Martin Eden

Written by Jack London

Narrated by Peter Joyce

The phrase ‘this book will change your life’ has become one of the clichés of the publishing world but ‘Martin Eden’ is certainly a novel that merits that observation.

Set in turn of the century San Francisco, Jack London’s semi-autobiographical narrative tells of working class sailor Eden’s struggle to elevate himself to a level of society wherein, he believes, resides the intellect and culture he craves. One of the reasons for this endeavour is Ruth Morse, with whom he has fallen in love, and whose bourgeois family make a union between them impossible until he obtains an equality of wealth and status.

However, Martin’s inexorable and painful quest changes him and he is as uncompromising in his new found beliefs as London is in his telling of the tale. Success comes at the price of disillusion and when the publishers and middle-class are finally at his feet Martin already begrudges them. Having achieved his ambition by appreciation and comprehension of the works of evolutionist Herbert Spencer, Martin is now at the mercy of one of the tenets of this creed: "the survival of the fittest." Tasting the fruit of the tree the successful writer has nothing but contempt for the values of the class he has reached and is unfit for his place. Can he turn back despite the fact he has not only lost his faith in God but also his belief in his fellow men?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Assembled Stories
• Release date: Jan 10, 2009
• ISBN: 9781860153327

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.