The Star Rover (Annotated - Includes Essay and Biography)
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A magnificent literary accomplishment. (Irving Stone )
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
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Novelist and short story writer Jack London (1876-1916) contemplated the strange theory of astral travel, penning "The Star Rover" in 1914. The last of London's fifty books, which include "White Fang" and "The Call of the Wild", "The Star Rover" centres on San Quentin prison inmate Darrell Standing, a former university professor who is serving a life sentence for murdering a colleague. To escape the tortures of his confinement, he withdraws into dreams of past lives in which he experiences what he calls his "eternal recurrence on earth." Thus the fantastic becomes a vehicle for exposing the social injustices of the U.S. prison system.One of America's great turn-of-the-century writers, London lived as a sailor, waterfront loafer, and hobo, embarking on a successful literary career based on his travels, observations of nature, and his outspoken position in the Socialist Party. Internationally recognised literary critic and essayist Leslie Fiedler, the former Samuel Clemens Professor at SUNY Buffalo, provides an insightful introduction to this lost classic.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dieing a little,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Star Rover ("Rebel Inc." Classics) (Paperback)
London's last work is a soaring piece of writing. Based on London's friend Ed Morell's memories of his time in solitary, "The Star Rover" is much more than a mere prison tale. London addresses man's subjugation at the hands of the state who willingly blinds the public and shows the plight of the incarcerated. What strikes first is Standing's plight-placed in solitary having been framed by the poet. Standing incurs the wrath of the governor and warders alike which leads to his 'jacketing'. From here the themes of the novel take off: the self, the state, god, what it means to exist and a portrait of cruelty. Standling traverses time in his period in solitary and revisits previous lives leading to varied and often humerous encounters. One small facet of London's skill is shown in the different voices each character has when depicted in the narrative: all are different from Standing's and are morally different. London depicts 'what it means to die a little' with incredible skill, diction and imagery: the first time he 'dies' the most remarkable language and imagery is evoked to show his star walking. "The Star Rover" will change you. It will show you incarceration. It will show you a believable spirituality. It will make you question what it means to exist.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Anotherr outstanding London novel,
By Sandman (London, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Star Rover (Modern Library) (Paperback)
Bought this as a random London book, that I'd never heard about, and yet again I was suprised by how brilliantly written and engaging the story was. It's also a unusual story for the time, it wouldn't be out of place if written today, in fact they'd probably make a film out of it, most likely starring Christian Bale.Anyway, excellent read, just a shame I finished it in one sitting
4.0 out of 5 stars
Memorable and beautifully written.,
By Paul Harris (near Brecon, Wales) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Star Rover ("Rebel Inc." Classics) (Paperback)
An unusual book, and not like London's other work. The 'stories within the story' setup is both great fun and the whole thing is quite a memorable read.
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