A Son of the Sun by Jack London

Name: A Son of the Sun
Author: Jack London

The novel revolves around David Grief, a wealthy and charismatic planter on a Pacific island. He is a self-made man who has built his fortune through shrewd business dealings and strategic alliances with the local population. Grief's life is one of luxury and indulgence, but beneath the surface lies a complex web of relationships and motivations that drive him to make decisions that have far-reaching consequences. As the story unfolds, Grief becomes embroiled in a series of conflicts and power struggles that threaten to upend his carefully constructed world. Through his experiences, London explores themes of colonialism, identity, and the human condition. Ultimately, Grief's actions are driven by a desire for control and self-preservation, but they also reveal a deeper sense of vulnerability and isolation. The novel raises questions about the nature of power and the consequences of one's actions, leaving the reader to ponder the complexities of Grief's character and the world he inhabits.

By Jack London · First published 1912 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Nautical Fiction · 48 chapters · 70,046 words

First lines

The _Willi-Waw_ lay in the passage between the shore-reef and the outer-reef. From the latter came the low murmur of a lazy surf, but the sheltered stretch of water, not more than a hundred yards across to the white beach of pounded coral sand, was of glass-like smoothness. Narrow as was the passage, and anchored as she was in the shoalest place that gave room to swing, the _Willi-Waw's_ chain rode up-and-down a clean hundred feet. Its course could be traced over the bottom of living coral. Like some monstrous snake, the rusty chain's slack wandered over the ocean floor, crossing and recrossing itself several times and fetching up finally at the idle anchor. Big rock-cod, dun and mottled, played warily in and out of the coral. Other fish, grotesque of form and colour, were brazenly indifferent, even when a big fish-shark drifted sluggishly along and sent the rock-cod scuttling for their favourite crevices.

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A Son of the Sun is listed on Textopian as a novel by Jack London, dated 1912 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Jack London
Date: 1912 CE
Language: English
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Nautical Fiction, Drama, Literary Fiction
Length: 70,046 words
Structure: 48 chapters, 1,436 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Adventure — The book primarily focuses on adventurous exploits and exploration in the South Seas.
Historical Fiction — Set in the early 20th century, it reflects the historical context of colonialism and trade in the Pacific Islands.
Nautical Fiction — The narrative involves sea voyages and maritime settings, central to the plot and character experiences.
Drama — The book contains dramatic elements through its character interactions and conflicts.