Merisusi
1909
A novel written in the early 20th century. The story begins with a focus on the main character, who reflects on a fateful trip across San Francisco Bay aboard the ship named ''Martinez''. The opening scene introduces an engaging mix of philosophical musings and tense maritime situations that hint at the impending disaster the protagonist will face. The beginning of the narrative unfolds as the main character recounts his journey to visit a friend, Charley Furuseth, and the atmospheric tension aboard the ship as it encounters a heavy fog. The protagonist’s observations reveal his thoughts on the division of labor at sea, leading to a sudden and horrific ship collision that culminates in chaos and panic among the passengers. As the ''Martinez'' begins to sink, a vivid depiction of survival instinct emerges, along with the protagonist's desperate struggle in frigid waters, foreshadowing the harsh realities he will confront in the days to come. The collision not only sets the stage for the ensuing survival narrative but also challenges the main character’s sense of self and resilience, hinting at deeper themes of human nature and moral complexity to be explored throughout the novel.
Editions
X-Ray
“Why, if there is anything in supply and demand, life is the cheapest thing in the world. There is only so much water, so much earth, so much air; but the life that is demanding to be born is limitless. Nature is a spendthrift. Look at the fish and their millions of eggs. For that matter, look at you and me. In our loins are the possibilities of millions of lives. Could we but find time and opportunity and utilize the last bit and every bit of the unborn life that is in us, we could become the fathers of nations and populate continents. Life? Bah! It has no value. Of cheap things it is the cheapest. Everywhere it goes begging. Nature spills it out with a lavish hand. Where there is room for one life, she sows a thousand lives, and it's life eats life till the strongest and most piggish life is left.””
— Jack London
“But, – and there it is, – we want to live and move, though we have no reason to, because it happens that it is the nature of life to live and move, to want to live and move. If it were not for this, life would be dead. It is because of this life that is in you that you dream of your immortality.””
— Jack London
“My mistake was in ever opening the books.””
— Jack London
“You stand on dead men's legs. You've never had any of your own. You couldn't walk alone between two sunrises and hustle the meat for your belly””
— Jack London
“Pray do not interrupt me," he wrote. "I am smiling.””
— Jack London
“I was jealous; therefore I loved.””
— Jack London
“Do you know the only value life has is what life puts upon itself? And it is of course overestimated, for it is of necessity prejudiced in its own favour. Take that man I had aloft. He held on as if he were a precious thing, a treasure beyond diamonds of rubies. To you? No. To me? Not at all. To himself? Yes. But I do not accept his estimate. He sadly overrates himself. There is plenty more life demanding to be born. Had he fallen and dripped his brains upon the deck like honey from the comb, there would have been no loss to the world. The supply is too large.””
— Jack London
“At once he became an enigma. One side or the other of his nature was perfectly comprehensible; but both sides together were bewildering.””
— Jack London
“I'll have you know I do the swearing on this ship. If I need your assitance I'll call you." Capt. Wolf Larsen””
— Jack London
