The Jungle Book

Aug 13, 2010 Amber Tucker rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: hardcore children's lit fans

Shelves: disappointments, why-is-this-classic-again

Lesson learned from this book: having been much- and long-beloved does not automatically make a book worth reading.
The only particular reason I picked this one off my shelf was the feeling it's a "classic" of children's lit, which I felt slightly ashamed of never having had a chance to enjoy – I assumed must be classically marvellous. (I mean, I don't know if I ever even watched the Disney adaptation all the way through. I was actually expecting all Mowgli stories. More than half are not, act...more Lesson learned from this book: having been much- and long-beloved does not automatically make a book worth reading.
The only particular reason I picked this one off my shelf was the feeling it's a "classic" of children's lit, which I felt slightly ashamed of never having had a chance to enjoy – I assumed must be classically marvellous. (I mean, I don't know if I ever even watched the Disney adaptation all the way through. I was actually expecting all Mowgli stories. More than half are not, actually, about Mowgli in any way.) What I was sorry to find, however, is that these stories are just classically bad. In its own way, this is frankly one of the weirdest books I've ever read. Even its age doesn't pardon it, in my opinion.

One of my first thoughts, rather unaccountably it may seem, was "This reads like the Bible." This isn't wholly a negative thing. For example, I recognize and appreciate the often-poetic language used in the Bible, and I can do the same here. The little songs and poems between the chapters are metrically perfect (this counts for a lot, with me) and if not beautiful, are nicely-formed; in form and language, they always evoke the characters he's created for the animals. Here are a couple verses of the Song of the Bander-log [monkeys:]:

Here we sit in a branchy row,
Thinking of beautiful things we know.
Dreaming of deeds that we mean to do,
All complete, in a minute or two-
Something noble and wise and good,
Done by merely wishing we could.
We've forgotten, but- never mind,
Brother, thy tail hangs down behind!

All the talk we ever have heard,
Uttered by bat or beast or bird-
Hide or fin or scale or feather -
Jabber it quickly and all together!
Excellent! Wonderful! One again!
Now we are talking just like men!
Let's pretend we are – never mind,
Brother, thy tail hangs down behind!
This is the way of the monkey-kind.

See? It's cute... the charm fades, though, with re-reading.

Now for what I really dislike. Two words: imperialism and anthropocentrism. Actually, anthropomorphism as well, but that can hardly be avoided, to a degree, so I'll let it go.
The 'best' of the various animal characters speak like noble British subjects (of about the sixteenth century, no less – people in Kipling's day didn't even talk like this – "thee-thy-thou, overformality considering we live in a jungle" etc, it's maddening), they have their own strict Jungle Law, and they call themselves people. Could it be any more obvious that these animals are meant to represent humans? Furthermore, that the non-humanlike animals are fated by nature to kowtow to the more 'civilized' species? Too obviously allegorical = another commonality with parts of the Bible. This kind of attitude may be common enough in folktales and mythology, but doesn't excuse the gross colonial bias with which the whole jungle universe, both inhabitants and organizing principles, are presented.

The animals respect, virtually worship, the humans. Though nearly all the characters are animals, everything about the stories centers around humanity, that is the glorious courage, order and reason of the British empire. If that's supposed to be modern folktale, it's akin to religious brainwashing. Not in the stories it tells, but in the value judgements implicit within these stories. And by the way, also like the Bible, I had to hate many of Kipling's 'heroes.' Little Toomai is a sneak and a traitor; I almost cried at the treatment of the elephants truthfully and matter-of-factly depicted in his chapter. Elsewhere: Rikki-Tikki made me want to stamp on a member of the family Herpestidae, pronto. I was rooting for the cobras.

