The semiautobiographical Martin Eden is the most vital and original character Jack London ever created. Set in San Francisco, this is the story of Martin Eden, an impoverished seaman who pursues, obsessively and aggressively, dreams of education and literary fame. London, dissatisfied with the rewards of his own success, intended Martin Eden as an attack on individualism and a criticism of ambition; however, much of its status as a classic has been conferred by admirers of its ambitious protagonist. Andrew Sinclair's wide-ranging introduction discusses the conflict between London's support of socialism and his powerful self-will. Sinclair also explores the parallels and divergences between the life of Martin Eden and that of his creator, focusing on London's mental depressions and how they affected his depiction of Eden.
About the AuthorJack London (1876-1916) was born John Chaney in Pennsylvania, USA. In 1896 he was caught up in the gold rush to the Klondike river in north-west Canada, which became the inspiration for
The Call of the Wild (1903) and
White Fang (1906). Jack London became one of the most widely read writers in the world.
Reviews"One of Jack London's greatest works." -
Upton SinclairBook InformationISBN 9780140187724
Author Jack LondonFormat Paperback
Page Count 480
Imprint Penguin ClassicsPublisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 326g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 129mm * 21mm