Call of the Wild: A Simple Sweet Tale About a Dog Named Buck
Call of the Wild by Jack London
Call of the Wild by Jack London
When growing up there are some classic novels that I never cared to read. Among them are the Jack London novels and the book I always heard about was Call of the Wild. It’s a classic tale about a dog and that’s all I know. I avoided it because when I read a book I want action, drama, high stakes, with flavors of fantasy, horror, or scifi thrown in. Reading about a dog seemed to be so mundane. But as of writing this in March in a hot spot of the Coronavirus, reading a simple tale about a dog finding his place in the world seems a lot more appealing because going to the grocery store and other daily activities have become so high stakes. I’m not craving adventure I used to with the world outside. So here is my review of Call of the Wild by Jack London.
So what is it about? The story follows Buck, a Shepard Saint Bernard mix who has a pampered life on his rich owner’s property. But one day a disgruntled gardener kidnaps him and sells him off to some bad men. Before he knows it, Buck’s life turns into an odyssey. He goes through many hands up in Alaska. Sometimes beaten. Other times loved. And sometime fighting for his life among other dogs. It’s a tale of self-discovery and finding his place in the world.
The good? This book is beautifully told. With a lead character that does not talk, it’s so well done with the very little dialogue in this tale. Buck’s emotions and thoughts drive the story and it’s great. The ending I really loved too. I really came to love Buck and it was wonderful to see him have a happy ending.
The bad? The book had really no flaws. The only thing I would warn people about is some of the abuse. Buck goes through is a lot including abusive owner. Some animal lovers may not be able to handle some of the rougher scenes.
Overall, this is a nice fluff read. It’s enjoyable, short, and not too heavy. It really is the perfect read when stressful times or just anytime. I really recommend it. So if you haven’t ever read Call of the Wild, go ahead and check it out. It’s most definitely worth your time.
5 smoothies out of Five
Overall Rating: A Simple Sweet Tale About a Dog Named Buck.