To conclude, if you're willing to accept a whack of disgustingly antiquated values threaded into not-especially-imaginative stories, you can enjoy The Jungle Book. I'm sorry that I couldn't find more to like in it. But it's safe to say, for once, that Walt Disney's job is probably better (at the very least, less offensive)!(less)

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Brad Well, I've read Kim and all of Kipling's poetry, and I agree with Edward Said and Amber to the extent that Kipling's Colonialism, or Imperialism, if y...more
Mar 23, 2011 09:44pm

Matt Brad: I'm aware of Edward Said, and that particular appeal to authority is one I find less than particularly appealing, in as much as if I heard Edwar...more
updated Mar 24, 2011 02:11pm

Jul 08, 2011 Patrizia O rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: premi-nobel, bambini-e-ragazzi

«In considerazione del potere dell'osservazione, dell'originalità dell'immaginazione, la forza delle idee ed il notevole talento per la narrazione che caratterizzano le creazioni di questo autore famoso nel mondo»

Questa è la motivazione del Premio Nobel che fu attribuito a Kipling nel 1907. Il “Libro della Giungla” non mi sembra che rispecchi in pieno tale motivazione.
Ho trovato la scrittura di Kipling scorrevole e i racconti gradevoli, ma non particolarmente appassionanti. Sono storie che

...more

«In considerazione del potere dell'osservazione, dell'originalità dell'immaginazione, la forza delle idee ed il notevole talento per la narrazione che caratterizzano le creazioni di questo autore famoso nel mondo»

Questa è la motivazione del Premio Nobel che fu attribuito a Kipling nel 1907. Il “Libro della Giungla” non mi sembra che rispecchi in pieno tale motivazione.
Ho trovato la scrittura di Kipling scorrevole e i racconti gradevoli, ma non particolarmente appassionanti. Sono storie che, a differenza di altre letture rivolte a un pubblico infantile, non hanno chiavi di lettura più raffinate, che richiedono livelli di interpretazione di complessità crescente.
La storia di Mowgli, che si sviluppa attraverso tre diversi racconti, è sicuramente la più famosa ma, secondo me, non è la più bella. Il racconto che mi è piaciuto di più è “La foca bianca” , in cui una giovane foca, Kotick, dimostra che è possibile cambiare il proprio destino e sfuggire all’ineluttabilità degli eventi che la maggior parte delle foche ( “stupide e incontentabili come gli uomini” , precisa Kipling) accetta senza ribellarsi.
Anche i personaggi degli altri racconti sono ben delineati ma trovo uno scarso approfondimento psicologico e, in alcuni casi, mi sembra di leggere le fiabe didascaliche di Esopo (anche se non c’è mai un’esplicita insegnamento di tipo morale.) Gli aspetti meno nobili del carattere dei personaggi animali sono sempre descritti facendo riferimento ai difetti degli esseri umani, mentre i punti di forza richiamano il mondo animale. Sicuramente, Kipling si dimostra un profondo conoscitore delle abitudini dei paesi in cui ambienta i suoi racconti, ma tali riferimenti sono (giustamente) appena accennati, per non appesantire delle storie che devono, per loro natura, essere brevi. E qui faccio una critica all’edizione Einaudi che non mette mai una nota di approfondimento.
Leggerò sicuramente altro di Kipling e spero di rimanere più soddisfatta

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Jan 01, 2011 PurplyCookie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: childrens-books, classics

Kipling pours fuel on childhood fantasies with his tales of Mowgli, lost in the jungles of India as a child and adopted into a family of wolves. Mowgli is brought up on a diet of Jungle Law, loyalty, and fresh meat from the kill.

"The boy could climb almost as well as he could swim, and swim almost as well as he could run; so Baloo, the Teacher of the Law, taught him the Wood and Water Laws. Then, too, Mowgli was taught the Stranger's Hunting Call, which must be repeated aloud till it is answere...more Kipling pours fuel on childhood fantasies with his tales of Mowgli, lost in the jungles of India as a child and adopted into a family of wolves. Mowgli is brought up on a diet of Jungle Law, loyalty, and fresh meat from the kill.

"The boy could climb almost as well as he could swim, and swim almost as well as he could run; so Baloo, the Teacher of the Law, taught him the Wood and Water Laws. Then, too, Mowgli was taught the Stranger's Hunting Call, which must be repeated aloud till it is answered, whenever one of the Jungle-People hunts outside his own grounds. It means, translated: 'Give me leave to hunt here because I'm hungry'; and the answer is: 'Hunt then for food, but not for pleasure.'"

Regular adventures with his friends and enemies among the Jungle-People --cobras, panthers, bears, and tigers -- hone this man-cub's strength and cleverness and whet every reader's imagination. More importantly, Mowgli learns the value of 'good manners' early on, learns that 'all play and no work' leads to unexpected troubles, learns that thoughtless actions can have devasting consequences.

