Jack London, celebrated for his adventure tales, also ventured into science fiction and fantasy, showcasing his diverse literary talent. This collection compiles his science fiction and fantasy novels and shorter works, presenting them together for the first time. Readers can explore the imaginative realms crafted by London, revealing another facet of his storytelling prowess.
Jack London wrote as vividly about rugged adventurers grappling with forces of nature as he did about solitary individuals coming to terms with their ideals and ambitions. This volume collects six unforgettable novels - The Call of the Wild, The Sea-Wolf, White Fang, Martin Eden, The Valley of the Moon, and The Star Rover - in which London explores the ideas and emotions that dramatically shape human behavior. Jack London's tales betray a mythic imagination, infused with flashes of idealism. The novels in this literary omnibus abound with power and grace and with the high drama and intellectual depth that were the hallmarks of his writing. Jack London: Six Novels is part of Barnes & Noble's Library of Essential Writers. Each title in the series presents the finest works - complete and unabridged - from one of the greatest writers in literature in magnificent, elegantly designed hard-back editions. Every volume also includes an original introduction that provides the reader with enlightening information on the writer's life and works.
The semiautobiographical Martin Eden is the most vital and original character Jack London ever created. Set in San Francisco, this is the story of Martin Eden, an impoverished seaman who pursues, obsessively and aggressively, dreams of education and literary fame. London, dissatisfied with the rewards of his own success, intended Martin Eden as an attack on individualism and a criticism of ambition; however, much of its status as a classic has been conferred by admirers of its ambitious protagonist. Andrew Sinclair's wide-ranging introduction discusses the conflict between London's support of socialism and his powerful self-will. Sinclair also explores the parallels and divergences between the life of Martin Eden and that of his creator, focusing on London's mental depressions and how they affected his depiction of Eden. (back cover)
"The Star Rover" is the story of San Quentin death-row inmate Darrell Standing, who escapes the horror of prison life--and long stretches in a straitjacket--by withdrawing into vivid dreams of past lives, including incarnations as a French nobleman and an Englishman in medieval Korea. Based on the life and imprisonment of Jack London's friend Ed Morrell, this is one of the author's most complex and original works. As Lorenzo Carcaterra argues in his Introduction, "The Star Rover" is "written with energy and force, brilliantly marching between the netherworlds of brutality and beauty." This Modern Library Paperback Classic is set from the text of the first American edition, published in 1915.
Set in the harsh winter of the Klondike, the story explores the struggle between man and nature through a man's ill-fated journey in extreme cold. Ignoring warnings, he embarks on a perilous trek, confident in his abilities despite the evident dangers. His dog, instinctively aware of the risks, contrasts with the man's stubborn belief in his own infallibility. Jack London's narrative vividly illustrates the futility of human arrogance when faced with the overwhelming power of the natural world.
"Stories of hardship amid the wilderness and on the open sea typify the works of Jack London. This inexpensive, single-volume edition features three complete novels by the adventure writer -- The Call of the Wild, White Fang, and The Sea Wolf -- in addition to selected essays and short Klondike tales"--
Retells the adventures in the northern wilderness of a dog who is part wolf and how he comes to make his peace with man.
The classic tale of a dog who is part wolf as he eventually makes his peace with man in the wilderness of Northern Canada.
One of America's finest authors, Jack London is popular worldwide for his extraordinary range of writings. His remarkable success as a short story writer came at a critical time when American literary history was slowly heading towards oblivion. This voluminous collection of London's short stories exemplify ultimately the traditional American values in a naturalistic style. Generally, his tales transport the readers to the exotic isles of the pacific, the voluptuous valleys of California,and the wildness of the high seas. The awe inspiring spirit of adventure that one could find in his stories are reflection of his own personal experiences.
Jack London is renowned for his beloved outdoor tales in novels like "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang," inspired by his experiences as a seaman and prospector in the harsh environments of Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush.