Fun reads Friday: Call of the Wild

Have you ever read a book and then seen the movie? The latter usually disappoints me, but it’s fun to compare the two. Since another version of The Call of the Wild is coming to theaters in February, I decided to read Jack London’s classic novel.

Despite the older prose and writing style, Call of the Wild threw me into the heart of Buck, a dog whose life of ease is erased when he is stolen. Sold to become a sled dog, death often dangles over Buck. Blizzards rage, wolves circle, food runs out, ice breaks, and amidst the dangers—Buck must survive different owners, abusive and kind.

From 1896-1899 the Klondike goldrush enticed the best and worse of men to seek their fortune or meet their death in the frozen, unforgiving Yukon of Canada. Jack London joined the 100,000 prospectors and, like most, he returned empty handed. Instead, London made his fortune by sharing his experiences through magazine stories and novels.

Call of the Wild was first published in 1903 as a series of stories in the popular Saturday Evening Post. Not only was it successful, but the story shocked readers. I understand. Halfway through the book, I was unsure if I wanted to continue because of the brutality. I cringed and continued only because I had to find out what happened to Buck.

The plot, which vividly portrays life and survival in the wild, kept me turning the pages. The heavier language bogs down in places, but images also swirl. For example: They went across divides in summer blizzards, shivered under the midnight sun on naked mountains between the timber line and the eternal snows, dropped into summer valleys amid swarming gnats and flies, and in the shadows of glaciers picked strawberries and glowers as ripe and fair as any the Southland could boast…And through another winter they wandered the obliterated trails of men who had gone before.

There are reasons, Call of the Wild is a classic. London pushes the reader into the minds and personalities of both humans and dogs. Both men and canines span the spectrum from mean selfishness to kind and sacrificial characteristics. As London develops Buck’s character, he borders on Darwinism, but in the context of and setting of his novel, it was the strongest who survived. For me, a good novel includes a strong character arch of transformation and change. Buck begins as a stately, respectable dog and ends as a near-savage hero.

Kudos to Jack London for grappling with the indescribable.

Drop a comment if you’ve read the Call of the Wild or if you go to the movie! (By the way, it features one of my favorite actors, Harrison Ford.) Each month a book is given away to a person who leaves a comment. It could be you!

Blessings! Gretchen

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