What's your opinion of Jack London?

[MichelleIsenhoff]

The Call of the Wild and White Fang are the only Jack London books I've read. I think there were a few short stories in my lit classes as well, but I grew up devouring these two books. I loved them. I think I read them every year from age about age 10 - 17 and a few times since. My sister (in her 30's) recently read an abridged version and couldn't handle it. That whole survival of the fittest thing did her in. She doesn't think they're suitable for kids, even though she knows I thrived on them.

What's your opinion? Good children's lit? Or too harsh for kids? (I think you can guess my opinion, lol.)

[Ant]

Michelle, White Fang is one of my all time favourites,and yes I would recommend it for kids.....say 11 and over.

[Maud Fitch]

Yes, I agree with the opinions stated above, approximately 12-17 years. It is usually mandatory reading in high school. I was about 13 when I first read White Fang and Call Of The Wild. They were heavy going, had parts I didn't understand, depressing bits about life, and the animal rawness put me off. I can still remember the devouring and crunching of marrow-filled bones. It had little relevance to me or my knowledge of the world and I didn't want to go there. No doubt I would fully understand the significance of it now and have a greater appreciation of the meaning behind it. However, they still remain older-style books and I would suggest assessing the child's likes and dislikes before recommending it.

(PS: I think this may be better in the Author forum).

[Sveta]

I've read Call of the Wild and White Fang, and found both of htem to be excellent novels.

[DanBR]

London's best and most revealing book in my opinion is Martin Eden. It is a semi-biographical novel about a struggling young writer, much like London himself was, who succeeds against all odds. Since Eden is not described in the novel as a very talented writer but more a persistent one, it begs the question of whether London thought the same of himself. He may have been insecure about his writing skills. I also don't see him as one of the best writers of all time, but he certainly had an impact on world literature.

[briankaufman1952]

The short stories are what caught me. I read "To Build a Fire" and "A Piece of Steak" when I was in Jr. High. Loved them both. The latter ("Steak") is one of my favorite short stories of all time.

[gali]

I have read his books in my youth and liked them. I think they suit for young adults. His writing style is a bit old fashioned, so not all will connect to it.

[Winter]

I think the only Jack London story I've ever read was To Build a Fire back when I was a kid, but it left a lasting impression on me. I think he does a great job of capturing the feel of the time and place he's writing about at that time in history.

Personally, I think Jack London is ok for older kids. I say that because I think I was 11 or 12 when I read To Build a Fire for the first time, and I was ok with it (and I was a pretty sensitive kid). It's a little disturbing, but if you've spent any time in places high up north like that, you'll know that there's a lot of truth in the his description of the harshness of that environment, and that it is nothing to be trifled with. I wouldn't call it fun reading for kids, but it's good educational reading.

[BetzyCrypt]

Jack London work is a stunner. For him, the five senses are everything! That's what makes a first person story come to life. His details on sensations, on nature easily puts him above the rest. White Fang was a masterpiece. I was obsessed with wolves when I first read it in fifth grade.

[ITnker]

I read both during my high school years. Considering what today's children are exposed to these works would be an eye opener for some. I would suggest them to children ages 11/12 or older.