Любовь к жизни

by Jack London, Виль Быков (Translator)

Предлагаем вашему вниманию сборник избранных рассказов известного американского писателя Джека Лондона.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Short Stories, Adventure, American, Audiobook, Survival

448 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1905

About the author

John Griffith Chaney, better known as Jack London, was an American novelist, journalist and activist. A pioneer of commercial fiction and American magazines, he was one of the first American authors to become an international celebrity and earn a large fortune from writing. He was also an innovator in the genre that would later become known as science fiction.

London was part of the radical literary group "The Crowd" in San Francisco and a passionate advocate of animal rights, workers’ rights and socialism. London wrote several works dealing with these topics, such as his dystopian novel The Iron Heel, his non-fiction exposé The People of the Abyss, War of the Classes, and Before Adam.

His most famous works include The Call of the Wild and White Fang, both set in Alaska and the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush, as well as the short stories "To Build a Fire", "An Odyssey of the North", and "Love of Life". He also wrote about the South Pacific in stories such as "The Pearls of Parlay" and "The Heathen".

Reviews

[Exina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the short stories from this collection were required for American literature seminar. None of them left such a deep impression as To Build a Fire.

3 stars.

[Uirebit Uirebit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nu cred ca exista vreun scriitor care sa poata egala opera lui London (sau poate ca am citit eu prea putin la viata mea).
Realismul si autenticitatea stilului sau te fac sa te indragostesti imediat de sufletul lui London si sa vrei sa citesti mai mult... si mai mult.
I-as da 6 stele, daca as putea :)

[Aydan Aliyeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pəh!! Qələmin dilinə, təsvirin gücünə bax!!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack London is one of my favorite authors. He dive-bombs straight into an exploration of the endurance of the human spirit, and makes it walk to the very brink of insanity and death before pulling it back to see what burned off in the struggle. He subjects his stories' heroes to the most tortuous of scenarios and the most savage of antagonists that strips the skin, muscles, and bones from the protagonist's character until the last bit of grit is revealed that signifies the truest bit of life that lies buried in each of us beneath all the fatty comforts, convenience, and beyond the reach of all self-deception. London is notorious for holding his characters squirming under the microscope of his story, and suddenly reveals that it is our own doppelganger that is writhing in agony of exposure beneath our very eyes! London seizes us by the throat and peels away our trappings layer by layer until he is able to divide between the animal and the divine in us. It is discomfiting, but enlightening, and strangely rejuvenating as one begins to reclothe the spirit a bit more honestly and intentionally when the story is finished. Just keep your fingers away from London's teeth--he will tear the skin if you brush too closely against his piercing deconstruction of the carnal facade of the soul that might be a bit more fragile than we think.

"Love Of Life" (1907) is a collection of stories about the endurance, survival, and even the death of the human spirit, and most occur in catastrophic incidents that keep the reader on the edge of his seat. Many of the stories take place in the Yukon province of Canada that borders Alaska, and as London had an unflagging interest in the Gold Rush of 1898, his plots center around the hardships that faced the natives of Alaska and western prospectors as a result of man's insatiable thirst for riches and adventure.

My favorite story in this anthology was "Brown Wolf". It is a simple tale about a dog that was half wolf, raised in the Yukon as a sled dog, but later domesticated on a quiet farm, living a peaceful existence, and waited on by gentle people. The author teases out the desires of the dog that is torn between a thirst for danger (wolf), and alternately a thirst for safety (dog). It is the tension between home and adventure, between comfort and risk, and the end of the story reveals London's own belief in the ultimate leanings of mankind as represented in the struggle between plant and animal in Brown Wolf.

London won't let you read quietly. He rips a hole right through your chest so you can see what makes your guts quiver. And he likes it. And I like it... 'cause when I zip back up, I know a little more who I am. Which is much more than we sometimes think.

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2016 I read a book called Wolf Totem. Jack London's story Love Of Life was mentioned there, and at the time I put the title on my Told You So list, where I keep track of interesting books mentioned in other books. I was curious about why young people in the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia would have been reading that particular story.

This year one of my reading goals is to make a few dents in some of my personal lists, so here we are. I had found Love Of Life at Project Gutenberg as part of a collection of eight London stories. Of course I had to read them all....I mean, it's Jack London!

