The Sea-Wolf: 100th Anniversary Collection

Jack London (1871-1916) lived a short and adventurous life. An oyster pirate, prospector in the Alaska Gold Rush, hobo and many other occupations. London was an autodidact who became the most famous author in the world. His short stories and novels have earned him literary immortality. The Sea-Wolf was published in 1904. This edition is part of the 100th Anniversary reprint of London's works using the type, book covers and illustrations which were used in the first edition. This book was a delight to read! The story: Humphrey Van Weyden is a 36 year old effete gentleman whose boat sinks in San Francisco bay. He is picked up by sailors on the seal ship The Ghost. The captain is the enigmatic and cruel Wolf Larsen. Larsen is a Dane who loves to read literature and argue philosophy. He turns Van Weyden into an officer on the ship. Many pages are filled with fights among the sailors and seal shooters on the ship. The crew of over 20 hate and fear Larson. One day a woman is rescued when her ship crashes and she lands on The Ghost. Her name is Maude Brewster. She and Van Weyden escape in a seal boat to Endeavor Island. On this island they live for several months learning to survive. Both Maude and Humphrey are authors and they soon fall in love. The Ghost sailors mutiny against Larson. The evil captain lands on Endeavor Island dying of a brain disease. He is blind but still tries to kill Humphrey and Maude. They eventually survive as Larson dies in agony. The book reflects London's view of Nature as raw and savage where only the strong survive. The book sees the evolution of Van Weyden from a weak intellectual to a man of strength, ingenuity and bravery. An excellent and exciting tail. Well recommended!

I know that this is considered a classic, but what a depressing slog. I brought it along on a trip to a remote tropical island thinking it would be an enjoyable adventure about the sea and sailing, etc., but I couldn't finish it. The whole thing is about a hideous captain who brutalizes everyone around him and who fascinates the protagonist, who is also treated horribly. After about half way through I hated him and didn't want to read any more scenes of him physically and psychologically torturing everyone. Apparently we're supposed to be intrigued by him, but I was just repulsed and left the book on the shelf at the rental house. Wish I never even started it.

It was a great read.

A big Jack London fan so it was a fun read.

My favorite book of all time ever! Just wish they could make a decent movie of it!

Thank you

Bought as a gift

Was a gift and they were pleased.

Im Rahmen der "Jack London 100th Anniversary Collection" erschien "The Seawolf" als Softcoverausgabe. Dieses Buch enthält, wie die anderen Romane Jack Londons, die in dieser Edition erschienen sind, Wiedergaben der Originalillustrationen, sowie eine Covergestaltung, die weitgehend der der Erstausgabe entspricht.Zum literarischen Inhalt muss man nichts sagen, aber die schön gemachten Bücher mit den ungekürzten Originaltexten sind zu diesem fairen Preis eine glatte Empfehlung.

classic book that has everything: romance, adventure, growth of caracter and existential philosphy