Comments (20)

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Mar 03, 2024
Good
Nov 01, 2021
Powerful, with detailed depictions of life in and around the meatpacking industry in the early 20th-century. It's sadly relatable to the immigrants on our southern border - so vulnerable, yet initially so hopeful for a better life.
May 20, 2021bell5133 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
“Which is better, to vote for what you want and can’t get, or to vote for what you don’t want and get it?” (331) That’s why if you feel the democrat and republican candidates are equally bad, then you should vote for a third…
yellow_mustard
Mar 16, 2021yellow_mustard rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
I give this one star because it was incredibly hard to read. I couldn't read a single chapter without feeling depressed. If you are struggling with your mental health, just leave this on the library shelf.
Nov 30, 2020PDBurt rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A well written novel by Upton Sinclair who was mentioned in Gail Jarrow's non fiction, picture filled book 'The Poison Eaters' pages 62 and 63. Although there are gruesome descriptions of stockyards and meatpacking plants in the beginning…
Jul 24, 2020pacl_teens rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Set in the stockyards of Chicago at the turn of the twentieth century, “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair is a novel about the brutal conditions of the workers in the meatpacking industry. It exposed the corruption, unsanitary conditions, and…
Jul 21, 2020FloraWest rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Both a product of its time and more relevant than ever today with changes to FDA regulations, this is worth a read.
Jun 14, 2020Liber_vermis_3 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Having read this gripping ebook during the COVID-19 pandemic that struck heavily immigrant labourers in meat processing plants throughout North America, then Upton Sinclair's social commentary is as valid today as it was a century ago. …
Feb 12, 2020dissymissylessy rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
"upton sinclair showed the power that one man writing one book can have to change a nation. it is a rare accomplishment, and it makes THE JUNGLE a testimony to the power of the written word to transcend far beyond and change the very…
Dec 01, 2018
Upon my completion of reading The Jungle, it certainly struck me that this piece of fiction could've benefited greatly from some serious editing. It also struck me that author Upton Sinclair did not have the knack for being a very dynamic…
Jan 19, 2018AaronAardvark1940 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Over a hundred years old, but still a compelling read. His racism is evident, but one has to consider the time in which he is writing. As to the "socialist rhetoric" one comment found unnecessary, Sinclair was a socialist. My suspicion…
Feb 15, 2016Derringer rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Even though author Upton Sinclair wrote The Jungle (which was published in 1906) as a work of fiction, his sole purpose for penning this often startlingly and horrific "real-life" story was to bring to the public's attention the truly…
Jan 07, 2016ManMachine rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
"I aimed at the public's heart, and, by accident, hit it in the stomach." - (Quote from author Upton Sinclair following the publication of his novel, The Jungle) Historically speaking - The Jungle is significant in the plain fact that…
MIKIE7
Dec 08, 2015MIKIE7 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
An emotionally difficult (did people really do this to each other?) and important read. Though the narrative focused on abusive labor practices and health issues, it was in fact a call to socialism. This novel and others like it…
Aug 29, 2015rusty_13 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This is a tough read about the hard scrabble life of Lithuanian immigrants trying to scrape out a living in Chicago during the recession of the 1830s. A captivating story, but it would have been better had it not gone overboard with…
Jun 19, 2015
Very realistic and precise about the packing conditions back then.
Jun 16, 2013GLNovak rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This book is an indictment of the greed of the capitalist industrialists and the inhuman way they made their fortunes in the early 1900's. We follow a poor Lithuanian as he and his family try to make a better life in the boomtimes of…
Jan 20, 2012bryndisoi rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I wouldn't call this a history book. For the appropriate age group, it is a great novel and a very enthralling story. This is my second time reading this book, I don't think it will ever get old. In response to sbenger's comment, it…
Jul 18, 2011dailia rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Not the easiest read. It is definately a history book, but it really does highlight the conditions for humans and animals in the meat packing industry. It is a definate read for anyone interested in the welfare issues in the industry.
Sep 23, 2009
I remember reading this in undergrad (I have a degree in English lit). It's a great, harrowing novel in the journalistic muckraking tradition. Written by Upton Sinclair who set out to write a series of articles about the meat packing…