Jack London wrote adventure stories set in wild places and often explored themes of survival and social inequality. If you enjoy books with similar themes of survival, man versus nature, and social commentary, then you might find some authors here to add to your reading list.
If you enjoy Jack London’s vivid tales of adventure and survival against the odds, Daniel Defoe might be exactly what you’re looking for. Defoe is best remembered for his classic novel, “Robinson Crusoe.”
In this book, Crusoe finds himself shipwrecked on a deserted island, entirely alone. With only his ingenuity and resourcefulness, he faces the harsh reality of isolation.
Crusoe learns to survive, builds shelter, hunts for food, and tackles loneliness, hardship, and unexpected events across many years. Defoe creates a realistic portrayal of inner strength and perseverance that pulls readers deep into Crusoe’s experience.
If London’s portrayal of humanity’s resilience captivates you, “Robinson Crusoe” offers a similarly powerful exploration of how individuals overcome tough challenges in the wild.
Books by Edgar Rice Burroughs offer adventurous worlds that appeal to fans of Jack London’s vivid storytelling and wilderness settings. In “Tarzan of the Apes,” Burroughs introduces readers to a thrilling tale of survival and identity.
The story follows Tarzan, a child raised by apes in the African jungle after losing his parents as an infant. Tarzan grows strong and clever in the wild, adapting to the challenges of animal life.
His life changes dramatically when he encounters humans and begins to question his own origins and belonging. Burroughs creates a richly detailed environment full of danger, courage, and discovery, elements that admirers of London’s novels will appreciate.
If you enjoy Jack London’s tales of adventure and the raw struggle between humans and nature, you might appreciate Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway’s clear and direct storytelling brings readers closer to characters facing tough realities head-on.
In his short novel “The Old Man and the Sea,” Hemingway tells the story of Santiago, an elderly fisherman determined to end his streak of bad luck at sea.
Far off the coast, Santiago finally catches an enormous marlin, a magnificent fish that tests all his strength and resilience. Their struggle lasts days, as the fisherman must rely on skill, patience, and sheer perseverance out in the open waters.
This powerful yet simple narrative explores human courage, dignity, and our connection to the natural world.
Herman Melville was an American author known for adventurous sea tales about characters facing nature’s brutal challenges and moral questions.
If you enjoy Jack London’s themes of survival against harsh environments and the struggle between humans and nature, Melville might catch your interest too.
In his classic novel “Moby-Dick,” Melville explores the obsessive journey of Captain Ahab as he hunts down a massive white whale. Ahab’s relentless quest leads to gripping encounters at sea, reveals the strength and fragility of human nature, and tests the crew’s loyalty.
The book takes readers from stormy oceans to scenes of courage, conflict, and philosophical reflection, making “Moby-Dick” a memorable read for anyone drawn to stories of adventure and intense realism.
Joseph Conrad was a writer known for vivid portrayals of adventure, exploration, and the conflicts within the human heart. If Jack London’s stories of survival and moral struggles appeal to you, Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” could be fascinating to explore.
The novel follows the journey of Marlow, a steamboat captain tasked with navigating the dense jungles of the Congo River in search of the mysterious trader, Kurtz.
Conrad explores the darkness that exists within humanity itself as Marlow travels deeper into the wilderness and confronts the unsettling reality of colonial greed and madness.
The narrative captures a powerful exploration of big questions about morality, civilization, and the true nature of humanity.
Readers who enjoy Jack London’s adventure-packed tales might also appreciate Mark Twain. Twain’s stories bring humor and vivid snapshots of life along the Mississippi River.
One of his most famous books, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” follows Huck, a carefree boy who escapes his troubled family life. He teams up with Jim, an escaped slave, and they raft down the Mississippi, encountering challenges and odd characters along the way.
The story mixes humor and adventure with thoughtful observations about friendship, freedom, and the realities of life in the American South. Twain’s clear, relatable style and insightful storytelling make this classic entertaining and memorable.
Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish author known for adventure stories that explore the human spirit amid wild and untamed places. Readers who love Jack London will probably enjoy Stevenson’s classic, “Treasure Island.”
In this novel, young Jim Hawkins discovers a treasure map and joins a voyage led by a friendly captain and a suspicious crew, including the memorable character Long John Silver.
Once they arrive on the island, a tense and dangerous quest for buried treasure begins, testing loyalties and courage.
