thebodybuildingbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
A story filled with heartbreak and triumph, of survival and love. Many times difficult to read in it’s honest portrayal of the cruelty of man but also the cruelty of the wild and yet beautiful in that same portrayal of the kindness of humans, the kindness between man and his best friend.
I can’t believe it took me 32 years to read this story but I’m very glad I did. It broke my heart but opened it as well and gave me what could probably be one of the most honest tellings of the basic instincts of an animal that a human can seem to understand. At the end of the day, for Buck to fully embrace who he truly was, the heartbreak was necessary despite being difficult to read.
I can’t believe it took me 32 years to read this story but I’m very glad I did. It broke my heart but opened it as well and gave me what could probably be one of the most honest tellings of the basic instincts of an animal that a human can seem to understand. At the end of the day, for Buck to fully embrace who he truly was, the heartbreak was necessary despite being difficult to read.
jackwwang's review against another edition
3.0
My dad always liked this book, and I don't think I got much out of it reading it in high school. Second time around was a better experience.
London's prose harkens back to the 19th century world of ornate literature. I looked up way more words in this book than any novella of comparable length. As a fan of Hemingway I would normally be turned off from such ostentation, but here it stylistically works, and one forgives the excess decoration for the nosltagically charming sense of a more poetic past it creates.
The ideas behind the novel are also quaintly simplistic and nolstagic. London deals in themes of darwinism, purity of nature, bringing along in full force the romanticization of nature from London's transcendentalist peers. The ennoblizing of the idea of the natural, the wild, the strong are cute as it is applied to a dog here, but with a little reflection I realized they bear a distrubing similarity to Nietsche's ubermensch and any of Ayn Rand's protagonists. One then would realize that these connections are not just innocent, it was the same strain of thought that drove the social darwinsm which around the time of this book's publication drove experiments in eugenic sterilizations, and justified oppression and mistreatment of out-groups.
Read with caution, enjoy the prose, but beware the lurking insidiousness.
London's prose harkens back to the 19th century world of ornate literature. I looked up way more words in this book than any novella of comparable length. As a fan of Hemingway I would normally be turned off from such ostentation, but here it stylistically works, and one forgives the excess decoration for the nosltagically charming sense of a more poetic past it creates.
The ideas behind the novel are also quaintly simplistic and nolstagic. London deals in themes of darwinism, purity of nature, bringing along in full force the romanticization of nature from London's transcendentalist peers. The ennoblizing of the idea of the natural, the wild, the strong are cute as it is applied to a dog here, but with a little reflection I realized they bear a distrubing similarity to Nietsche's ubermensch and any of Ayn Rand's protagonists. One then would realize that these connections are not just innocent, it was the same strain of thought that drove the social darwinsm which around the time of this book's publication drove experiments in eugenic sterilizations, and justified oppression and mistreatment of out-groups.
Read with caution, enjoy the prose, but beware the lurking insidiousness.
miel_reading's review against another edition
5.0
** The classics never get too old and this is the second best book I've read this year **
(I will write the review in romanian and english)
**ROMANIAN**
✍︎Nu as vrea sa incep sa relatez micul roman, astfel iata un sumar plin de senzatii. Romanul e unul dintre cele mai frumoase descrieri a lumii cainesti si a largului salbaticiei. Jack London foloseste nici prea putine, nici prea multe cuvinte pentru a face asta. Am gasit o doza perfecta de naratiune si descriere in aceasta carte. "Chemarea strabunilor" devine treptat un roman de la persoana observatorului la persoana care simte si traieste impreuna cu protagonistul, care e un caine, Buck. Aflandu-se intr-un moment din viata lui cand salbaticia devine tot de ce are nevoie el. Fiind un caine nascut si crescut intr-un camin omenesc, avand tot de ce are nevoi, dupa un incident, viata lui sufera o intorsatura de decor si spatiu, urmarind astfel lupta lui pentru supravietuire. Necesitatea de adaptare p/u a supravietui salbaticiei- Priveste, Invata, Adopta !; Salbaticia isi are partile sale dure, dar si frumusetea sa, perpetuata prin secole de stramosii canini. Toata aceasta supravietuire aici vine cu pretul de a-ti pierde moralul si firea, de a uita cine ai fost si de a deveni un nou tu. Lupta pentru suprematie si integritate printre neamul cainesc e molipsitoare si uneori distruge solidaritatea grupului, haitei, echipei. Insa lipsa disciplinei si a fricii de lider afecteaza relatiile intre camarazi, aparandu-se unii de altii si fiecare impunandu-si puterea. Salbaticia si libertatea cu care merge mana la mana nasc, starnesc instincte encenstrale, propulsate de energia si bucuria de a omori ceva viu. Buck era carne vie si forta de tractiune, castigul, trofeul sau era felia de peste dupa 200 de mile zilnic si 48 ore de odihna dupa 1200 mile facute. Asta nu e castig, asta e garantia ca Buck sa poata trage sania in continuare si satisface nevoilor omului. Cainii se duceau treptat, unul dupa altul. Insa moartea nu opreste omul din a-si indeplini scopul. Astfel, dupa un uragan de suferinte si osteneala, Buck intalneste adevarata iubire pura, pasionala. Un om pe nume John Thornton care ii salveaza viata si care ii arata lui Buck ca pentru a fi iubit si ingrijit, nu trebuie sa dai dovada de credinta in palma stapanului, in legea batei si a coltilor. John il iubea pe Buck ca pe un copil carui trebuie sa-i acorzi atentie, iubire, grija, joaca, hrana, dar si libertate. Buck devenise foarte atasat de John, ii era frica sa nu il piarda sau sa fie luat din nou de la stapan. Calatoreau mereu impreuna: prin paduri, lacuri inghetate, locuri nemaivazute. Insa Buck simtea chemarea care il striga. Chemarea strabunilor, urletul lupilor la lumina lunii. Stia ca nu va fi fericit daca nu alerga dupa chemare. Nu ar fi fost el. E ceea ce ne face vii ceea ce ne face sa fim una cu salbaticia, sangele strabunilor, chemarea strabunilor.
