or so hours) but engrossing read/listen.