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lexcraftahoy's review against another edition
4.0
Books like these make me wish there were "half-stars" available - I kept debating between 3 and 4 stars for it. The book starts out a little slow for my tastes, but it does pick up after a few chapters - and keeps one's attention. It's sad to consider how many of the concerns addressed in the packing district in terms of sanitation and worker abuses, particularly of new immigrants, are likely still issues today. However, the book does have an air of "Let's just see how much crap we can throw at these people." I do understand that this was the point - to highlight the plight of the poor working class of the early 20th century - but at the same time it is just a litany of horrible things happening to Jurgis and his family. The only way it can end on a hopeful note is by becoming a love song to socialism. All in all I feel the main critique I have is at times it tries to fit too much in one book and therefore lacks focus. That having been said, I did devour this book and do recommend it for sure.
lenorayoder's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
2.0
I like the message of the book and I’m glad it was published. It’s upsetting how much of this book is still relevant today. There are some really poignant and nicely written bits. Unfortunately, the majority of the book is a slog. There are a few parts with nice momentum where I wasn’t forcing myself to finish the chapter, but those were a small minority. This is journalism and a call to action disguised as fiction, and the layer of fiction being so thin makes it a chore to read. Glad I read it and I would recommend excerpts, but I would prefer an abridged version or a modern retelling that goes into the current horrors of the meat industry, monopolies, and exploitation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Trafficking, and Alcohol
Minor: Body horror, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
kinda_like_shaft's review against another edition
5.0
The graphic novel version was excellent- makes me want to read the full version even more now
hayesall's review against another edition
4.0
This was a reread from my 3rd year of high school. I cannot ask him, but I suspect this earned an additional ⭐⭐ over High School Alexander's opinion.
I felt a lot more confident in recognizing Upton Sinclair's allusions to events and people (especially in the last few chapters). Consider this quote that's surely aimed at Carnegie:
This also had me curious on what the story would be like if written today? Sinclair's era bred fear of the steel, railroad, and oil monopolies; and each are represented in the novel. But Sinclair's hopeful ending has some interesting thoughts:
Sinclair may have inadvertently predicted "Big Ag" and to a lesser degree "Big Tech"—which modern audiences might have some animosity towards.
I felt a lot more confident in recognizing Upton Sinclair's allusions to events and people (especially in the last few chapters). Consider this quote that's surely aimed at Carnegie:
"[T]hey really thought that it was 'Individualism' for tens of thousands of them to herd together and obey the orders of a steel magnate, and produce hundreds of millions of dollars of wealth for him, and then let him give them libraries; while for them to take the industry, and run it to suit themselves, and build their own libraries—that would have been 'Paternalism'!" [Chapter 30]
This also had me curious on what the story would be like if written today? Sinclair's era bred fear of the steel, railroad, and oil monopolies; and each are represented in the novel. But Sinclair's hopeful ending has some interesting thoughts:
"[R]ead about the new science of agriculture ...; by which ... a gardener can raise ... two hundred tons of vegetables upon a single acre .... [B]ut imagine the problem of providing the food supply of our nation once taken in hand systematically and rationally, by scientists!" [Chapter 31]
Sinclair may have inadvertently predicted "Big Ag" and to a lesser degree "Big Tech"—which modern audiences might have some animosity towards.
mawgac's review against another edition
4.0
Classic firebrand literature
as eye opening about the meat industry as it is about. pass warfare and the struggle to survive when you have nothing to start with.
as eye opening about the meat industry as it is about. pass warfare and the struggle to survive when you have nothing to start with.
chaotic_aligned_sad_girl's review against another edition
5.0
Well, now I'm sad af. I had the impression, as most do, that this book is an expose of the meat packing industry. While this is partially true and led to the creation of what would eventually become the FDA, the meat packing industry is a setting and a small mechanism of the story. At its heart, this novel is about systematic manipulation and exploitation brought about by capitalism, particularly among the newly immigrated. My heart broke chapter after chapter for Jurgis and his family.
The ending is heavy on Socialism and serves as a salvation for Jurgis. I think this is an important read as we are not so far removed Jurgis' plight even in modern times.
The ending is heavy on Socialism and serves as a salvation for Jurgis. I think this is an important read as we are not so far removed Jurgis' plight even in modern times.
kmacias87's review against another edition
5.0
Everyone kept telling me this was a book about the meat-packing district - and the horrific, grueling conditions of the meat being sold to Americans. But this book is so much more. Yes, the book does contain horrific and grueling details of the industry, but more-so of the workers and families that immigrated to America for a better life. How could America brag of this "free" world, when they were treating people like this?
There was a quote in the book that sums up pretty much what I ask myself everyday: "Philosophers have reasoned, prophets have denounced, poets have wept and pleaded—and still this hideous Monster roams at large!" How is it we've come far enough to gain knowledge and experiences through multiple generations, but still end up being the animals we are today? When will it ever be enough?
"The Jungle" upset me, it angered me. But it also brought me back out of naivety, and made me entirely grateful for the life I have now, a life I have now because of those that sacrificed their bodies and souls for it. We still have a long way to go, but I cry for those that pushed us ahead.
If you don't read this book, at least read Chapter 28. It sums up an immigrant's life in Chicago at the time and is one of the best speeches I've read in literature.
"Come home with me then, come home to Chicago."
There was a quote in the book that sums up pretty much what I ask myself everyday: "Philosophers have reasoned, prophets have denounced, poets have wept and pleaded—and still this hideous Monster roams at large!" How is it we've come far enough to gain knowledge and experiences through multiple generations, but still end up being the animals we are today? When will it ever be enough?
"The Jungle" upset me, it angered me. But it also brought me back out of naivety, and made me entirely grateful for the life I have now, a life I have now because of those that sacrificed their bodies and souls for it. We still have a long way to go, but I cry for those that pushed us ahead.
If you don't read this book, at least read Chapter 28. It sums up an immigrant's life in Chicago at the time and is one of the best speeches I've read in literature.
"Come home with me then, come home to Chicago."
digitaldeckle's review against another edition
3.0
An important text in American labor history, and definitely something that everyone should read at least once but man is it tough to read if you're used to contemporary pacing.
I also think it's important to note the antiblack against workers of what would become the Great Migration. I haven't seen too many people discuss it and I think its both a flaw of the work and a glimpse into the mindset of white vs black laborers in the early 20th century.
I also think it's important to note the antiblack against workers of what would become the Great Migration. I haven't seen too many people discuss it and I think its both a flaw of the work and a glimpse into the mindset of white vs black laborers in the early 20th century.