**ENGLISH**
I wouldn't want to start recounting the little novel, so here is a summary full of sensations. The novel is one of the most beautiful descriptions of the canine world and the wide wilderness. Jack London uses neither too few nor too many words to do this. I found a perfect dose of narration and description in this book. "The Calling of the Ancestors" gradually becomes a novel from the person of the observer to the person who feels and lives together with the protagonist, who is a dog, Buck. Being at a moment in his life when the wilderness becomes all he needs. Being a dog born and raised in a human home, having everything he needs, after an incident, his life suffers a turn of scenery and space, thus following his struggle for survival. The need to adapt to survive in the wild - Look, Learn, Adopt!; Wilderness has its harsh parts, but also its beauty, perpetuated through centuries by the canine ancestors. All this survival here comes with the price of losing your morale and nature, of forgetting who you were and becoming a new you. The fight for supremacy and integrity among the canine race is contagious and sometimes destroys the solidarity of the group, the pack, the team. But the lack of discipline and fear of the leader affects the relations between the comrades, defending each other and each imposing their power. The wildness and freedom that go hand in hand give birth to, arouse instinctual instincts, propelled by energy and the joy of killing something alive. Buck was living meat and traction force, his win, his trophy was the slice of fish after 200 miles daily and 48 hours of rest after 1200 miles done. This is not a gain, this is the guarantee that Buck can continue to pull the sled and satisfy the needs of man. The dogs went gradually, one after the other. But death does not stop man from fulfilling his purpose. Thus, after a hurricane of suffering and toil, Buck meets true pure, passionate love. A man named John Thornton who saves his life and who shows Buck that in order to be loved and cared for, you don't have to show your faith in the master's palm, in the law of the stick and tusks. John loved Buck like a child who needs attention, love, care, play, food, but also freedom. Buck had become very attached to John, he was afraid of losing him or being taken from his master again. They always traveled together: through forests, frozen lakes, unseen places. But Buck felt the call calling him. The call of the ancestors, the howling of wolves in the moonlight. He knew he wouldn't be happy if he didn't run after the call. It wouldn't have been him. It is what makes us alive, what does not make us one with the wild, the blood of the ancestors, the call of the ancestors.
