• The Sea Wolf

  • By: Jack London
  • Narrated by: Frank Muller
  • Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (782 ratings)

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The Sea Wolf  By  cover art

The Sea Wolf

By: Jack London
Narrated by: Frank Muller
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Editorial reviews

Frank Muller does wonders with the story of foppish Humphrey Van Weyden, who grows stronger after his experiences at sea. Muller’s chilling interpretation of the sadistic captain, Wolf Larsen, is outstanding, lending an air of anticipated violence as conditions aboard the Ghost grow more dire. Given London’s well-drawn characters and thrill-a-moment plotting, including a shipwreck and a mutiny, Muller creates genuine personalities for major and secondary characters. It’s always possible to tell who’s speaking without the usual identifiers. One of audio’s finest voice actors, Muller performs London’s exciting adventure in a way that is completely satisfying.

Publisher's summary

Wealthy ne'er-do-well Humphrey Van Weyden is a castaway who is put to work on the schooner Ghost, run by brutal Wolf Larsen. Toughened by life at sea, Humphrey develops the strength to protect another castaway, Maud Brewster, and stand up to the increasingly deranged Larsen. Experience the crashing, relentless power of the sea through this compelling story, made hauntingly immediate by author London's vivid prose.

Public Domain (P)1988 Recorded Books, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Muller reads with expression and variety that match the varying moods, feelings, and attitudes of all the characters, dogs included." (Kliatt Magazine)
"It gave us the sense of the cold, the snow, and most of all, the primeval feelings that London described." (The New Yorker)

What listeners say about The Sea Wolf

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great entertainment

This was my first listen to a Jack London novel and I was very impressed. If you like great writing, and an entertaining yarn with a bit of depth, you'll take to this in a big way.

As usual, Frank Muller's reading is brilliant. Another classic audiobook from the Recorded Books stable.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Warning! You will listen to it multiple times.

If you could sum up The Sea Wolf in three words, what would they be?

Awesome Manly Poetry

What other book might you compare The Sea Wolf to and why?

On par with The Count of Monte Cristo. These are the only 2 books that I have actually listened to more than once and will probably listen to again. I am not sure what I like most about them. But I think some of the key components are as follows. The characters are believable, and very few books actually achieve this. Both have creative plots without any blaring holes. Both examine our motives. And they are both just well thought out and written books back when people took the time to do thing wright.

What about Frank Muller’s performance did you like?

Wait, there was a narrator? Hmm...I didn't notice, since the story came alive in my imagination. .....Yes, he was that good.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

So many it might be easier to list the parts that didn't. Only I can't remember what they were exactly.

Any additional comments?

If you like either Poetry, Philosophy, Ships, Romance, Logic or just plan manliness. Then you will like this story. If you like them all then you will love this book, because it has them all.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Frank Muller: A Reader of Worth...

While this book is no doubt of great literary value, and while its author should be lauded for his genius - the masterstroke belongs to the narrator. Indeed, Mr. Muller uses the talents of his voice to liberally enable the listener to not only appreciate the intrinsic qualities mentioned, but also to feel convinced that such appreciation would have been lost if one less able had set his voice to the task…

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Very Good

All the books narrated by Frank Muller are so good. Best version available.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Muller reads London

How can you go wrong?

Mediocre audio quality is my only complaint and I probably should only give it 4 stars because of that, but I give it 5 stars anyway for being so good.

Great adventure, impeccably read.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

3.5 - not my favorite Jack London

The book was fairly interesting in that the writing was good and the scenery kept changing, but felt more contrived, and more forced, than London's other more notable works.

Instead of a straight-forward adventure on the high-seas, London created philosophical and religious arguments between the protagonist and the antagonist, which felt out of place on a "Seal Hunting Boat". Possible London was trying to make the antagonist appear more sinister because of his high learning and still wanton evil, but I felt that these random dialogues slowed a good adventure book down with weighty and often pointless philosophical ramblings.

Would rather read Treasure Island or Kidnapped.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Adventure!

What made the experience of listening to The Sea Wolf the most enjoyable?

What made the experience of listening to The Sea Wolf the most enjoyable was that I had read the book thirty years ago but had forgotten 95% of it. So, listening to The Sea Wolf now was like experiencing the book for the first time. Listening to it was like listening to a yarn told by a sailor at a saloon. In fact, that is how and where Jack London met Captain Alex MacLean who inspired Wolf Larsen. Given that I work in Oakland, I visited Johnny Heinold's First & Last Chance Saloon on the waterfront where the historic meeting occurred. 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of London's death, so I read his book while attending the city-wide celebrations. My close proximity the London's Rendezvous made listening to The Sea Wolf enjoyable.

What did you like best about this story?

What I loved best about the book was Wolf Larsen. He was unlike any villain I have see before, but I compare him to Lucifer in Paradise Lost and to Captain Ahab on Moby Dick. Larsen is both cruel and intelligent. Every time he appears, the scene crackles with intensity and malevolence.

If you could rename The Sea Wolf, what would you call it?

If I could rename The Sea Wolf, I would call it Wolf Larsen, but I like the original title better.

Any additional comments?

Don't stop at Call of the Wild. Read London's follow-up novel, The Sea Wolf, which sold forty thousand copies before its initial publication.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Jack London + Frank Muller = Listen!

If you could sum up The Sea Wolf in three words, what would they be?

Intellectual, engaging, fun

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Sea Wolf?

When Captain Wolf Larsen describes his take on life and the measure of it.

What does Frank Muller bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

As others have already stated, the man is a gifted narrator. He offers depth to characters which makes them easier to remember.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I listen to it often. Most audiobooks I do not revisit, but this one I have many times.

Any additional comments?

Jack London and Jack London.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable Sea Adventure on the "Ghost"!

I loved this story about a sea adventure and life and its psychological conflicts.

Jack London’s writing was excellent. The antagonist, Captain Wolf Larson, was the best villain!

I also loved the romance that London included midway through the book between Van Weyden and the poet Maud Brewster.

I agree with those who feel that it was one of Jack London’s best writings. I highly recommend this audible!

Frank Muller’s narration was also masterful.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent narration of a modern. literary classic

Jack London's timeless tale of the rigors of life aboard a sealing. schooner. Each of the characters is brought to give life by exceptional narration. After nearly 50 audio books, this narrator stands out among the best!

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