Christine Hoeppener Boeken

The semiautobiographical Martin Eden is the most vital and original character Jack London ever created. Set in San Francisco, this is the story of Martin Eden, an impoverished seaman who pursues, obsessively and aggressively, dreams of education and literary fame. London, dissatisfied with the rewards of his own success, intended Martin Eden as an attack on individualism and a criticism of ambition; however, much of its status as a classic has been conferred by admirers of its ambitious protagonist. Andrew Sinclair's wide-ranging introduction discusses the conflict between London's support of socialism and his powerful self-will. Sinclair also explores the parallels and divergences between the life of Martin Eden and that of his creator, focusing on London's mental depressions and how they affected his depiction of Eden. (back cover)

Chronicling a real-life adventure, this book details Jack London's journey across the South Pacific aboard his ketch, the Snark, accompanied by his wife, Charmian, and a small crew. London shares his self-taught navigation skills and the intricacies of sailing, while vividly describing their visits to captivating locations like the Solomon Islands and Hawaii. His firsthand accounts and photographs offer a unique glimpse into these remote areas at the dawn of the twentieth century.