stacialithub's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know a lot about philosophy, so this would probably be philosophy 101 for those who do, but I enjoyed the ongoing debate about ethics throughout the book. It's quite a morbid book (just look at the title & concept), yet also fun with a bit of a joie de vivre attitude. I will give you a George R.R. Martin type warning: don't get too attached to particular characters!
The book did have a note at the end telling how far London got in writing the book, as well as showing his notes for the remainder of the story. While Fish got the transition & tone correct (I hadn't noticed when it changed from one author to another), he apparently deviated quite a bit from London's original plans for the story. I felt that the sections by Fish, including the ending, fit the story well. Hardcore London fans might be disappointed that Fish didn't more closely follow London's original plans. I guess that's up to the individual reader, but I think the story stands well as is.
I know [b:The Call of the Wild, White Fang and Other Stories|43037|The Call of the Wild, White Fang and Other Stories|Jack London|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388295742l/43037._SY75_.jpg|320876] is often assigned reading for high schoolers. It might be fun to trade it out for this lesser-known London book some of the time. There are plenty of discussion themes & ideas, as well as the conversation that can be had about the author's intent vs. having another author finish the story (differently) decades later. As I classified Poe's only novel [b:The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and Related Tales|70925|The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and Related Tales|Edgar Allan Poe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1170751037l/70925._SY75_.jpg|44929398] a 'lost' American classic, so will I classify this story as another 'lost' American classic. Worth reading.
The book did have a note at the end telling how far London got in writing the book, as well as showing his notes for the remainder of the story. While Fish got the transition & tone correct (I hadn't noticed when it changed from one author to another), he apparently deviated quite a bit from London's original plans for the story. I felt that the sections by Fish, including the ending, fit the story well. Hardcore London fans might be disappointed that Fish didn't more closely follow London's original plans. I guess that's up to the individual reader, but I think the story stands well as is.
I know [b:The Call of the Wild, White Fang and Other Stories|43037|The Call of the Wild, White Fang and Other Stories|Jack London|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388295742l/43037._SY75_.jpg|320876] is often assigned reading for high schoolers. It might be fun to trade it out for this lesser-known London book some of the time. There are plenty of discussion themes & ideas, as well as the conversation that can be had about the author's intent vs. having another author finish the story (differently) decades later. As I classified Poe's only novel [b:The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and Related Tales|70925|The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and Related Tales|Edgar Allan Poe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1170751037l/70925._SY75_.jpg|44929398] a 'lost' American classic, so will I classify this story as another 'lost' American classic. Worth reading.
leenieh's review against another edition
Horribly written with poor story progression and transparent characters.
smcleish's review
3.0
Originally published on my blog here in January 2002.
This strange novel, left uncompleted by London in 1910, was finally published just after the assassination of J.F. Kennedy, guaranteeing that it would be a sensation of its time. It is a strange, unconvincing novel which mirrors London's concerns about law, morality and violence - particularly the idea of a society which countenances violence against itself.
The Assassination Bureau undertakes murder for payment, of men that its members are convinced are not worthy of life (the corrupt are the main examples given). When the head of the bureau, Ivan Dragomiroff, is approached by a young man and asked to take out a contract on himself, he refuses, but is eventually convinced that the work of the bureau is morally wrong and that therefore by his own rules he deserves to die. A bizarre chase across America follows, as he becomes a fugitive from his own employees (while, because of his own strict morality, continuing to allow the bureau access to its money for the expenses concerned with his own murder).
The difficulty in the novel is in believing in Dragomiroff's changing his mind, and the remorselessness with which he sticks to this decision in the face of the threat to his life. His incomprehensible character makes the rest of the novel seem arbitrary as well, and London is not a good enough writer to pick up the reader's interest in other ways. Interesting, but in the end disappointing.
This strange novel, left uncompleted by London in 1910, was finally published just after the assassination of J.F. Kennedy, guaranteeing that it would be a sensation of its time. It is a strange, unconvincing novel which mirrors London's concerns about law, morality and violence - particularly the idea of a society which countenances violence against itself.
The Assassination Bureau undertakes murder for payment, of men that its members are convinced are not worthy of life (the corrupt are the main examples given). When the head of the bureau, Ivan Dragomiroff, is approached by a young man and asked to take out a contract on himself, he refuses, but is eventually convinced that the work of the bureau is morally wrong and that therefore by his own rules he deserves to die. A bizarre chase across America follows, as he becomes a fugitive from his own employees (while, because of his own strict morality, continuing to allow the bureau access to its money for the expenses concerned with his own murder).
The difficulty in the novel is in believing in Dragomiroff's changing his mind, and the remorselessness with which he sticks to this decision in the face of the threat to his life. His incomprehensible character makes the rest of the novel seem arbitrary as well, and London is not a good enough writer to pick up the reader's interest in other ways. Interesting, but in the end disappointing.
arbieroo's review
4.0
Jack London's unfinished novel, finished by another. The premise is just fabulous; the leader of a gang of assassins-for-hire is hired to have himself assassinated by his own employees...chaos ensues, along with much philosphising and humour.
The moral enigma at the centre of the story is (weirdly) reminiscent of that faced by Gawain when he has to go to the Green Chapel - and in my mind the solution is the same, too.
The tone of the novel is uniform to such an extent that I did not notice the transition from London's own work to that of the person who finished the novel. Both authors were on top form for this one, which could be said to be in the same vein as The Sea-wolf, but with tongue stuck firmly in cheek.
The moral enigma at the centre of the story is (weirdly) reminiscent of that faced by Gawain when he has to go to the Green Chapel - and in my mind the solution is the same, too.
The tone of the novel is uniform to such an extent that I did not notice the transition from London's own work to that of the person who finished the novel. Both authors were on top form for this one, which could be said to be in the same vein as The Sea-wolf, but with tongue stuck firmly in cheek.
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