Rating: Summary: What a great book. Review: Somehow I missed this one as a kid. Maybe it was the concept -- a dog that is kidnapped and goes on adventures in the Klondike gold rush. I mean, what's to say, right? A story for 12-year-old boys maybe, and even then, probably something I'd fidget through once I was past 12. My mistake. On a recent Saturday afternoon, I picked this one up off the shelf, where it had been gathering dust for years. It took me a second to figure out that Buck, the protagonist, was a dog, but once oriented, I was hooked and couldn't put it down until I was finished. At one level, it's a dog story, reminiscent in its own way of "Black Beauty," who also goes through a range of owners, good and bad, and experiences the vicissitudes of an animal's life. At another level, it's an adventure story -- and there are some adventures, cliff-hangers, elements of suspense and even a little humor packed into a relatively small number of pages. It's also remarkable story-telling and a very lean prose style that, like Hemingway, carries you along. It's a story about a dog, for crying out loud, yet you care about what happens to Buck throughout. In some respects, though, I can see why kids might not like the book. The concept ("It's a dog story.") may be off-putting, the story can be violent in places, and some might ask: "What's the point?" (My 14-year-old declined my recommendation to read it, probably the same way I did many years ago.) All told though, I'm glad I came to this one later rather than sooner. I'm even intrigued enough to consider some other Jack London.
Rating: Summary: Not the best classic Review: Even though this novel is a classic, and deserves that title, it is clearly directed to dog-lovers. In truth, the main character, Buck, is beaten, and gets beaten stupidly, if you will. Only a true dog-lover would feel sorry for his follies.The other bad point is that, when the main character is an animal, he can't talk, and the narrator has to say what he/she is thinking. With no dialogue in this novel, aside from owners fighting, this book has little substance. The ending is very ironic. He goes from a nice dog, to a vicious sled dog, and then finds his "true owner," but faces other trials which question his return to being pleasant. This book is now a required read by most of the states, so it is recommended, but be prepared for a novel with little substance.
Rating: Summary: The Worst Book I Have Ever Read Review: My eighth grade teacher forced us to read this book, and I will never forgive her for making us read it. It was undoubtedly the worst book I have ever read in my life. It is terribly boring, and the story is just... STUPID!! The whole book is depressing, as this dog, Buck, gets beat by his different owners. The ending is horribly stupid. The whole plot is poorly put together. If I were you, I would never purchase this book, because you would just be wasting your time reading it. It is definitely hard to get into, and once you're finished, you don't feel satisfied at all. Jack London is probably the poorest writer I have ever experienced in my whole life. I do, however, suggest the book, "The Pearl," because that is a well-written masterpiece by John Steinbeck.
Rating: Summary: An ok book Review: The Call of the Wild is written by Jack London, I give this book a 3 star ratting. I thought there were some very interesting parts in the book; there was very good actions scenes and interesting thoughts told by the dog in this book. Now if I would stop there I would have gave it a 5 star rating but reading a book in the perspective of a dog gets kind off track and a little boring, but since there was some exciting parts in it I gave it a 3 star rating out of 5 stars. This book is about a dog named Buck who lives in the Santa Clara Valley in the beautiful state of California during a gold rush in 1897. He moves to Canada were he is kidnapped by his master's gardener and put on a train car. He then becomes a sled dog used during the gold rush. He is then treated harshly by his master and is beaten up many times and also beaten up by the other sled dogs he stays with. He struggles at first, but after he sees his good friend killed by the other dogs in the wild he realizes he must be able to fight back to survive. He then relies on the call of the wild to survive and stay alive and become the lead dog on the sled dog team. I recommend this book for kids at least 10 or older because it can be hard to understand from a dog's point of few sometimes.
Rating: Summary: The Call Of The Wild Review: This book told the story of a dog named Buck who went through many homes. When Buck finnally gets to a place to stay for good, he is whipped and abbused and is forced to be a sled dog. it takes him a while to get used to the harshness of his new life. When he sees one of his friends killed by the other dogs on the team, the reality sets in. After a while Buck adapts and becomes the tough lead dog. He overcomes many obstacles to become the lead dog. I really liked this book because it teaches you that no matter what you do, you should never give up.
Rating: Summary: Good storyline, but very boring along the way... Review: I had to read this a part of my English class. It is a good story, and Jack London did a good job of writing it. However, this is the type of book that I will sit and read and slowly my mind drifts off and I start thinking of other things. It's very hard to keep your mind in the story, because the words go into such great details that it's hard to grasp all at once. Jack London's intentions were good. The storyline is very basic and easy to follow, however. It's a light hearted story about a dog Buck and his struggles in life. It makes you wonder how dogs really think. But honestly, I give this story a 2 because it just wasn't what I look for in a book. It's more old fashioned in a way. Maybe I'll have to give it another chance.
Rating: Summary: Amazing! Review: I have read the abridged version of this book and I love it! London describes the life of a husky dog who is stolen from his comfortable home with a rich man only to be taken to a life of great hardship and unlimited determination. Buck (the husky) learns the life in the wild and sees many unexplanable things. He remembers his wolf ancestors. He then answers the call of the wild and becomes a legend. A brilliant story by an amazing author.
Rating: Summary: It's really great! Review: Call of the Wild is a book of adventure. Buck, a dog, is snached from his home and made to survive in the wilderness af Alaska as a sled dog. In this book courage and the will to survive is clearly shown. I think you should read this book if you like adventure. It's Fabulous!
Rating: Summary: A classic to be cherished Review: Is it possible to dramatically change your character, who you are fundamentally, in order to adapt to your environment? This is the profound question that Jack London explores in this timeless classic. Buck, a dog accustomed to an easy life as the pet of a well-to-do family, is kidnapped and forced to work as a sled dog during the Klondike gold rush of 1897. Facing brutal weather, harsh treatment from his masters, and fierce rivalry from the other dogs, Buck is forced to call upon the instincts of his ancestor, the wild wolf, in order to survive in these hostile conditions. Filled with raw, powerful prose , intense action, and beautifully drawn protagonists, this novel is as much a profound statement about character as it is an edge-of-your-seat adventure. London unflinchingly traces Buck's transformation from loveable pet to fierce, rugged animal, but never let's the reader forget the tenderness and compassion that will always be at the core of this character. And in the end, Buck struggles with the most fundamental of dilemmas - mustering the courage to accept his true nature and to acknowledge who he has become. This is a book about life's journey, about living bravely, about playing the cards you are dealt and finding your true calling. It is a classic to be treasured.
Rating: Summary: Call of the Wild Review Review: Just Voice (Mimic one of the characters voices and have him explain what he thinks about the word choice and sentence structure as well as the character traits) Hi, I'm John Thornton, I sure hope you 'member me from the book. I'm here to tell you what I think about the book The Call of The Wild. The author, Jack London, probably chose each and every word from his heart, exactly where I keep my memories of Buck. Believe me, this book has word choice different than any other novel. In cases where he could've used words like dog over and over, he switches off between words like canine or hound. Also, that creative author, Jack, has the best sentence structure that I have seen ever since I have lived in the Dakota's. In places where no man I know can add anymore detail, that amazing man can squeeze in a couple more details. Even the best author in Oregon, Billy Bob Hilton, can't do that. He can change any ol' boring story into an action packed novel. I sure hope that Jack can make another sequel to this magnificent classic. He really made each and every one of those hounds into a strong unique canine with its own personality. He made Buck the meanest, strongest, most determined mutt in the Yukon Territory. And as for Hal and his companions, well I've seen fools just like them. Yep, if anyone asked me which story had the coolest character personalities, I'd have to say The Call of the Wild.
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