Before Adam
112
Novel • Fiction
Prehistoric World
2006
Adult
14+ years
In Jack London's Before Adam, a person experiences vivid dreams of prehistoric times, tapping into ancestral memories. Through the protagonist's nighttime visions, readers explore the life of a primitive ancestor in a primeval landscape, encountering early human beings, their struggles, and their evolving societies. The narrative bridges the distant past with the individual's present consciousness.
Adventurous
Mysterious
Fantastical
Contemplative
Nostalgic
4,848 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Jack London's Before Adam skillfully blends science fiction and prehistoric adventure, offering a unique narrative through vivid dreams of an ancestral past. Praised for imaginative storytelling and insightful exploration of human evolution, it is, however, critiqued for its overt Darwinism and dated scientific assumptions. Overall, it captivates with its inventive premise and rich imagery.
An ideal reader for Jack London’s Before Adam enjoys speculative fiction exploring prehistoric times with a blend of adventure and anthropology. Fans of H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine and Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World would appreciate its imaginative narrative and exploration of human evolution.
4,848 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Jack London's novel Before Adam explores themes of time-travel and ancestral memory, presenting a unique blend of science fiction and prehistoric adventure that was innovative during its publication in 1906.
The story was originally serialized in Everybody's Magazine from 1906 to 1907 before being published as a book, showcasing London's keen interest in early human evolution and speculative fiction.
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Before Adam draws on Jack London's fascination with evolutionary theory, a popular topic during the early 20th century, influenced by contemporary scientific discussions around Darwinism and anthropology.
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112
Novel • Fiction
Prehistoric World
2006
Adult
14+ years
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