The Road

Written by Jack London

Narrated by Seth Thompson

Experience thetrials andhardships of a beloved writer’s lifein this InAudio production of Jack London’s memoir, The Road. Jack London isprimarilyknown for his novels and short stories that center the natural world. The Roadis a more personal storyand takes readers through London’s experiences in povertyin the late 1800s, which was the time of the largest economic depression in the United States to that day. Londonwrites about his experiences begging, sneaking onto trains, taking on many odd jobs, and evading the police who are out to arrest any vagrants. He also details his experience of eventually being arrested and subject to the horrors of a penitentiary, a sobering 30 days that would serve as the turning point forhis life and lead to him seeking education and becoming a writer.The Roadis an impactful and intriguing memoir that gives readers an appreciation for humanity of the poor, and a new understanding for the difficulties of those who suffer the most during times of national economic crisis

• Language: English
• Publisher: Spotify Audiobooks
• Release date: Feb 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781094244730

Jack London

Jack London (1876-1916) was an American novelist and journalist. Born in San Francisco to Florence Wellman, a spiritualist, and William Chaney, an astrologer, London was raised by his mother and her husband, John London, in Oakland. An intelligent boy, Jack went on to study at the University of California, Berkeley before leaving school to join the Klondike Gold Rush. His experiences in the Klondike—hard labor, life in a hostile environment, and bouts of scurvy—both shaped his sociopolitical outlook and served as powerful material for such works as “To Build a Fire” (1902), The Call of the Wild (1903), and White Fang (1906). When he returned to Oakland, London embarked on a career as a professional writer, finding success with novels and short fiction. In 1904, London worked as a war correspondent covering the Russo-Japanese War and was arrested several times by Japanese authorities. Upon returning to California, he joined the famous Bohemian Club, befriending such members as Ambrose Bierce and John Muir. London married Charmian Kittredge in 1905, the same year he purchased the thousand-acre Beauty Ranch in Sonoma County, California. London, who suffered from numerous illnesses throughout his life, died on his ranch at the age of 40. A lifelong advocate for socialism and animal rights, London is recognized as a pioneer of science fiction and an important figure in twentieth century American literature.

Reviews for The Road

[inezeaton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Book: 10/10. From experience, I can say that Sailor Jack’s words are true to form.

Narration: 6/10. It could have been an AI text to speech function for all the life he gave to this historical tome of precarious and high speed adventure.

Still, it’s a better narration than any of the other audiobooks of this title. If you have a choice, opt to read it. If not, don’t let the narration hamper your interest towards a fact-filled gem about a hobo’s life in 19th century USA.

Long live the captain!