So why had those young people in wolf Totem read the story Love Of Life? It tells what happened to a man (we never learn his name) when he sprains his ankle on a trek to get out of the north country before the winter. His partner Bill never looks back, never answers the man's calls, he just keeps on walking. And we face a cold, hungry hell with the man while he tries to save himself. Then the wolf shows up, and what happens between him and the man made me understand the power this story had for the readers in Wolf Totem.

Some stories are written from a Native American viewpoint, others show the White Man's approach. All the stories are amazing and well worth the time. Negore, The Coward is particularly moving; The Unexpected features a woman who is stronger than the men around her when she needs to be; The Story Of Keesh reveals life-giving ingenuity on the part of a young orphan boy; and The Sun-Dog Trail will leave a reader wondering along with the narrator, who never did learn the 'Why?' of his experience with two young people who nearly killed all three in their search for....what?

Each story here is set in Alaska (Brown Wolf is the one exception, it takes place in California, but Alaska is the gorilla in the room there) and all are intense views of life in the gold rush days and earlier. No one writes this type of story the way London did. Have blankets ready, you will feel the seventy-below-zero cold. Have munchies handy, you will think you are dying of hunger. Get up and walk around every few minutes while you read, because you will be convinced that if you don't keep moving, you will freeze.

[Kusaimamekirai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these stories, most of them set in Alaska, of men, women and animals fighting for survival over the elements as well as the people around them. These are thoroughly enjoyable adventure stories but with a keen insight into human greed, love, insecurity, and our connection to the natural world.
My only criticism would be when London portrays “ethnic” characters such as Native Americans, Dutch, or Irishmen. Rather than have them speak like his White characters, they speak and at times cringe worthy accented English which, while London was hardly the only one doing in the early 20th century, remains awkward and uncomfortable to read in 2018.
That aside, these are wonderful stories and a pleasure to read.

[Vanya Hrynkiv · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Вічна класика, сильно і цікаво

[Irina Constantin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prima cartea cu adevărat fascinantă pe care am citit-o iarna asta! Jack London- Dragostea de viață și alte povestiri, un scriitor clasic memorabil care niciodată nu m-a dezmăgit, Jack London! Aparenta simplitate a povestirii ascunde suplicii de nedescris, oare agonia spiritului pornește numai iarna atât de subit?... eu am simțit-o în toată întregimea ei citindu-l pe London...

[Daniel Lișinschi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Love of Life" is a story written by Jack London in 1907. It presents the journey of 2 travelers through the Canadian forests. From betrayal to death, Jack shows us in a short way that the boundary between animals and humans isn't as thick as we thought.
Definitely give it a try!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened on Spotify to this while knitting. The click of the humdrum needles contrasted with the gripping details and the intense scenes. Excellent story telling....

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

This is my second reading of these short stories, all are worthwhile reading. As with all collections some are better than others, but in this case the difference is small. London was perhaps the best writer of his time and a master of the short story. He is one of my personal favorites, I hope to read all his works before I go toes up, time will tell.

This is a no guilt recommendation. Take a chance read at least one of these stories and let me know if I’m right. My top picks are Love of Life, The Unexpected, and Negore, The Coward.

[Tarlan A. Latif · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of survival at its most pure. It is an exploration of a man's will to survive. London tells the story in great detail, recounting moments of fear, anguish and raw hunger endured by his protagonists.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remembered reading and loving it in school. Now I want more Jack London in my life, especially after all this years.:)

[Babək OSMANLI · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Əgər siz doğrudan da onu sevirsinizsə, onda onun xoşbəxtliyi sizin də xoşbəxtliyinizdir...💦"

[Sedefu · Rating 5 out of 5]

İçindeki en iyi hikayenin yaşamak hırsı olduğunu düşünürken yüz karası hikayesiyle kitabı bitirirken en iyisi buydu sanırım dedim. Yine de tüm kitapta bir hırs var.

