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sams84's review against another edition
4.0
I was rather surprised when I first came across this as I had no idea that Jack London had written a post-apocalyptic story and that surprise continues still given how modern this story feels. It could easily have been written two years ago not a hundred and two years ago. The story is told through the reminisces of an old grandfather who is telling is grandsons how civilisation fell so many years ago and how their clans came about. It is a little slow in parts but this adds to the charm as grandfather loses his thread and his story gets lost on a tangent or two (as stories are want to do when told by those in their later years). The apocalyptic events are vividly told and bring to mind the scenes from the many modern versions that run rampant today (one wonders whether this story has had more of an influence than we realise...) from the early moments of the disease responsible to the final days of society and its ultimate downfall. We also get to glimpse into the grandfather's life as he struggles to survive and reconnect with other people, including his struggle with the how the world has changed. I would certainly recommend this for anyone who enjoys a bit of apocalyptca and for those who just enjoy a good story.
tearainread's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
neiribelin's review against another edition
5.0
Frankly, I picked this story up because it was like a six-pence on Audible and because I've read Jack London before.
And I do not regret the time spent. The story's amazing. I love the concept of mankind reverting back to the primitive hunter-gatherer society after the modern society collapses, and as I'm an avid fan of Horizon Zero Dawn (the post-apocalyptic video game), this was like a side story to go with Horizon's plot. Really, the scenery in the game helps visualize this story so much, and the narrative is well written. I very much enjoyed the polar opposites of the characters that are the grandfather and his grandsons, as well as the manner of expressing themselves. I think Jack London did an excellent job and I recommend it to anyone interested in a rather short (2 or so hours) but engrossing read/listen.
And I do not regret the time spent. The story's amazing. I love the concept of mankind reverting back to the primitive hunter-gatherer society after the modern society collapses, and as I'm an avid fan of Horizon Zero Dawn (the post-apocalyptic video game), this was like a side story to go with Horizon's plot. Really, the scenery in the game helps visualize this story so much, and the narrative is well written. I very much enjoyed the polar opposites of the characters that are the grandfather and his grandsons, as well as the manner of expressing themselves. I think Jack London did an excellent job and I recommend it to anyone interested in a rather short (2 or so hours) but engrossing read/listen.
alexcirce's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
supertenn115's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
nill's review against another edition
5.0
"İnsanoğlu uygarlık yolundaki kanlı ilerleyişine başlamadan önce, ilkelliğin karanlığına giderek daha çok batmaya mahkûmdur."
Jack London'ın derin öngörüsü ve düşünce zenginliği, hayranlık uyandırıcı bir niteliğe sahip gerçekten. Günümüz dünyasını ve kapitalizmi eleştirirken, kendi sosyalist ideallerini de yansıtmaktan geri durmuyor.
"...onlar da ebediyen devam edecek, sonu gelmez bir akış içerisinde birbiriyle itişip çekişecek o ölümsüz tipleri ortaya çıkarır: rahibi, askeri, kralı. Kimisi savaşacak, kimisi yönetecek, kimisi dua edecek: uygar devletin hayranlık veren, eşi benzeri görülmemiş harikalarının, sonu gelmemecesine, tekrar tekrar kanlı iskeletleri üzerinde yükseldiği tüm diğer insanlarsa büyük ıstıraplar içinde sürekli çalışacak."
Jack London'ın derin öngörüsü ve düşünce zenginliği, hayranlık uyandırıcı bir niteliğe sahip gerçekten. Günümüz dünyasını ve kapitalizmi eleştirirken, kendi sosyalist ideallerini de yansıtmaktan geri durmuyor.
"...onlar da ebediyen devam edecek, sonu gelmez bir akış içerisinde birbiriyle itişip çekişecek o ölümsüz tipleri ortaya çıkarır: rahibi, askeri, kralı. Kimisi savaşacak, kimisi yönetecek, kimisi dua edecek: uygar devletin hayranlık veren, eşi benzeri görülmemiş harikalarının, sonu gelmemecesine, tekrar tekrar kanlı iskeletleri üzerinde yükseldiği tüm diğer insanlarsa büyük ıstıraplar içinde sürekli çalışacak."
oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
3.0
Written in 1912, I found it fell into the trap of writing women in dystopia as ‘stuff’ to be traded. A bit heavy on the savagery of the working classes too. I was drawn in by the way London writes- it’s evocative, compelling. Maybe one to stay away from in the current situation... but i couldn’t help myself. A bleak view of things in the book world, reality perhaps is a little brighter and ultimately kinder.
maggiebook's review against another edition
3.0
The amazing aspect of the book is that it was written over 100 years ago and the author pretty much nailed what a plague in 2013 would do to the world. Told 60 years after the plague it paints a depressing but believable result.
melinha91's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.0