By showing Mowgli in an often dangerous 'all animal' world, we see reflections of modern human problems presented in a more subtle light. Kipling leads children down the jungle path into adventures beyond their day to day imagining and along the way, he weaves subtle points in and out of the stories, he shows the value of 'doing for yourself', of 'learning who to trust'.

Included are other jungle stories not directly connected to the character of Mowgli. Baloo is a lovable bear who teaches Mowgli the ways of the jungle and how to respect it. Bagheera is a feared and wise black panther who befriends Mowgli in all situations. In "Kaa's Hunting", Mowgli is kidnapped by the Bandar-log monkeys. Monkeys are not highly respected in the jungle community because they have no leader. Baloo and Bagheera seek the help of Kaa the Python to rescue Mowgli. The stories "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" and "The White Seal" have nothing to do with Mowgli and his adventures, but they offer valuable lessons. The lesson in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" is to trust yourself and the loyalty in friends. In "Toomai of the Elephants", a young boy falls asleep on his elephant. The elephants then march off to a hill far away. Here the boy wakes up to find thousands of elephants all stomping in the same pattern, at the same time. The boy has then seen the dance of the elephants.

Book Details:

Title The Jungle Book (Puffin Classics)
Author Rudyard Kipling
Reviewed By Purplycookie(less)

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Jun 13, 2009 Zooworld rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone above the age of 13

Shelves: english-classics

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The Jungle Book consists of 7 short stories about animals, 3 of which make up the plot of the Disney film.

The Jungle Book's 3 stories are very different from the Disney movie, and in my view a much better read. Mowgli is taken in by a family of wolves, and accepted into the clan. Baloo then teaches him the Law of the Jungle, with Mowgli getting kidnapped by the apes, in the process. Bagheera and Baloo enlist the help of Kaa, who saves them from the apes and rescues Mowgli, a very different Kaa f...more

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May 31, 2009 Kristen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1001-books-before-you-die, action-adventure, childrens, classics, short-story

No this is not your Disney movie - Kipling wrote a fantastic series of short stories, only a few of which include Mowgli. Baloo is not a lazy idiot, Kaa is not a bad guy, SherKahn is killed rather then run off, the wolves are not always the noble good guys... this is VERY different then our cotton candy Disney film. And so much more enjoyable for it.

Also included are the tales of Rikki Tikki Tavi, the Elephant Dance, and the White Seal. I would have to say that my favorite is Rikki Tikki Tavi, h...more

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Jun 12, 2013 Becky rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: childrensclassics2013, readin2013

The Looking Glass Edition published by Random House in 2012 and featuring an introduction by Neil Gaiman includes the following stories and poems in its edition of The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Brothers, Hunting Song of the Seeonee Pack, Kaa's Hunting, Road Song of the Bandar-Log, How Fear Came, The Law of the Jungle, Tiger-Tiger!, Mowgli's Song, Letting in the Jungle, Mowgli's Song Against People, The King's Ankus, The Song of the Little Hunter, Red Dog, Chil's Song, The Spring Running, The Outsong...more The Looking Glass Edition published by Random House in 2012 and featuring an introduction by Neil Gaiman includes the following stories and poems in its edition of The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Brothers, Hunting Song of the Seeonee Pack, Kaa's Hunting, Road Song of the Bandar-Log, How Fear Came, The Law of the Jungle, Tiger-Tiger!, Mowgli's Song, Letting in the Jungle, Mowgli's Song Against People, The King's Ankus, The Song of the Little Hunter, Red Dog, Chil's Song, The Spring Running, The Outsong, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, and Darzee's Chant. Essentially readers get nine stories and nine poems that were originally published in the Jungle Book and the Second Jungle Book. These stories were published in 1894 and 1895.

For better or worse, this publication excludes The White Seal, Lukannon, Toomai of the Elephants, Shiv and the Grasshopper, Her Majesty's Servants, Parade Song of the Camp Animals, The Miracle of Purun Bhagat, A Song of Kabir, The Undertakers, A Ripple Song, Quiquern, and Angutivaun Taina. These stories and poems were also included in the original publications of the Jungle Book and the Second Jungle Book. I haven't read the excluded stories, so perhaps the editors did choose the best of the best to represent Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.