[Mark Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Stories:

The Sun-Dog Trail
Love of Life

[Sara Maria Maria Hatmanu · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was pretty good. "Dragoste de viata" was really pretty and the rest of the stories were OK

[Ene Sepp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack Londoni raamatud on tõeline klassika. Ma kahtlen, et ükski tema lugu suudab üle trumbata toda esimest korda, kui lugesin "Valgekihv/Ürgne kutse" raamatut. Talvisel ajal Pikasillal, pärast ägedat suusapäeva teki voodil teki sisse mässitult. Samas toovad kõik Londoni lood kasvõi hetkeks selle mälestuskillu uuesti välja ning seda tegi ka "Elu seadus". Londoni raamatutest ei tasu otsida helgust ja muinasjutte. Kõik lood on realistlikult karmid. Olgu selleks siis pärast pikki aastaid kadunud olnud suguvõsa juurde naasev noor mees, kes minema aetakse, sest ta on "varjudest tulnud" või vana mees, kes ühel hetkel maha jäetakse, surma ootama. Ainsaks seltsiliseks pisike haohunnik, et viimast korda lõkkesoojust nautida.

[7on · Rating 3 out of 5]

Я уже писал, мне нравится Джек Лондон. Прежде всего своим жизнеутверждающим духом, который есть во всех его произведениях. Тут тоже самое, только в форме рассказа и максимально витально и животно. Главный герой прошёл через такое, что вряд ли сможем вынести мы - жители современного мегаполиса с привычкой к нынешнему уровню комфорта. Когда читаешь - думаешь: "А я смог бы так же?"

[liz ⋆·⸆⸉౨ৎ˚ (semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for english class - very impressed with how good this was! a compelling and interesting survival story

[Zero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story about a man starving in the Alaskan wilderness.

[Ayat Alahmed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Açlık, acı, ölüm ve açlık korkusu..

[Mariangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains the stories:
-Love of life
-A day’s lodging
-The white man’s ways
-The story of Keesh
-The unexpected
-Brown wolf
-The sun-dog trail
-Negore, the coward

My favorites were Love of life, The story of Keesh and Brown Wolf.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoy London. He does two things really well: tales of the Yukon and tales of Socialism. This collection if of the former variety. Its a captivating way of life from a bygone era. I love it. Of these, Keesh was my favorite, although almost all of these are worth a skim. He actually addresses some interesting social and perspective dilemmas through the stories as well. Not my favorite London work, but not bad overall.

Love of Life…What goes through a man's head and his desires when he's struggling to survive with no food, ammo, but plenty of money. I can't follow the medical truthiness of a man without food for three weeks (?), but it was a quick and engaging tale.

A Night's Lodging…The irony of a man finding himself in a random cabin with his ex-wife who ran away with another man (who is also there). Its a small world after all. A good test of wills.

The White Man's Way...Least engaging of the stories. A quick sum of the manner in which European settlers destroyed the life/traditions of the Native Americans. Just not engaging.

The Story of Keesh...Keesh is Ingenious. All I can say...liked this one alot. If I were forced to read one of these over again, Keesh would be my first choice.

The Unexpected...I could have done without some of the pandering in the middle of this, but overall, another story of life on the Klondike trail

Brown Wolf...Brown Wolf is almost an allegory for adoptees, particularly those who weren't put up for adoption. Who do you prefer? How do you make the choice. We only see half the tale here so reader tends to side with the protagonist. But a difficult decision as seen through the eyes of a dog. Not my favorite, but not a bad little tale.

The Sun-Dog Trail...The actual story within the story was sorta blah. But the context of every story not truly having a beginning or an end and how that translates to pictures or snapshot is quite ingenious. I would not call this a favorite by any means, but the philosophical points it raises make it a valid read for a rainy day discussion.

Negore, The Coward...If I could change one thing about this it would be the name Negore...too close to other questionable words. Liked this for a quick closing tale. Again, similar to the prior story, London reflects how a reaction based on too little information can provide false information.

[DJNana · Rating 4 out of 5]

My third Jack London short story collection in as many months; again, it's excellent, and I don't have much to add beyond my previous reviews.

I think Jack London's outlook on life gels very well with my own - not that I can say I have his masculine vim, but it's something I attain to.

Favourite story: The Sun Dog Trail. A desperate chase across the deadly snows of the Yukon.

