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A review by bigteo
To Build a Fire by Jack London
adventurous
dark
reflective
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? Yes
2.75
I was initially drawn to it by several reviews that called it the pinnacle of terror, but I can't say it exactly lived up to my expectations.
The writing style exhibits the author's keen knowledge of the situation and area of which it takes place, which was a breath of fresh air.
The main character isn't particularly likeable enough for me to sympathise with his death, which is probably the point (as in, the folly of man versus the untamable hostility of nature) but it probably would've made me more sympathetic to /be/ in his situation and relate to his mistakes. I would've therefore been more scared if I could imagine myself in his position, but I simply couldn't because I was too busy thinking him arrogant. That being said, I don't think this story is really meant to be scary. It reads more of a cautionary tale of human ignorance and loss of instinct (of which the dog in the story possesses) rather than my expectations of an explicit account of the effects of hypothermia.
Tldr; I think it's a nice short story with a clear point to it and simple plot, but I don't think it will stick with me at all.
The writing style exhibits the author's keen knowledge of the situation and area of which it takes place, which was a breath of fresh air.
The main character isn't particularly likeable enough for me to sympathise with his death, which is probably the point (as in, the folly of man versus the untamable hostility of nature) but it probably would've made me more sympathetic to /be/ in his situation and relate to his mistakes. I would've therefore been more scared if I could imagine myself in his position, but I simply couldn't because I was too busy thinking him arrogant. That being said, I don't think this story is really meant to be scary. It reads more of a cautionary tale of human ignorance and loss of instinct (of which the dog in the story possesses) rather than my expectations of an explicit account of the effects of hypothermia.
Tldr; I think it's a nice short story with a clear point to it and simple plot, but I don't think it will stick with me at all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal cruelty