If I had to choose just one word to describe the Jungle Book, it would be DIFFERENT. It is an adventure story, and adventure stories are not uncommon. But even in its writing--the language, the sentence structure, the flow, etc.--it is different, or, unique. Almost all of the stories in this newly published edition are about Mowgli, a young boy raised by a pack of wolves in the Indian jungle. He was accepted into the wolf pack and two other animals had a hand (so to speak) in bringing him up: Bagheera, a black panther, and Baloo, a bear. Many stories stand on their own as separate adventures. Some stories focus on the dangers within the jungle that Mowgli faces--the monkey, the tiger Shere Khan, the cobra king, the dhole, etc. Some stories focus on the dangers Mowgli faces from outside the jungle, mainly the nearby villagers led by Buldeo.

The main animals readers get to know are: Bagheera, Baloo, Kaa, Hathi, and Akela.

The Jungle Book isn't exactly my kind of book. These are not the kind of stories that excite me. (less)

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Apr 25, 2013 Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2013

This book has been in my shelves for almost ten years, but it is only now that I have found the opportunity to read it. Within less than two hours, I was done reading it, regretting why I had not decided to read it all those years. This is the kind of book that my younger self would surely enjoy and appreciate better. The writing style was very easy to read, but not necessarily riveting. It is in the tone that bedtime stories usually are.

In this novel, the animals have such a human side that put...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Ben rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Jungle Book is a classic collection of children's tales. In this collection, Rudyard Kipling introduces his readers readers to beloved heroes like Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves and Rikki-tikki-tavi, the cobra-fighting mongoose. Kipling's stories are immersive, humorous, and highly enjoyable. Children should love things like the talking animals and the rapid pacing of most of the stories while adults should enjoy the subtle hints of grown-up humor Kipling incorporates.

In the end, I enjoyed...more

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Feb 08, 2013 Davyh rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling is a collection of short stories. There are three short stories about Mowgli, and there are then four other stories that are unrelated to him. They are each based on a different character and a different story. You have Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, Toomai, and Kotick.
The first three short stories of The Jungle Book revolve around Mowgli. Mowgli is a man-cub, abandoned by his parents and found by Bagheera. Bagheera took Mowgli back to the jungle to be raised by a wolf fa...more The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling is a collection of short stories. There are three short stories about Mowgli, and there are then four other stories that are unrelated to him. They are each based on a different character and a different story. You have Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, Toomai, and Kotick.
The first three short stories of The Jungle Book revolve around Mowgli. Mowgli is a man-cub, abandoned by his parents and found by Bagheera. Bagheera took Mowgli back to the jungle to be raised by a wolf family. He became part of them, learning the Law of the Jungle and living the life of the Jungle. It tells of his conflict with Shere Khan, a tiger who wanted to hunt and kill Mowgli. Shere Khan and Mowgli fight in Mowgli’s final story of The Jungle Book.
The other story that I really liked is Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi was a mongoose that was saved from drowning by a human family. The family then raised Rikki-Tikki and he lived with them. Rikki-Tikki discovered that there were two snakes that plotted to kill the family and take over their garden. Rikki-Tikki refused to let that happen, so he discovered the snakes’ plot and defeated them, protecting the human family.
Toomai of the Elephants is another story in The Jungle Book. It is about a young boy, named Toomai, who wanted to be an elephant driver but was told that he wasn’t allowed to do so, unless he saw the elephant’s dance. This was meant to say that he would never be an elephant driver, but saw the elephants dance, and so he became a driver just like he always dreamed.
The White Seal is another short story in which Kotick must find a new home for his tribe to protect them from hunters. In the beginning no one believed Kotick and they didn’t move, but he eventually forced them to move to a new home, protected from the hunters.
The theme of this book can be several things. I believe that the theme of all of these stories is the importance of family. In Mowgli’s stories, he had a decision to make. He had to decide whether he wanted to remain in the jungle, with his wolf family, along with Baloo and Bagheera, or go to live in the village with mankind. This was a difficult decision for Mowgli. He grew up and lived with these animals and they were his family, but on the other hand he had the opportunity to live with his own kind. They urged him to move to the village, but he didn’t want to. In the end though, he decided to live in the village, but he didn’t lose his family in the jungle.
We also see this theme in Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Rikki-Tikki must protect his family from the snakes. Rikki-Tikki was willing to do anything to ensure his families protection from the snakes, even if it meant that he would die. This shows his commitment to his family, and how important family is.
It comes up again in The White Seal. Kotick discovers the danger that his family is in and does whatever he can to get them to safety. These three stories all revolve around the importance of family. Each of the characters had to make a decision, and that decision would not only impact his life, but also the life of his family. And for all of these characters, ones who care so much for their families, it is a very difficult decision.
I highly recommend this book. I mostly enjoyed the stories of Mowgli, and Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. This is mainly because I was familiar with them. The Disney movie, The Jungle Book, which is about Mowgli, is the main reason that I chose this book. I wanted to see where it came from. It was to my surprise that it was actually a collection of short stories. I found Mowgli’s story very interesting in that he had two families to choose from. That is a very difficult decision because how can you decide whom you love more. In Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, we see the loyalty the Rikki-Tikki has for his family. He is willing to die for them. Both of these stories have very strong family morals and not many stories have them.
The Jungle Book is a classic book that every person should read. It teaches family values. Besides that, it is a fun story that I believe anyone can enjoy. The level of creativity in these stories is very high. Not many people could think of these combinations of characters and animals. It just shows that anyone, no matter what his or her background, can get along if given the chance.
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Jan 20, 2013 Rikke rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: short-stories, childrens-books, classics, owned-books

