"Buck did not read the newspapers, or he would have known that trouble was brewing, not alone for himself, but for every tide-water dog, strong of muscle and with warm, long hair, from Puget Sound to San Diego."
And so begins Jack London's The Call of the Wild. This is a book that I did not expect to like. I'm not an animal guy in general and the fact that the book is written from the perspective of a dog (i.e. the dog is humanized), had me shaking my head in the beginning, and thinking "oh come on!" Felt like the book would be as deep as a Disney cartoon.
Yet, soon I found myself totally mesmerized by the story and the idea of the dog as a kind of hero that faces challenges and overcomes them and emerges victorious. In other words, it was very relatable about how we see ourselves existentially. The story has a mythic quality, something very fundamental about nature versus nurture and surviving in a dangerous and cruel world, but it is also a story of love, loyalty, and kindness.
It was definitely an emotional ride but I'm glad to have read it. Have you read this book or any other where an animal plays an important role in the story and felt it taught you about life?
by educated_giraffe