White Fang (1906) - Jack London

Category: Adventure, Classic, Suspense, Teen & Young Adult
Language: English
Keywords: 1900 Alaska Dog Story Gold Rush Juvenal Literature

Written by Jack London
Read by Norman Dietz
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

Publisher:Recorded Books, Inc.
Release Date: 3/28/2011
Duration: 09:26:18

White Fang is the titular character and a novel by American author Jack London. First serialized in Outing magazine, it was published in 1906. The story takes place in Yukon Territory, Canada, during the Klondike Gold Rush at the end of the 19th-century, and details a wild wolf dog’s journey to domestication.

White Fang is a companion novel (and a thematic mirror) to London’s best-known work, The Call of the Wild, which is about a kidnapped, domesticated dog embracing his wild ancestry to survive and thrive in the wild. Much of White Fang is written from the viewpoint of the titular canine character, enabling London to explore how animals view their world and how they view humans.

White Fang examines the violent world of wild animals and the equally violent world of humans. The book also explores complex themes including morality and redemption. .White Fang has been adapted for the screen numerous times, including a 1991 film starring Ethan Hawke.

White Fang is a powerful story of courage and loyalty in the untamed Yukon. The sense of immediacy that comes with oral storytelling makes it a perfect choice for audio. Norman Dietz’s narration shows the range of effects that can be achieved through audio. Dietz’s smooth, calm voice emphasizes London’s underlying themes, making the work more thoughtful and intense. However, the sense of danger and adventure that makes London’s literature appealing to a broad audience is lost with Dietz’s straight, risk-free style. For adult listeners, Dietz’s performance makes White Fang a haunting and multi-dimensional experience. However, for young adults, this rendition is too tame and slow-paced. J.S.G. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine