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Summary
Author Notes
One of the pioneers of 20th century American literature, Jack London specialized in tales of adventure inspired by his own experiences.
London was born in San Francisco in 1876. At 14, he quit school and became an "oyster pirate," robbing oyster beds to sell his booty to the bars and restaurants in Oakland. Later, he turned on his pirate associates and joined the local Fish Patrol, resulting in some hair-raising waterfront battles. Other youthful activities included sailing on a seal-hunting ship, traveling the United States as a railroad tramp, a jail term for vagrancy and a hazardous winter in the Klondike during the 1897 gold rush. Those experiences converted him to socialism, as he educated himself through prolific reading and began to write fiction.
After a struggling apprenticeship, London hit literary paydirt by combining memories of his adventures with Darwinian and Spencerian evolutionary theory, the Nietzchean concept of the "superman" and a Kipling-influenced narrative style. "The Son of the Wolf"(1900) was his first popular success, followed by 'The Call of the Wild" (1903), "The Sea-Wolf" (1904) and "White Fang" (1906). He also wrote nonfiction, including reportage of the Russo-Japanese War and Mexican revolution, as well as "The Cruise of the Snark" (1911), an account of an eventful South Pacific sea voyage with his wife, Charmian, and a rather motley crew.
London's body broke down prematurely from his rugged lifestyle and hard drinking, and he died of uremic poisoning - possibly helped along by a morphine overdose - at his California ranch in 1916. Though his massive output is uneven, his best works - particularly "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang" - have endured because of their rich subject matter and vigorous prose.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 8 Up-Humphrey Van Weyden is a literary critic who, due to his large inheritance, has never had to work a day in his life. During a routine voyage, his ship is sunk and he is rescued by a vessel called Ghost, where he is forced into service by the ship's terrifying captain, Wolf Larsen. Throughout the course of his time aboard Ghost, the protagonist is challenged to grow physically and mentally. At the outset, Larsen appears to be nothing more than a frightening and unpredictable ship captain. Van Weyden soon learns that the man is an autodidact, who enjoys partaking in philosophical arguments and solving complex problems. Unfortunately, Larsen's cruel and abusive nature dominates his behavior, thus leading to death and destruction. This graphic novelization of London's classic makes it accessible to low-level and reluctant readers. The illustrations are drawn so as to emphasize the wild passion and tense tone of Van Weyden's various interactions and observations while on the vessel. Similar in style to popular superhero comics, the book's chapters are each assigned a monochromatic color theme, which greatly enhances the work's mood. For example, the chapter in which Larsen attempts to assault a young woman and Van Weyden intervenes is depicted in red tones emphasizing the tension, violence, and approaching climax. The detailed images give readers a clear understanding of the basic themes and storyline so that they may better focus their attention on comprehending the dialogue. This title would be an excellent addition to any library or classroom.-Annalise Ammer, City of Rochester Public Libraries, NY (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Humphrey van Weyden, an educated but soft man, finds himself lost at sea when his ship sinks. He is saved by Captain Wolf Larsen and his ship, the Ghost, but Humphrey soon discovers that he, like the rest of the crew, is held prisoner and subject to the captain's maddening fury. Larsen and van Weyden soon bond over philosophy and literature, but as the crew becomes mutinous, Humphrey must summon the strength to best Larsen and escape his purgatory. Reb's' stark and oblong depictions of the crew perfectly mirror the depravity and insanity of London's original story in this eleventh entry in the Classics Illustrated Deluxe series. Characters are often drawn eerily hunched with pupil-less eyes, dramatically showing the primal madness that lurks in the hearts of man. Although each chapter is tinted with only one color, it superbly highlights the sleek inking, grotesque facial expressions, and menacing atmosphere. Graphic adaptations of novels can often be hit or miss this is a definite hit.--Blenski, Peter Copyright 2014 Booklist
Library Journal Review
A legendary patriarch of American genre fiction, London (1876-1916) wove emotion and adventure into a wildly popular combo that flowers today throughout all media. The book's hero, effete gentleman--journalist Humphrey Van Weyden, must survive not just the amoral Pacific Ocean but its titular wolf: Wolf Larsen, the brilliant but "unmoral" captain of seal--hunting schooner The Ghost. First rescued by Larsen and then forced onto his crew, Van Weyden confronts philosophical debates, crew unrest, treacherous weather, and a beautiful castaway who's also a writer. While some other literary graphic adaptations modify the original, Reb's gets inside London's vision with detailed, period-inspired inks enhanced by varying monochrome. The artist's light/dark palette creates thrillingly dangerous ocean vistas. Moreover, the hypercivilized Van Weyden and the sonuvabitch Larsen come across as complex, asymptotic characters, each worthy of both scorn and admiration throughout their unlikely mentor/apprentice relationship. VERDICT This fine adaptation will make excellent fodder for book clubs as well as for armchair sailors owing to the complexity of the characters, their dilemmas, and their choices. With brutality and some oblique sexual content, this title is for teens and adults.-M.C. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.