The Jungle

by Peter Kuper, Upton Sinclair, Emily Russell

Adaptation of Sinclair's novel now in paperback.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Classics, Fiction, Literature, Economics, Canon

46 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Peter Kuper is an American alternative comics artist and illustrator, renowned for his politically charged, socially conscious, and often autobiographical work. He co-founded the influential anthology World War 3 Illustrated, and is best known for his long-running reinvention of Spy vs. Spy for Mad magazine from 1997 to 2022. Kuper has produced numerous graphic novels, including award-winning adaptations of Franz Kafka’s Give It Up! and The Metamorphosis, as well as autobiographical works like Stop Forgetting To Remember and Diario de Oaxaca, documenting life, travel, and social struggles. His illustration work has appeared on covers and in publications such as Time, Newsweek, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times. Kuper’s style often merges comics and illustration techniques, with both wordless narratives and text-driven storytelling, reflecting his belief that the two disciplines are inseparable. He has traveled extensively across Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia, often documenting these experiences in sketchbook journals. Kuper has taught courses on comics and illustration at the Parsons School of Design, the School of Visual Arts, and Harvard University’s first class on graphic novels. He has received numerous awards, including recognition from the Society of Newspaper Designers, the Society of Illustrators, and Eisner and NCS awards for his work. His comics combine sharp political commentary, personal observation, and inventive visual storytelling, establishing him as a prominent figure in contemporary alternative comics and illustration.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this adaptation by Peter Kuper at the same time you read the novel. Cleared up some questions that still lingered in my mind after reading the novel. I think it is a great idea to try to find a GN on a classic and read both at the same time; really helps to be able to 'see' certain parts of the book in a way that only illustrations can do.

[Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sinclair Lewis never wrote a book called "The Jungle."
Upton Sinclair , however, did. Do you guys even read books?

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one that I haven't read the original but "The Jungle" is a book I'd like to read someday. It's time period and topic interest me. I knew nothing about it except that it was a pro-socialist/unions theme and now having read this adaptation and seeing it was written in 1902 can easily see the rose-coloured glasses the author wore when he supposes Socialism/Communism could be a Utopian answer to life's evils. The story itself is a depressing rags to rags saga of a family, especially one man. But this is only what I can get based upon this adaptation. The book though is famous for its depiction of Chicago's brutal stockyards of the time and the reform it brought about. Unfortunately, that is only a small part of this graphic novel and I didn't get to feel any of that horror. The art is astounding. It is done in the style of the (thirties?) Soviet propaganda posters. I used to collect stamps as a kid and loved the art on those old CCCP stamps. So here is a case of the graphic adaptation just whetting my appetite for the "real thing".

[Don Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a tearjerker. I didn't actually cry, but I love sad stories. More objectively, it's a classic of American muckraking. Specifically, the muckraking concerns the horrible conditions at the Chicago stockyards, the corruption of the meat-packing companies, and the misery of the immigrants who worked there.
Be warned: the end of the book is ruined by pages of crude political agitprop about how the workers should turn socialist and take over Chicago. The author, Upton Sinclair, was a well-meaning socialist.

Best quotation: "For twenty-five years old Antanas Rudkus and his son had dwelt in the forest together, and it was hard to part in this way; perhaps it was just as well that Jurgis had to devote all his attention to having a funeral without being bankrupted, and had no time for memories and grief."

[Matt Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jungle is a melancholy story about the meat packing industry and working conditions in Old Chicago. It covers the Main character's struggles for money, work, and how it was to work in a meat packing warehouse back then.

Though hard to understand at times, I really enjoyed this story. It sort of made me sad at times, looking at a man who is trying to put food on the table for his family, while also seeing the conditions he must work in. After reading, it feels weird to just think to yourself "Wait, stuff like this actually happened back in the day". The art style really fit the comic well, it had a smoky, gritty, dark look, that made the atmosphere at least ten times more fitting. I would recommend this to anyone who is into history, or who wants a taste of what its like to work in horrible conditions.

[Juan Conatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this before the actual book. Peter Kuper does a great job with this and I can't imagine anyone else doing what he did with this.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this in English class today. A good 35 minute read.

[SHANNON SAMUEL ARNOLD MORENO NYGUEN MORENO NYGUEN DO GARCIA HOEPELMAN SPANN ARNOLD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shannon Arnold 121 North 15th St Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 Mobile Phone: 702-717-4939 Mobile: 702 712-3976 E-mail: ShannonSArnold1984@Gmail.com OBJECTIVE I would like to improve my customer and guest hospitality with better training in wealth management WORK EXPERIENCECook and maintenance with some customer service October 2010 - March 2012Jack In The Box IncRestaurant/Food Services I performed maintenance and cook tasks, daily prep and some guest/ customers service.Shipping and receiving, HAACP certified, proper measurement of ingredients used in prep, maintained equipment and tools, provided food and safety throughout restaurant for guests and employees. March 2009 - May 2010Treasure Island Job Corps Cafeteria |Government and Military Joined Job Corps as a student and became one of few of past senior students to be incorporated as a certified trained helper, and also became well rounded throughout kitchen and production. Proper knife handling, correct food and safety handling and menu creation. Aug 2005- March 2007Carolina Restaurant Group Wendy'sCharlotte NCI performed maintenance and cook tasks, daily prep and some guest/ customers service. Shipping and receiving, HAACP certified, proper measurement of ingredients used in prep, maintained equipment and tools, provided food and safety throughout restaurant for guests and employees. Aug 2005- December 2007Tathwell Printing INC.Charlotte, NCHand laborer- packing, shipping and recieving. Manufacturing paperwork.***HECKY GESS PEGASUS JR 702*717*4939

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[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

After his book spurred the largest food safety overhaul in U.S. history, Upton Sinclair supposedly lamented, "I aimed for the nation's heart, but I hit it in the stomach." The Jungle is a heart-wrenching tale of social and economic injustice, of the evils of free-market capitalism run amok, of the human suffering brought on by unsatiable greed. But it is also a tale that exposed the underbelly of a gruesome, barbaric and dangerous industry; an industry that sustains the very life-blood of our nation. Perhaps Mr. Sinclair was naive to believe that our capacity for compassion for our fellow humans can outshine the fear of threats to our personal security. Or perhaps The Jungle was his ambitious attempt to challenge a severly myopic people to see that the goals of social justice, human health and universal compassion are unseparably bound. So thank you, Mr. Sinclair, (if for nothing else) for the courage to aim for the heart.

