The Sea-Wolf

By: Jack London

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

When Humphrey Van Weyden finds himself struggling in the freezing waters of San Francisco Bay, he thinks the worst that can happen to him is drowning. After he is rescued by the Ghost and its captain, Wolf Larson, Humphrey discovers that there are fates far worse than death.

On Larsen's hell-ship, the dilettante hero is forced to slave as cabin boy and humble seaman. Over the seven months' voyage to the sealing grounds off Siberia, he engages in an epic duel with his ruthlessly Nietzschean skipper, a conflict that must end with the death of one of them.

In Humphrey's story, Jack London recalls his own adventures on a sealing vessel at the age of 17. And in the vivid dialogs between Larsen and Van Weyden, he gives the clearest definition of his savage philosophy of life.

Public Domain (P)2010 Tantor

Shiver me timbers!

I was one of those East Bay residents who heard the name Jack London and started pondering which restaurant I'd choose for dinner. In Oakland, California this man's name is a meeting place ("I'll meet you at Jack London in front of the Christmas tree.")But now in my later years I worry about what I'm missing. Jack London was one of those things. So I listened carefully listened to all the samples offerings of The Seawolf, and I chose this one because of the reader's voice and rhythm.
Thank God I didn't put it off any longer. What a great story teller. What a great craftsman of characters. And he never lounges, never gives you 20 or so pages in which to catch your breath and lower your heart rate. There will be pages where he's teaching us about sailing a seal hunting ship but even there he's building tension between mates, adding growing suspicion and emotion. We remember "better watch out for that guy" and "that guy's always carrying that knife." And then, before anybody is ready for, it some storm hits or another ship raises the stakes and tests our new boy and even the regulars with threat of disaster.
I listened carefully to select Steven Hoye, and he never disappointed. This was a very physical novel to read aloud, so many elements crashing against each other. And Hoye never missed a beat. I literally forgot it was one guy after a while. The voices were so distinct. And (spoiler alert) once a woman was introduced he just dropped into her voice like second nature.
All the while I was listening, my mind drifted back occasionally to the beginning of the story, and I'd say, this guy should have been in San Francisco tonight, instead he's practically on another planet. And that is part of London's talent. He gives us a place and time that is historically true, but the environment, the world of values, language, morality, are all so far removed from the main character's home life, that he seems to have been abducted by aliens onto another planet. And so is the reader. Every time something happened that required 'normal' behavior (a wound, for example) the reader is glad to see that there is some place for conventional response and action. We breath a deep sigh to know that pockets of human kindness can still be found, though they are just hidden away behind masks of treachery.
The Seawolf is a great adventure from the very beginning to the end. Enjoy!

Essential maritime reading

Sea-Wolf contains everything good about Kipling’s Captain Courageous without the pretense, and with a much better story to accompany the coming of age at sea tale. Certainly worth a listen for those inclined to nautical literature. For landlubbers, pass over the tale and read London’s other books. There’s significant nautical terminology from the great age of sail that might prove inscrutable to the average reader.

ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT

This narrator provides an entirely new perspective on this old story and I am so grateful for talents such as his. What a ride!

From use of the language to the feel of sailing…

I am not a true sailor, trained, no real hours in blue water; you can read with need, ability and opportunity’s pen/story I should think this one I will need to read every year to remind me that even though I was never living on others legs (which once typed - feels like a lie as modern life is about forcing all to use others’ legs?), how those blisters are missed and what is meant to earn respect from my own eyes in the mirror.

Like those who would or would not survive the Yokon,
Plausible and implausible pieces are sewn together in this highly underrated book.
Is there an equivalent out there for women, a movie, Land, comes to mind,
But the description is lost to the visual and our wondering of the why? The randomness at the end of the story instead of the beginning, which lessens the value of starving in the wilderness.

Classic Phenom

The story is forever great; the prose is pure joy! But what makes this particular version truly pleasurable is the voice artist's performance and presentation.By all accounts, it is clear he meant for this to be not just a work of literary but also one of performance art. I am grateful.

excellent

this story kept me riveted the entire book. I listened to it on a whim and never regretted it.

London's Best Novel

A big Jack London fan since reading Call of the Wild in high school, I must have read The Seawolf before. But hearing it narrated so brilliantly o
n audiobook was such a stirring experience that I now consider it London's greatest work.

My favorite part is the huge storm at sea. Hair raising.


What a tragedy that he died at age 40! His huge body of work might have grown to twice its size. It is nonetheless a national treasure, as was London himself.

Not what I expected, but glad I listened

This was another surprising great audiobook that was offered for free. The philosophy of the story and the grandiose way it was performed pleased me greatly. Anyone who likes stories about sailing or ego against the id should listen to this story.

Jack London

Very much like London and performance was the best. Perfect timing for a difficult time in my life.

i enjoyed it

contains some dialogue and philosophy but i found it interesting as part of their characters who are a sharp contrast in many ways. sticks to the story well though and had a tempo I liked