Customer Reviews

Smoke Bellew

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was given to me as a child. I always thought it was one of the funniest books I'd ever had. I especially loved the chapter: A Corner on Eggs. Somewhere in growing up I lost the book. I wanted to share it with my children, then my grandchildren, but I never could find it again - even in editions perporting to be complete compilations of Jack London's work. To my amazement, here it is suddenly one click away at Amazon. I'm beyond thrilled. The book has everything: Comedy, adventure in Yukon Territory, excitment of the gold rush days, and great characters. Rediscover, or discover a little known London work that is worth the wait.

I thought this book was encouraging, adventurous, and well done. I felt sad, betrayed, upset, and happy throughout the whole book. It was a great read.

I've had this book in my personal library for years and have read it over and over. It has everything - a little drama, some comedy, lots of nature, a variety of interesting characters. I'm always disappointed when I get to the last page because I want it to go much longer.

As good as almost everything Jack London wrote and much better. For any ages. Buy the book for your kids!

This is more of a short story collection featuring the same characters than a flowing novel - so please be prepared. That said, Kit "Smoke" Bellew and his sidekick, Shorty, are loveable, funny, spirited, and you won't regret spending a few hours reading about their adventures in the Klondike during the Gold Rush. This book also features some pretty kick-butt female heroines. And as always, Jack London is able to make you feel like you are right there with the characters, inhaling the bitter cold air of the North.

"Smoke Bellew," a group of short stories, was published in book form in 1912. It takes us to the sub-zero temperatures of the Klondike during the Alaskan gold-rush days of 1897 in more London scribed adventures supporting his belief in Darwin's theory: Survival of the Fittest. His hero is Smoke Bellew, nee Christopher, who -- much like London's intellectual but physically soft character Humphrey van Weyden from his 1909 "Sea Wolf" novel -- has to overcome huge challenges to stand on his feet and become a man to be reckoned with. His adversaries include ruthless prospectors, cheating gamblers, savage Indians, and Mother Nature at her unforgiving worst. On his side is fellow prospector Shorty, a precursor of Gabby Hayes. Because these are short stories, there are a number of loose ends throughout, but that detracted only a little from the overall book. A word of caution: As a result of the London copyright having expired, a number of publishers have their own version of this book on the market. Just make sure you buy a book with all twelve chapters and you will be okay.

Great book but be aware - EasyRead Edition is not complete, it has only six stories out of twelve. Go for ISBN-10 142641983X for the full version.

some interesting stories here. L can be sly, descriptive, philosophical, straightforward, psychological..... he shows his talents in this book. most of all, L can be interesting. it is easy to read and understand his stories, so it is never a great disappointment when he delivers a story that's not so great. there is little greatness here, though