Martin Eden

By: Jack London

Narrated by: Andrew Garman

Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

Martin Eden, Jack London’s semiautobiographical novel, is about a struggling young writer. It is considered by many to be the author’s most mature work. Personifying London’s own dreams of education and literary fame as a young man in San Francisco, Martin Eden’s impassioned but ultimately ineffective battle to overcome his bleak circumstances makes him one of the most memorable and poignant characters Jack London ever created.

Public Domain (P)2012 Recorded Books

Not your typical Jack London

Any additional comments?

I found this book very interesting, partly because of my curiosity about London, himself. It is a loosely autobiographical novel that gives a real insight into the mind of London concerning his writing. The book is entirely about a young struggling author and all the obstacles and frustration in trying to get published and to be successful.
The book also gives an historical and fascinating look into the harshness and class stratification of the turn of the 20th Century.
This is not at all a typical London adventure story and might disappoint someone looking for that genre. It is however an excellent and memorable book as would be expected by a writer of London's stature.

Well worth the time

Great writing, thought-provoking, vast in scope, an ideas book with interesting characters. Not plot driven. so don't expect that.

Really Enjoyable

great to be able to listen to such writings as Jack London...I don't have the time to read but being able to listen to some of the legendary works is a privilege.

My most favorite book of all time.

Would you listen to Martin Eden again? Why?

I've read this book in my late teen years and it has changed my life.
I'm not a huge fun of audio books as the narrator usually stands in the way.
But this one was incredibly good! I loved the narration!
Well done!

What did you like best about this story?

A must read if you are an aspiring artist

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes.

My favorite Jack London book.

well narrated. recording is clear. a nice listen on a long drive. highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who likes Jack London.

Narrated well, vividly described character of M.E.

An interesting book which takes us deep into the thoughts and mental models of the protagonists and how it changes/grows over time with experiences.
Audible version is advisable as it is a long book and the narrator has done a splendid job of reading it.
There were parts that were dark but Martin Eden's persistence was motivational. The book felt like a window into Jack Langdon's own life, how else could he write and feel this way about a man worshiping literature and struggling to make a mark on it.
The book idealizes individualism and vividly paints how it is intertwined and also at a constant struggle with the society. The protagonist's character while marked with youthful energy, generosity and artistry, is also flawed with superficial love, impulsive aggression and depression.

The ultimate end of all secular materialism

As an eccentric career artist, and also having an MLA in Philosophy, I identified greatly with the character of Martin Eden.

So often, the dogma of the cynic, pretending to his integrity, but unable to bring its own end about, and shrinking under the potency thereof, will undulate upon convictions; ever learning, but never actually learning.

Martin is the fruit of philosophy--- which, has never once, given a single man the smallest part of what it dissimulated in its offerings.

I see a deep Truth in this story.

Wonderful!

This is an incredibly deep book, and it is clearly autobiographical. I felt very moved by this book, and had many valuable takeaways.

Amazing

English is my 3rd language. Even though I consider myself trilingual, I had never ever read more than some fragments of literature in English here and there, I did not feel comfortable enough, breaking systematically the flow of the narration because of my insecurity and overthinking. So I never got to read more than 30 pages before abandoning a book.
But what a magnificent story, and especially, what a wonderful narrator. If it wasn’t so clearly and well read, I would have abandoned it -being the pickiest reader and having a background in theater, radio and writing. It took me only 2 days, I couldn’t stop listening. Bravo. Thank you for helping me to lose my fear.

profoundly insightful!

I never know how brilliant Jack London was. Exploring the meaning of life, pushing the confines of reality and unreality like no one I've ever read. This book is life changing and illuminating.

A very good book.

I like this book, but it is a bit heavy. It is about philosophy, love and life. Read it.

All of life

All of life is here in the form of hero and anti-hero Martin Eden. It takes a good writer to make you love a character, and Jack London was more than good. Members of the bourgeoisie be warned - you don’t come out of this story looking good.