Book review: The Call of the Wild (London)
Have I read this before: I don’t think I’ve ever read this, but I did listen to an audiobook version of it back when I was working at Pima in 2012. I had to tag PDFs for read-aloud accessibility software – super mundane – and I listened to a good number of audiobooks while doing that.
Review: It’s so refreshing to read a book that’s not yet another exploration of class struggles in 18th- or 19th- or 20th-century England. I mean, I guess I just finished Breakfast of Champions, which was a great departure from what has been a typical theme/setting on this book list, but still. This one is from a dog’s perspective. About as different as you can get. And honestly, it was easier to empathize with Buck than it has been for a number of the English characters I’ve read about over the past few years, despite the fact that I am assuredly not a sled dog (at least in this lifetime).
Favorite Part: I like how this book almost reads as a fable. There’s something fantastical and legendary about Buck and his trials and eventual response to the “call of the wild” could easily be argued as teaching a moral lesson.
Rating: 6/10
Waiter! There’s a quadriplegic in my Jazzercise class!
What’s up with me and the quadriplegic/paraplegic jokes? Anyway, down to business!*
*none of this should be taken seriously. Seriously.
An Exposition on Paleontology In Which Several Points Must Be Made
Point 1: In Which Is Written A Strongly-Worded Letter To Jack London
Dear Mr. London,
Having just read your short story “To Build a Fire,” I have several questions regarding the coldness of the territory in which your character, “the man,” was wandering about.
Repeated six times in 11 pages is some variation of the phrase, “it was cold.” Your exact words are:
“It certainly was cold, he concluded”,
“Once in a while the thought reiterated itself that it was very cold”,
“It certainly was cold”,
“It certainly was cold, was his thought”,
“There was no mistake about it, it was cold”, and
“It certainly was cold, was his thought”.
On completion of this story I found that there might be some confusion over whether or not it was cold in this Alaskan territory. Other readers and I would benefit greatly if you were to state clearly—on multiple occasions, perhaps, even repeating yourself—how cold it actually was (that is, if it was cold at all).
Thank you in advance,
Sir Isaac Newton (not that one, a different one).
Point 2: In Which The Riddle Of The Double-Dream-Marriage To William Shatner Is Discussed
Dear Brain,
It has come to my attention that you, on more occasions than one, have found it rather humorous to have me marry William Shatner in my dreams. This has occurred now both in the months of February and March.
While William Shatner is indeed a dignified character, and while we both share several similar activities and hobbies, such as appearing in Kellog’s All-Bran cereal commercials on the side (thank you, Wikipedia), I do feel it is time for a change.
I would appreciate it, my dear Brain, if you would delve into the past a bit, and conjure up images of Voltaire, Descartes, or Locke. Seeing as how Voltaire is the only man who dared show a smirk in his portraits, I would prefer him.
Oh Brain, how I wish for Voltaire in my dreams tonight.
Thank you in advance,
Me (you know me, don’t you?).
Point 3: In Which My Severe Aversion To Romanticism And My Longing To Return To The Study Of The Enlightenment Is Discussed
Dear English Department,
While I realize how necessary it is to delve into all forms and time periods of English literature, I do strongly recommend that we return to the study of the Enlightenment. It is so much more intriguing and enchanting than Romanticism. While Frankenstein’s creation and Rousseau’s raunchy “Confessions” do it for some, others, like myself, prefer the wit of Voltaire and the steady reasoning logic of Descartes.
Please see Point 2 above, disregarding the first part about Mr. Shatner.
Thank you in advance,
Some Random Student.
Eigenblogger 