The first time I read "The Jungle Book" I was appalled by how far it was from the Disneyfied version I had expected it to be. I couldn't seem to wrap my mind around it and separate the long-held associations between the book and the movie - so I just gave up. Simple as that.

Upon reading it now several years later, I can finally appreciate the book for what it really is: a beautiful fragment of childhood-fantasies and adventures, intertwined with a very vivid cultural glimpse of Kipling's beloved...more

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Oct 27, 2012 07eva R added it

Jungle book was a really fun book to read. The problem Mowgli had was he had to adapt to the jungle. He also got kidnapped by monkeys.
If this book had a different setting it would be totally different. If Mowgli was a different age when he got to the jungle it wouldn't have been the same.
The main characters would be Mowgli. Mowgli had dark skin. He had dark hair that was long. He grew tall when he got older. Baloo was the bear. He taught Mowgli the rules of the jungle. He was super tall and bro...more

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Oct 16, 2012 Kirsten rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved 'The Jungle Book'. It was new to me because I had never watched the famous movie version of the story and didn't know it existed. The main characters were Mowgli (a boy raised in the jungle by wolves), his new parents (mother and father wolf), Shere Khan (the antagonist tiger who preyed on the weakest creatures), Baloo the bear (similar to a sheriff), Tabaqui (the jackal), Akela (the leader of the wolves), and Bagheera (the jaguar that helped Mowgli learn new things in the jungle). In t...more

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Jul 19, 2012 Ken Moten rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: short-story-stuff

*I guess we will have to address the Disney movie but I will save that for later.

The 'book'or really the main story concerning Mawgli is very well done. This story shows all the reason why this work, along with Kim, are considered Kipling's best work (though I do love his poem "IF" as well). Despite the "dated-ness" of this story it is still very well done the animals are betrayed well and I really connected with most of the characters. Okay, now we will get to my one...slight disappointment of...more

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Jul 16, 2012 John rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This collection, including all of Mowgli's stories as well as Rikki-tikki-tavi, was culled from Kipling's original, two volume collection of jungle stories. I like the thematic continuity of this volume, and including the mongoose story as a capstone played very well to my young audience.

Mowgli's journey as a boy raised among wolves resonates on a deeply human and humane level. Kipling clearly stacks the deck in favor of the animals--at least those who operate according to the Law of the Jungle-...more This collection, including all of Mowgli's stories as well as Rikki-tikki-tavi, was culled from Kipling's original, two volume collection of jungle stories. I like the thematic continuity of this volume, and including the mongoose story as a capstone played very well to my young audience.

