The Jungle (Bantam Classics) (Ausgabe 1981)

It seems wrong to say I enjoyed this book because it was such a heart-wrenching story, but I did. It was almost like being unable to pull your eyes away from a horrific car crash as the main character Jurgis suffers throughout his working life. Anything that could go wrong for him and his family did go wrong.

I know what it's like to be out of work and to have to work the most menial jobs because that's all you can get, but at least in this day and age we have welfare benefits and employment law to protect us when things do go wrong. But poor Jurgis had none of that. I felt so sorry for him and his family as everytime they dreamed of doing something good and improving their lives it was ripped away from them by injury, tragedy, deceit or exploitation.

What makes this book even more harrowing is the fact that it is based upon the truth behind industry in America at the time. It also makes you think about what's changed since then, or if anything has actually changed at all...

The last little bit of the book was mostly socialist propaganda and I only really skim-read that. Although some of the socialist views probably make sense in the context of the story it wasn't really something I needed to read about in detail.

This is one of those books that will stay with me for quite a long time, and not just because of the gory slaughterhouse scenes. ( )

The Jungle is a disturbing, yet gripping novel about the plight of immigrant workers in Chicago's meat packing plants in the early 1900's. It is not a "feel good" book however, so for those who like a happy ending (which I usually do), this may not be the book for you. It is an eye opening story about the trials endured by the poorest of the poor during this time in our country’s history, and you can't help being drawn to the characters of Ona and Jurgis. If you liked The Grapes of Wrath, you will likely enjoy this book, if you did not like The Grapes of Wrath I suggest forgoing The Jungle. ( )

I feel this would make an excellent play. The main character arrives in America and something akin to with arms like these how can I ever starve. Then slowly the tragedy sets in with misfortune after misfortune. The main character is subject to the pitfalls of a crooked city and his hope is dashed repeatedly by a cruel reality. He attempts to get work shovelling and his spirits are raised for an instant when the employer calls him to work. However, when his sleeves are rolled up they reveals weak and pale arms and he is sent away. It is after his body has been exploited and rendered useless that his mind opens to the preachings of socialism that the author wished to disseminate to the reader. ( )

The graphic novel adaptation took me about 10 minutes to read. But as other reviewers have noted the book is about the plight of immigrants. It just happened to be set in a meat packing plant. It makes one realize that undocumented immigrants today are only a little better of than those in The Jungle. Although today's meat packing plants are better we would still be disgusted by them. Don't get me started on factory farms. ( )