Will I re-read: if I get through London's other short stories, could easily see myself re-reading.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

El presente recopilatorio del genial Jack London, se compone de ocho relatos en los cuales el eje central de las tramas es la supervivencia en todo lo amplio de su significado, además del enfrentamiento inevitable del hombre a su y a la naturaleza, encontramos historias de supervivencia al amor y afecto, a los imprevistos, pasando por la forzada causada por la misma ineptitud del ser humano y hasta la que converge el una palabra el significado cumbre de ésta: “el héroe”.
La obsesión y debilidad de London por retratar la particular contienda del humano frente a sus demonios, involucrando a la naturaleza y queriéndola forzar a su gusto, pese a su debilidad y ostracismo mental inherente, se ve reflejado una vez más en una serie de relatos desgarradores, realistas, crudos y dotados de una atmósfera inquietante y sumamente envolvente, por veces opresiva, en los que algunos hombres salen bien parados por tener un juicio sano y coherente, todo hay que decirlo.
Toda una lección de escritura y sabiduría volcada en historias imperecederas por su calidad y ritmo a la par que aleccionadoras por su contenido.

A continuación, paso a relatar los argumentos de cada una y mi opinión concreta sobre éstos:

1/ Amor a la naturaleza:
Dos buscadores de oro hacen rumbo hacía su refugio temporal en las montañas, ya que el invierno se avecina. A raíz de un incidente sus caminos se separan, y a través de uno de ellos veremos su enfrentamiento a las siempre inesperadas adversidades en su lucha por sobrevivir.
Excelente relato, crudo, realista, intenso y demoledor en mensaje y conclusión, que analiza hasta dónde puede llevar al límite un hombre desesperado y sus consecuencias posteriores, incluía la crítica frente a los desconocedores de la miseria.
ME HA GUSTADO MUCHO.

2/Refugio por un día:
Un hombre arrastra su trineo lleno de perros por un helado paraje, cuando encuentra un refugio inhabitado dónde resguardarse. Pronto tendrá la compañía de una pareja que le pide asilo temporal.
Magnífico relato que habla de dos clases de supervivencia, la del hombre frente a la naturaleza esencial y plantea un caso hipotético frente a la del comportamiento humano en su vertiente amorosa (y ahí lo dejo), con disquisiciones en ése pantanoso terreno acerca de las acometidas nobles, los chantajes y uno de sus posibles desenlaces vitales.
ME HA GUSTADO MUCHO

3/ La manera de hacer de los blancos:
Un hombre blanco es acogido por una familia negra, que le advierten de sus reglas. A través de ello, conocerá la historia de uno de sus descendientes y el porqué de sus reticencias sobre la supuesta ‘lógica’,’inteligente’ y avanzada raza caucásica.
Buen relato de London, en forma de fábula ejemplarizante que critica las acciones arbitrarias y absurdas a ojos de los pueblos y razas, por aquel entonces, supuestamente menos desarrollados e inferiores. Éste está dotado de reflexiones, si bien no perfectas, sí muy coherentes y qué dan qué pensar. Habla de dos formas muy distintas de supervivencia y de adaptarse a la naturaleza de otros seres humanos.
ME HA GUSTADO.

4/ La historia de Keesh:
El Keesh, un niño Esquimal huérfano de padre y el cual ve que su familia relegada a la peor posición dentro de su comunidad, luchará por sus derechos y reclamará el lugar que le pertenece, además de aportar a la tribu provisiones de carne a nivel equitativo para todos mediante la arriesgada caza de osos, causa por la que falleció su padre.
Magnífico relato educativo para todas las edades que habla del reto de la supervivencia, sacando a relucir tus aptitudes mentales por encima de tus físicas, cosa poco común en aquellos días.
ME HA GUSTADO MUCHO

5/ El imprevisto:
Una expedición mixta de buscadores de oro (Indios y blancos), se ve de repente envuelta en un ‘violento altercado’, derivado del mal del oro del cual deberán salir.
Interesante y dinámico, a la vez que filosófico y desgarrador relato en el que London nos narra el tipo de supervivencia instintivo, que saca a relucir lo peor y mejor del hombre en situaciones extremas e inesperadas.
ME HA GUSTADO MUCHO.

6/ Brown wolf:
Un aventurero para en una cabaña para pedir indicación sobre el lugar, cuando comprueba que la pareja que lo ayuda posee su desaparecida mascota, un perro lobo.
Curioso relato ,a la par que sentimental reflejo de los sentimientos de un animal, que debe hacer frente al dilema de escoger su antiguo o nuevos compañeros de vida, su familia de acogida. Aquí está presente el tema de la supervivencia, de un modo solapado, sentimental, mediante el desamparo de una mascota cuando pierde a su compañero humano y vuelve a reencontrar otros, y su desesperación por la incapacidad humana de llegar a un acuerdo de cohesión por el bien del afectado real, el lastimado y perdido perro lobo.
ME HA GUSTADO MUCHO.

