Martin Eden by Jack London

 MARTIN EDEN BY JACK LONDON

Very Short Description (to keep you intrigued) :)

Martin Eden is a poor and uneducated sailor, who idealises the world of Ruth Morse, a young lady from the bourgeois family. Martin decides to make his way in the world to become her equal.

My humble opinion

Of course the transformation of the main character is very impressive and inspiring, but the book is more about individualism. So is it possible to follow your ideas/ideals and remain part of the society, be understood? That’s the rhetorical question Jack London imposes throughout the book. It appears that the story and the problems become more complex as Martin advances, as if one had to literally experience this progress. So I really enjoyed that the novel turned out far more intricate than it seemed at first, both from the point of view of the storyline and the main idea.

Interesting Facts

Martin Eden’s character is semi-autobiographical and the character of Ruth Morse was inspired by Jack London’s first love, Mabel Applegarth.

The author did not choose the Surname Eden by a hazard. It is metaphorical and makes reference to the Garden of Eden.

Why read?

For the sake of metamorphosis and the rich ideas of Friedrich Nietzsche and Herbert Spencer!

The Moon and Sixpence by Somerset Maugham

         THE MOON AND SIXPENCE BY SOMERSET MAUGHAM

Very Short Description (to keep you intrigued) :)

The story is told by the first-person narrator, who encounters Strickland, a middle-age stockbroker through the latter’s wife. Strickland leaves his wife and children as well as his job and travels to Paris to become an artist, although he has never drawn before.

My humble opinion

Although the storyline of The Moon and Sixpence is not the most extravagant one I was astonished by the colorful images this book arose in me.  The simplicity and at the same time the complexity of the life of the major character Strickland strikes one’s philosophy. It gives way to quiet reflexion about life’s values and struggles to do what one wants to do in order to achieve happiness.

Interesting Facts

The post-impressionist artist Gauguin inspired the major character –Strickland. So the book more or less describes Gauguin’s life as well as his art.

Why read?

For the sake of Art and the amazing descriptions of paintings!