Mowgli's journey as a boy raised among wolves resonates on a deeply human and humane level. Kipling clearly stacks the deck in favor of the animals--at least those who operate according to the Law of the Jungle--in comparison to the (mostly) powerful and willful humans that occasionally enter the stories. However, to suggest that Kipling was undercutting the unique and special place of humanity is, I think, to miss the point of these wonderful stories. Yes, we humans don't respect our world the way we should--such a message is undeniable in the stories (and in everyday life, for that matter). However, Mowgli as the central character spends the length of the stories trying to find his place in the world, among the animals, on his own, or with the humans. That he eventually ends up choosing the latter feels less like a loss and more like a fundamental reality of life--humans are humans, and we belong together. That said, the human he goes to stands as a shining example of goodness among our kind, uniting with Mowgli to form a pair of strong characters that act honorably and sacrificially when presented with difficulties and conflicts.

The stories are varied, focusing on different animals in the jungle that Mowgli associates with--the wolves, Baloo the bear, Bagheera the black panther, Kaa the python, the monkeys, Hathi the elephant, the pack of red dogs, and most dramatically Shere Khan, the tiger. Several of the stories pack an emotional wallop, none more so than the first (Mowgli's Brothers) and the last (The Spring Running) in the sequence. This is a magnificent group of tales, one that recognizes humanity's unique place among all living beings (see especially Mowgli's interactions with the animals), and one that understands the value of sacrificial love, the wisdom of elders, and the need for friendship.(less)

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Jun 19, 2012 Kelly Ferguson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: classics

You know you've been in grad school when...you can't read a children's classic without analyzing its Orientalist perspective. To read this book then, you have to do that thing where you forget there's been advances in social perspectives and take Kipling as a product of his time—a British colonialist.

Now that we've gotten that over with, I was surprisingly spellbound by these tales of Mowgli and his jungle friends. Kipling had me in a thrall, and I wanted to believe this fantasy of being raised...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Joy H. marked it as watched-film-only

Shelves: adapted-to-film

Added 6/3/12.
Did not read the book. Watched film only.

I've often confused the names "Mowgli" and "Malgudi" and never had a clear idea about either of them. Of course they are from the following books:

Malgudi Days by R.K. Narayan (first published 1942)
The stories capture daily life in the fictional southern Indian town of Malgudi.

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling (first published 1893)
The story of Mowgli, a man-cub raised by wolves and schooled in the jungle who returns to civilization as a youn...more

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May 21, 2012 Elizabeth Walker rated it 3 of 5 stars

I somehow never read this book growing up, although I've seen the animated film a fair number of times. After just having read "The Tiger's Wife" by Tea Obreht which refers to "The Jungle Book" I figured I'd give it a quick read.

I did not know, upon starting this book, that it is not merely one tale but rather a collection of tales. Some include the infamous Mowgli, Baloo, and Bagheera, but other tales I had never even heard of before. I was also surprised to discover that this book also include...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Natalie rated it 5 of 5 stars

My thoughts to this book almost mirror what I thought when I reviewed Treasure Island and Swiss Family Robinson. These books were written a long time ago. I'm not perfect when I read books, especially older books as I often criticize the stories, the writing, etc. However, I'm trying to take a wider view of things. These books were written long ago. Thoughts and perceptions of what were right, wrong, acceptable and not acceptable were vastly different from today.

After reading this book, I read a...more My thoughts to this book almost mirror what I thought when I reviewed Treasure Island and Swiss Family Robinson. These books were written a long time ago. I'm not perfect when I read books, especially older books as I often criticize the stories, the writing, etc. However, I'm trying to take a wider view of things. These books were written long ago. Thoughts and perceptions of what were right, wrong, acceptable and not acceptable were vastly different from today.

After reading this book, I read a few reviews. I think it's true what someone said in response to a scathing review of The Jungle Book. This was written long ago, and one has to keep in mind that attitudes towards some things were different. Glorifying man/the British people wasn't seen as offensive at the time of this book's publication.

I picked up this book not knowing anything but the Disney version. And to be honest, I didn't much care for the Disney version. I always thought it a dull movie. Maybe as an adult I should read it again, but in the meantime I have read the actual book.

Without knowing anything but the movie, I read the book with perhaps the naivete of a child. All the implications of imperialism, etc went over my head. I'm sure if I were to read this book again and try to study it with notes found online and such, maybe all these things other people find will be highlighted to me. However, I don't care to do that. I very much enjoyed the story. I thought the short stories in it were quick-paced that left me little time for my mind to dull with fluff details.