(I will write the review in romanian and english)
**ROMANIAN**
✍︎Nu as vrea sa incep sa relatez micul roman, astfel iata un sumar plin de senzatii. Romanul e unul dintre cele mai frumoase descrieri a lumii cainesti si a largului salbaticiei. Jack London foloseste nici prea putine, nici prea multe cuvinte pentru a face asta. Am gasit o doza perfecta de naratiune si descriere in aceasta carte. "Chemarea strabunilor" devine treptat un roman de la persoana observatorului la persoana care simte si traieste impreuna cu protagonistul, care e un caine, Buck. Aflandu-se intr-un moment din viata lui cand salbaticia devine tot de ce are nevoie el. Fiind un caine nascut si crescut intr-un camin omenesc, avand tot de ce are nevoi, dupa un incident, viata lui sufera o intorsatura de decor si spatiu, urmarind astfel lupta lui pentru supravietuire. Necesitatea de adaptare p/u a supravietui salbaticiei- Priveste, Invata, Adopta !; Salbaticia isi are partile sale dure, dar si frumusetea sa, perpetuata prin secole de stramosii canini. Toata aceasta supravietuire aici vine cu pretul de a-ti pierde moralul si firea, de a uita cine ai fost si de a deveni un nou tu. Lupta pentru suprematie si integritate printre neamul cainesc e molipsitoare si uneori distruge solidaritatea grupului, haitei, echipei. Insa lipsa disciplinei si a fricii de lider afecteaza relatiile intre camarazi, aparandu-se unii de altii si fiecare impunandu-si puterea. Salbaticia si libertatea cu care merge mana la mana nasc, starnesc instincte encenstrale, propulsate de energia si bucuria de a omori ceva viu. Buck era carne vie si forta de tractiune, castigul, trofeul sau era felia de peste dupa 200 de mile zilnic si 48 ore de odihna dupa 1200 mile facute. Asta nu e castig, asta e garantia ca Buck sa poata trage sania in continuare si satisface nevoilor omului. Cainii se duceau treptat, unul dupa altul. Insa moartea nu opreste omul din a-si indeplini scopul. Astfel, dupa un uragan de suferinte si osteneala, Buck intalneste adevarata iubire pura, pasionala. Un om pe nume John Thornton care ii salveaza viata si care ii arata lui Buck ca pentru a fi iubit si ingrijit, nu trebuie sa dai dovada de credinta in palma stapanului, in legea batei si a coltilor. John il iubea pe Buck ca pe un copil carui trebuie sa-i acorzi atentie, iubire, grija, joaca, hrana, dar si libertate. Buck devenise foarte atasat de John, ii era frica sa nu il piarda sau sa fie luat din nou de la stapan. Calatoreau mereu impreuna: prin paduri, lacuri inghetate, locuri nemaivazute. Insa Buck simtea chemarea care il striga. Chemarea strabunilor, urletul lupilor la lumina lunii. Stia ca nu va fi fericit daca nu alerga dupa chemare. Nu ar fi fost el. E ceea ce ne face vii ceea ce ne face sa fim una cu salbaticia, sangele strabunilor, chemarea strabunilor.
**ENGLISH**
I wouldn't want to start recounting the little novel, so here is a summary full of sensations. The novel is one of the most beautiful descriptions of the canine world and the wide wilderness. Jack London uses neither too few nor too many words to do this. I found a perfect dose of narration and description in this book. "The Calling of the Ancestors" gradually becomes a novel from the person of the observer to the person who feels and lives together with the protagonist, who is a dog, Buck. Being at a moment in his life when the wilderness becomes all he needs. Being a dog born and raised in a human home, having everything he needs, after an incident, his life suffers a turn of scenery and space, thus following his struggle for survival. The need to adapt to survive in the wild - Look, Learn, Adopt!; Wilderness has its harsh parts, but also its beauty, perpetuated through centuries by the canine ancestors. All this survival here comes with the price of losing your morale and nature, of forgetting who you were and becoming a new you. The fight for supremacy and integrity among the canine race is contagious and sometimes destroys the solidarity of the group, the pack, the team. But the lack of discipline and fear of the leader affects the relations between the comrades, defending each other and each imposing their power. The wildness and freedom that go hand in hand give birth to, arouse instinctual instincts, propelled by energy and the joy of killing something alive. Buck was living meat and traction force, his win, his trophy was the slice of fish after 200 miles daily and 48 hours of rest after 1200 miles done. This is not a gain, this is the guarantee that Buck can continue to pull the sled and satisfy the needs of man. The dogs went gradually, one after the other. But death does not stop man from fulfilling his purpose. Thus, after a hurricane of suffering and toil, Buck meets true pure, passionate love. A man named John Thornton who saves his life and who shows Buck that in order to be loved and cared for, you don't have to show your faith in the master's palm, in the law of the stick and tusks. John loved Buck like a child who needs attention, love, care, play, food, but also freedom. Buck had become very attached to John, he was afraid of losing him or being taken from his master again. They always traveled together: through forests, frozen lakes, unseen places. But Buck felt the call calling him. The call of the ancestors, the howling of wolves in the moonlight. He knew he wouldn't be happy if he didn't run after the call. It wouldn't have been him. It is what makes us alive, what does not make us one with the wild, the blood of the ancestors, the call of the ancestors.
aotora's review against another edition
5.0
I remember reading this as a teen, so when I found the audiobook online I decided to give it a listen because it's a short but sweet story, and it doesn't matter how old I am I always love this classic because it's full of adventure, action and the ending always makes me sad.
letterbetty's review against another edition
3.0
Would have been four stars but then I got to the ending
cosybean's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
deetimes20's review against another edition
5.0
I actually really loved this book. It was more than just about a dog, but the struggle between civilized ways and, well, the Call of the Wild. When you can connect so well to any character, and have true emotions from given circumstances, the author you know has done their job greatly. Jack London is one of my favourite authors.
trentl14's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stepherin713's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, I get it.
Honestly, this book is so full of animal suffering and the horror of what humanity does to its lessers in this world that it made me violently dislike anyone who “longs for” the simplicity described here.
Honestly, this book is so full of animal suffering and the horror of what humanity does to its lessers in this world that it made me violently dislike anyone who “longs for” the simplicity described here.