The vivid storytelling and exploration of survival themes make Stevenson’s tale appealing to anyone who enjoys Jack London’s adventures in harsh landscapes and gripping scenarios.
Rudyard Kipling was an English author known for stories filled with adventure, rich settings, and strong characters. If you’re a fan of Jack London’s vivid tales of nature and survival, Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” is a classic worth reading.
The book follows Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves in the jungles of India. Mowgli faces dangers and friendships among animals as he learns the ways of the jungle. The vivid storytelling and exploration of the natural world echo themes readers enjoy in Jack London’s works.
Kipling creates memorable characters such as Baloo the bear and Bagheera the black panther. Through these adventures, Kipling captures the tension between the wild and the civilized world.
Zane Grey was an American author best known for his Western adventures set in the vast American frontier. If you enjoyed Jack London’s vivid tales of wilderness survival, you might find Grey’s novel “Riders of the Purple Sage” fascinating.
This classic story takes readers to the rugged Utah landscape. Here a young woman named Jane Withersteen must defend her ranch from powerful forces determined to force her into submission.
The arrival of a mysterious gunman named Lassiter turns the events into a tense struggle for justice. Grey’s ability to describe wild lands, quiet heroes, and powerful conflicts captures readers who appreciate stories of adventure and human resilience.
Cormac McCarthy is an American author known for raw, vivid storytelling set against harsh natural landscapes and human struggles, themes readers of Jack London will appreciate.
In his novel “The Road,” McCarthy portrays a father and son’s journey across a desolate, post-apocalyptic America. The grim, barren setting tests their survival and relationship as they face hunger, despair, and the threat of other desperate survivors.
The sparse yet powerful prose, combined with deep explorations of humanity’s resilience and morality, offers the kind of intense emotional narrative that appeals to those who enjoy London’s rugged wilderness adventures.
John Steinbeck is an American author known for powerful books that explore human struggle, survival, and resilience. If you enjoyed Jack London’s wilderness survival tales, you might also appreciate Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.”
It follows the Joad family during the Great Depression, as they leave their Oklahoma farm behind to seek a better life in California. The novel is vivid and honest, painting an unforgettable portrait of hardship, unity, and personal strength in the toughest of circumstances.
Steinbeck’s vivid portrayal of challenges and determination closely resonates with themes readers love in London’s stories.
Books by Stephen Crane offer powerful stories of individuals confronting harsh conditions and difficult moral choices. Readers who appreciate Jack London’s adventure-filled tales of survival and human resilience might enjoy Crane’s “The Red Badge of Courage.”
This novel follows Henry Fleming, a young Union soldier in the American Civil War, as he faces the realities of battle. Henry eagerly seeks glory but finds fear and self-doubt instead.
Crane vividly portrays the internal struggle of a soldier learning the truth about bravery, courage, and himself amidst the chaos of war.
Books by Bret Harte capture the rugged spirit of the American West with memorable characters and vivid scenes. If you enjoy Jack London’s adventurous tales, then you might find Harte’s “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” appealing.
It’s about a group of people expelled from their little frontier town because of their reputations. Alone in harsh wilderness, they face dangers and challenges that test their true character.
Harte’s sharp storytelling brings humanity and warmth to the frontier, making readers care deeply for the fate of these outcasts.
Edward Abbey was an American author known for his passionate connection to the natural world and his strong environmental views. If you enjoyed Jack London’s wilderness stories, Abbey’s novel “The Monkey Wrench Gang” may appeal to you.
The book follows a quirky group of misfits who set out to stop the destruction of the American Southwest’s landscape. The team includes a rugged Vietnam War veteran, a fiery feminist, a Mormon river guide, and an eccentric surgeon.
Together, they launch daring sabotage missions against development and industrial projects damaging the desert they love. Abbey combines sharp humor with vivid descriptions of rugged landscapes to create a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Jack Schaefer was an American author known for stories set in the Old West, often exploring themes of bravery, adventure, and character-driven storytelling.
Readers who appreciate Jack London’s tales of rugged adventure and strong, memorable characters may enjoy Schaefer’s classic novel “Shane.”
The story follows Shane, a mysterious drifter who rides into a Wyoming valley and becomes involved with a local family struggling against a powerful cattle baron.
Tensions rise within the community, and Shane’s quiet strength and hidden past play out in a memorable narrative about courage, loyalty, and redemption.
Schaefer’s clear, vivid prose and authentic portrayal of frontier life offer an experience reminiscent of London’s own vivid storytelling style.