There’s a basic fact about human beings that we often forget: we’re animals.
It’s easy to read about and study the animal world as if it’s something totally separate from ourselves, but the fact of the matter is that we live in the same world, share a lot of the same DNA, and have a lot of the same basic needs—like food, water, and shelter. And sometimes dealing with other people can feel a lot like dealing with a pack of wolves.
Jack London’s two classic novels from the early 1900s, Call of the Wild and White Fang, contrast the wild world of the animal kingdom with the—equally wild?—world of human civilization in fascinating ways
The two books are opposites, in a way. In Call of the Wild, a pet dog ends up living out on the frontier, away from civilization; in White Fang, a wild wolf finds itself living in human society. Combined, the two novels raise questions about just how different human and animal life really area. And on top of that, London’s books are simply enthralling adventure stories that have entertained readers for a century.
Be warned, though: both novels include some scenes of animal violence that can be difficult to read.
Have any thoughts on White Fang or Call of the Wild? Then tell us in the comments below or by submitting a review! You can also review any other books you’ve read recently that you want your fellow TIPsters to know about.
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