The Jungle

Upton Sinclair

Masterpiece Book 299 · LA CASE Books · AI-narrated by Mike (from Google)

About this audiobook

The Jungle is a 1906 novel written by the American journalist and novelist Upton Sinclair (1878–1968). Sinclair wrote the novel to portray the lives of immigrants in the United States in Chicago and similar industrialized cities. Many readers were most concerned with his exposure of health violations and unsanitary practices in the American meatpacking industry during the early 20th century, based on an investigation he did for a socialist newspaper.

The book depicts working class poverty, the lack of social supports, harsh and unpleasant living and working conditions, and a hopelessness among many workers. These elements are contrasted with the deeply rooted corruption of people in power. A review by the writer Jack London called it, "the Uncle Tom's Cabin of wage slavery.

Ratings and reviews

The narration was surprisingly good for an automated narrator! There are some times in the book when a character is meant to have a German or Lithuanian accent that sound a little funny. I wonder what would happen if that text were entered in a German/Lithuanian automated narrator. All in all, worth the savings compared to human narrator version. The story is of course timeless. Sinclair details the literal meat grinder of poverty and the degradation of quality in goods and services experienced during life in the pursuit of capital. A stark reminder of why kind and fair business practices are of great importance to ensure life is served, not capital itself. I think Sinclair's socialistic preach towards the end is a bit idealistic, but a good warning of why capitalists need be kind and focus on patronage to the collective. Quality business seeking to improve everyone's life is necessary. Doing otherwise is a waste, turns the collective against business, and leads society to chaos.