[Katie]

This is actually a graphic novel adaptation of The Jungle. I found it on the shelf- in with the regular novels. I didn't know they made graphic novels for grown-ups! I appreciated this version. I finally know the story of the whole book. I had started reading the real version once, but never finished.

Granted, this is very abridged, but I think it has it's place. It's better than reading none of the book. And it might prompt me to read the actual book, now that I know what takes place in it. Similarly, I never got through any Jane Austen novel until I had seen the movie version of one and then I was able to get through it's book, later moving on to read more of her novels.

[Amina Farha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the original, although I may attempt to take it on some day. This particular edition is very nicely illustrated, and serves as a good, fairly easy way to get the gist of the original. The harshness of the workers' conditions and the book's message are not lost. I started reading not at all expecting that an abridged comic book version of the well-known novel would affect me so much, but the deep emotional impact on the reader (while certainly diluted, I'm sure) is not lost. I'd definitely recommend this if you want to get a good idea of the trajectory of The Jungle before reading the whole thing.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars really. The illustrations are great. There are a few frames / panels that combine with illustration and text gives it the weight and emotion the story takes. But my only gripe is that the narrative goes too quickly. While I understand that perhaps it wasn't able to be a graphic novel, I think the comic is too short. Some snippets could've been longer or certain moments. It starts off well then it feels rushed then it slows down again and then rush. It doesn't end on that note or tone rather, which is good, but still. As good as it is. The writing and illustrations. It could be better.

[Mike Fiore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter Kuper's adaptation of "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair is a graphic novel take of a historical classic. The original novel sparked the creation of the FDA. "The Jungle" showcases the disgusting conditions of meat processing plants and the poor quality of the meat itself through the view of the common people and the workers of the plants.

I would recommend this to anyone who's a history buff or just curious about the past. This adaptation is a very cut-down version, but it gets the point across.

[Benjamin Britton · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Still in the city tonight women are driven by hunger to sell their bodies. Men are willing to work, yet starving... children and old people are cast off and helpless.
Now turn the page with me, and gaze upon the other side of the picture. At those who spend hundreds of dollars for a pair of shoes... millions for yacht and automobiles. And you plod on like beast of burden. Thinking only of the day and it's a pain. Is that one among you who believes it's such a system will continue forever?"

[Collin Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an especially important re-read at a time like this. Kuper adapts Upton Sinclair's classic into a graphic novel, and it is all the better for it. The adaptation displays the real intent of Sinclair's novel, to show the divide between the lives of the rich and poor in "packing town". The meat packing industry was just a subtext for the awful conditions men and women were put through so that men could lead ridiculous lifestyles. Still true today.

[kim McRad · Rating 5 out of 5]

rats in the meat was the least of my concerns while reading this book. i understand the meat industry reform that took place after this book was published but i was more appalled at the treatment of the workers. i guess that's the social worker in me.

[Ame · Rating 4 out of 5]

From bad to worse to even more worse to Jesus Christ how bad can it get? This adaptation is the saddest of the sad regarding our protagonist and his hopes of making it in America.

And weirdly enough, it inspires me all the more to read the actual Jungle text.

[Ebb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great art. I read this book back in high school so it was nice to revisit the story in graphic novel form this time. The novel does a good job at highlighting the many themes throughout the book. A good starter if someone is hesitant to dive into the actual novel.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think about this book everytime i eat a hot dog. very grim look at the chicago factory system from the early 1900's

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hard book to read because of its topic but it is interesting and very real.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read the original book, but my interest is sufficiently piqued as to try the full length book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the strong artwork in this title. The coloring mixed so very well with the feeling of the text. I don't know that I would have been able to stomach this title in another fashion.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Junior Year - good support for Tutorial students (IEP)

[Lorenzo Andrew]

ITS about a factory in chicago that makes food,buts its not safe for people

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

The graphic novel of this book is beautifully illustrated and very easy to read. Taking the time to appreciate and get a deeper understanding of what the pictures mean is a key point to reading this book. The only reason why this has four stars instead of five is due to the fact that there are a few key elements that are missing from the original book. In the original, Jurgis goes off on his own and the reader gets full explanations of what he does during this time, the graphic novels skimmed very quickly past this. Another thing that I didn't find as impactful from the graphic novel to the original is that there wasn't a detailed description of the meat packing factories. Overall I really enjoyed this book and I will recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good book to read.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I had read this version in high school, I think I could have made it through the actual book. Graphic novels are suuuuuper helpful to ground weighty/unfamiliar concepts. Maybe I could have gotten an A in AP US History :_).

[Victor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The actual book is in my TBR pile. I had originally thought this story was just based on the meat packing industry. After reading the graphic novel, I realized there is so much more story to be told. I can’t wait to read the book.

[James Zaksek · Rating 3 out of 5]

The imagery and interpretation of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair was quite appealing to its story of the struggle of mankind and his weaknesses as opposed to his strengths. I liked this, but it was far too short for such an explicitly important novel for its time.

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short summation with some artful illustrations.

[Pug · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very ugly illustrations for a very ugly book.