Primordial Instincts

My most recent reads included Henry James’s novella, Daisy Miller, and Jack London’s The Call of the Wild.

In Daisy Miller, proper European folks look down their Pince-nezes at Daisy, a young American outsider. Though aware of their disdain, Daisy shrugs it off, but Winterbourne, the man she befriends, grows critical.

Through this little tragedy, James reveals his view of how Europeans and Americans perceive each other, exploring prejudices common to both cultures. After reading Anna K., The Awakening, and Madame Bovary, I’m just glad to read about a heroine dying of something other than suicide.

The Call of the Wild is the first book for grown-ups I’ve read with an animal as the protagonist. Buck lives a pampered life in California, but through a series of dark events gets sold as a Gold-Rush Yukon sled dog. In the process of adapting to his new environment Buck undergoes a metamorphosis from domesticated mutt to wild beast.

Great writing. But whoever classified this one as a “juvenile” read got it way wrong. London masters the way dogs act and think, but his work contains vivid scenes full of animal cruelty, gore, and violence. Young adults, yes. Third graders, not a chance.