The Jungle
-
-
4.2 • 174 Ratings
-
Publisher Description
The Jungle is a 1906 novel written by the American journalist and novelist Upton Sinclair (1878-1968). Sinclair wrote the novel to portray the lives of immigrants in the United States. Many readers were most concerned with his exposure of practices in the American meatpacking industry during the early 20th century, based on an investigation he did for a socialist newspaper.
The book depicts poverty, the absence of social programs, unpleasant living and working conditions, and the hopelessness prevalent among the working class, which is contrasted with the deeply rooted corruption of people in power. A review by the writer Jack London called it, "the Uncle Tom's Cabin of wage slavery.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Originally published in 1991 as part of a short-lived revival of the Classics Illustrated line, this adaptation of Sinclair's muckraking socialist novel succeeds because of its powerful images. When Kuper initially drew it, he was already a well-known left-wing comics artist. His unenviable task is condensing a 400-page novel into a mere 48 pages, and, inevitably, much of the narrative drama is lost. Kuper replaces it, however, with unmatched pictorial drama. The story follows Lithuanian immigrant Jurgis Rudkis and his family as they are eaten up and spit out by capitalism (represented by Chicago's packing houses). Kuper uses an innovative full-color stencil technique with the immediacy of graffiti to give Sinclair's story new life. When Jurgis is jailed for beating the rich rapist Connor, a series of panels suffused with a dull, red glow draw readers closer and closer to Jurgis's face, until they see that the glint in his eye is fire. Jurgis, briefly prosperous as a strong-arm man for the Democratic machine, smokes a cigar; the smoke forms an image of his dead son and evicted family. Perhaps most visually dazzling is the cubist riot as strikers battle police amid escaping cattle. Kuper infuses this 1906 novel with the energy of 1980s-era street art and with his own profoundly original graphic innovation, making it a classic in its own right.
Customer Reviews
Upton Sinclair
This guy really hated jurgis and his family
DECENT 5
This book was not what I was expecting. Like many others, I only know of this book from its relevance to the meat packing industry. Its impact on regulations by exposing the underbelly of this industry is still taught in schools to this day.
Although the disgusting conditions of the meat packing industry is a vital portion of the story. This was far from the point. At the heart of “The Jungle” is an anti-capitalist and pro-socialist story. A story of a well meaning and good natured working class family that is perverted and beaten down at every turn. An immigrant family that came with hope only to find that hope be used to fill the powerful’s pockets, until they were of use no more. This book depicts a gross system where people on every level step on one another to get a little bit higher and feel little bit safer.
Unfortunately, Upton Sinclair’s book was not remembered for these things. He “aimed for the heart” and instead “hit the stomach”. Although the intention wasn’t completely fulfilled, the book is still very, very relevant. And luckily, people like me will keep finding it.
Well written and very informative!
Great story, I enjoyed the authors writing style which kept me enthralled the duration of the book. Very informative and relevant on societal topics that are relevant to this day. Wish there was more to Jurgis’s story after his strength and will come back, what a survivor!