A review of 'Call of the Wild & White Fang' by Jack London
Note: The following review was originally published at Amazon.co.uk on 17th. September 2015.
Link to original review: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R2ITBNC2AMJ7E?ref=pf_ov_at_pdctrvw_srp
These stories are among my favourites. Both are very affecting, and relate the tale of working dogs in the harsh northern environment.
'The Call of the Wild' is the story of 'Buck', a tidewater dog, against the background of the second great gold rush of the 19th. century. It's a deeply moving story about the relationship between 'Buck' and his kindly owner, 'John Thornton' and is a tribute to the special relationship between Man and Dog. If you are a dog owner yourself, you will be especially touched by this.
'Buck' is torn between 'the call of the wild' and the warmth of the fire and his owner, 'John Thornton'. Most of the story is taken up by a sled journey across the Yukon to a promising area for prospectors. During this journey, 'Buck' begins to feel the pull of his wild instincts in conflict with his loyalty to 'Thornton'. In the end, the conflict is resolved in dramatic and tragic fashion.
'The Call of the Wild' is quite a short story, whereas 'White Fang' is a full-length novel. 'White Fang', the eponymous character, is a wolf born into harsh, wild circumstances, who learns to survive by the Natural Law, killing and eating lest he suffer the same Fate. We learn of 'White Fang's' conflicts with other animals before he comes into contact with Man. In time, 'White Fang' earns the sympathy of a prospector called 'Weedon Scott', who takes him in and gradually tames him.
Both these stories will be enjoyed by dog lovers. I was surprised by my own response to 'White Fang' in that, although it's a terrific story, I didn't consider the taming of the wolf to be a happy outcome.
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