7/ El camino de los soles falsos:
Un blanco y su guía Indio, se adentran en un refugio dónde están presentes varias pinturas. Allí el primero le explica al Nativo el significado de ésos retazos de vida captados mediante el trazo y el color. De ahí surge una historia pasada que le relata el Indio sobre dos blancos que lo contrataron y que recorrieron el “camino de los falsos soles”.
Magnífico relato, duro y demoledor, tremendamente filosófico y explicado a modo de lienzo que enmarca narrativamente y deja ver a modo fugaz, sin principio ni fin pero a todas luces perfectamente esclarecedor , la insensatez humana de llevarse hasta extremos impensables de supervivencia y derrota por cosas insignificantes y absurdas en el conjunto de la vida ,y de la importancia de la escala valores humanos en la práctica.
ME HA ENCANTADO.

8/ Negore el cobarde:
Negore, después del inicio de la revuelta y parte de la desintegración de su a manos de los soviéticos, vuelve a reclamar su derecho sobre la joven casadera, hija del padre de su tribu (con la cual estaba prometido antes de ‘huir’). Ella le echa en cara su cobardía y le narra las tragedias que ha pasado su pueblo mientras él era un desertor civil. Negore le explicará su versión de los hechos, y juntos tramarán una alianza para derrotar a sus enemigos..
Magnífico relato que trata los diferentes puntos de vista o versiones que las acciones y modo de supervivencia, con la toma de decisiones y anteposición personal, por un lado, y en conjunto, por otro, frente a las duras circunstancias de hacer cara a la invasión e intento de destrucción de tu gente. Todo ello coronado con el mensaje del significado de la ‘supervivencia máximo’, el de el héroe imperecedero en el corazón del pueblo y en la tranquilidad del alma del sacrificado.
ME HA ENCANTADO.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"'Look you,' he said; 'you are a painter-man. How would you paint this which I saw, a picture without beginning, the ending of which I do not understand, a piece of life with the northern lights for a candle and Alaska for a frame.'" <-- put this on the book jacket

I used to think there was something corny about Jack London (all those dog stories!) but he has more range than I give him credit for. Some of these are pure survivalist stories, and that's certainly what he's most famous for, but he's also skilled at writing about the relationships between men and women, whites and natives. London's world is impossibly big and small at the same time: even on the loneliest trail in the endless frozen hellscape of Yukon Country, a man may encounter a former lover; a beloved sled-dog may be found thousands of miles away from home on a chance visit to Southern California. Several of the stories are framed as travelers telling stories over a fire as temperatures dip to 50 below, furthering the feeling of a marriage between realism and fable.

recommended: The Sun-Dog Trail, The White Man's Way

3.5 stars. (Kinda get the impression that London is a misogynist, tbh.)

[Vlada Volkova · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are a great way of getting acquainted with culture and mentality of Native American tribes. You can see what a true courage means and how people of different nations are trying to interact and understand each other. Besides, these stories contain some useful tips to survive if you happen to face the wildlife.

My personal rating of the stories:
1) Love of Life
2) Brown Wolf
3) The Sun Dog Trail
4) The White Man's Way
5) The Story of Keesh
6) A Day's Lodging; Negore, The Coward; The Unexpected

[Cavanşir Gadimov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack London'un hikâyelerini çok severim. Belki de romanlarında çok daha güzeldir bana göre. Okuduğum kitapta da 6 hikayesi vardı. Biri de Ateş Yakmak. Eksi 50 derecenin altında soğukta donmamak için ateş yakma mücadelesi veren insanın öyküsü. Çünkü ateş yakamaması yaşamına mal olacaktır.

Okuduğum kitapta bulunan ve Yaşamak Hırsı ile Meksikalı başlıklı hikayeleri de benim en çok sevdiğim hikayelerdir. Herkese tavsiye ederim.

Hikayelerle ilgili daha ayrıntılı inceleme için buraya bakın... http://kitapokurum.blogspot.com.tr/20...

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time I think I've finished with them, I find another collection of short stories about the Yukon from Jack London! This one was more interesting than some of the ones I've read so far, though. I wonder if there are even more...?