It amused me to watch Mowgli interact with the wolves, the panther, Baloo the bear, and all the other creatures of the jungle. I liked how Mowgli had honor and courage, and chose to deal with one particular issue involving the humans that let him into their village in a merciful manner.

Lastly, I liked the story of Rikki Tikki Tavi. I read the story in my mind, as a simple story. Rikki Tikki goes to live with a British family. A husband and wife cobra team are threatening the birds and even the British family. Rikki Tikki acts in their defense. Putting aside what people can read from this, I'm only seeing it as a story of a hero on one side dealing with a deadly foe who has evil intent. Perhaps it wasn't entirely the cobras fault. Perhaps they were only doing what nature intended. However, there are a lot of stories like this and I liked Rikki Tikki so much that if I recommend this book to anyone, I'll tell them to read his story, if nothing else.(less)

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Mar 03, 2012 Manny rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children, why-not-call-it-poetry

We are the masters of our planet, but we are not very good masters. We are, in the blunt phrase I saw a zoologist use the other day, a plague species. Sometimes, one feels the world would be better off without human beings. This isn't necessarily a counsel of despair or treachery. Our true loyalty should be not to mankind but to our genes, and most of those genes are to be found in other species who are far less destructive. It would almost be a relief if the beautiful and savage animals we shar...more We are the masters of our planet, but we are not very good masters. We are, in the blunt phrase I saw a zoologist use the other day, a plague species. Sometimes, one feels the world would be better off without human beings. This isn't necessarily a counsel of despair or treachery. Our true loyalty should be not to mankind but to our genes, and most of those genes are to be found in other species who are far less destructive. It would almost be a relief if the beautiful and savage animals we share the world with could take it back from us and relieve us of this responsibility we are not equal to.

Oddly enough, the author I know who is best at giving a voice to these feelings is Rudyard Kipling, in his short story Letting in the Jungle. The villagers have angered Mowgli and his friends. Now, the jungle folk return in force, led by Hathi the elephant and his three terrible sons. The ending and the concluding poem are unforgettable:

The four pushed side by side; the outer wall bulged, split, and fell, and the villagers, dumb with horror, saw the savage, clay-streaked heads of the wreckers in the ragged gap. Then they fled, houseless and foodless, down the valley, as their village, shredded and tossed and trampled, melted behind them.

A month later the place was a dimpled mound, covered with soft, green young stuff; and by the end of the Rains there was the roaring jungle in full blast on the spot that had been under plough not six months before.

MOWGLI'S SONG AGAINST PEOPLE

I will let loose against you the fleet-footed vines--
I will call in the Jungle to stamp out your lines!
The roofs shall fade before it,
The house-beams shall fall,
And the Karela, the bitter Karela,
Shall cover it all!

In the gates of these your councils my people shall sing,
In the doors of these your garners the Bat-folk shall cling;
And the snake shall be your watchman,
By a hearthstone unswept;
For the Karela, the bitter Karela,
Shall fruit where ye slept!

Ye shall not see my strikers; ye shall hear them and guess;
By night, before the moon-rise, I will send for my cess,
And the wolf shall be your herdsman
By a landmark removed,
For the Karela, the bitter Karela,
Shall seed where ye loved!

I will reap your fields before you at the hands of a host;
Ye shall glean behind my reapers, for the bread that is lost,
And the deer shall be your oxen
By a headland untilled,
For the Karela, the bitter Karela,
Shall leaf where ye build!

I have untied against you the club-footed vines,
I have sent in the Jungle to swamp out your lines.
The trees--the trees are on you!
The house-beams shall fall,
And the Karela, the bitter Karela,
Shall cover you all!

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Jan 24, 2012 SwensonBooks rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: reluctant readers, any young children

Shelves: danielle

For a comic book, its visual design is superb. Campfire’s latest adaptation, Rudyard Kipling’s classic The Jungle Book, is absolutely gorgeous: it’s not in the same playing field as popular superhero comics by DC and Marvel, that’s for sure. (Feel free to disagree, but neither Spiderman nor Green Lantern has ever been drawn so crisply or in colors so rich.) Children will love the drawings and parents will appreciate Campfire’s mission to make classics of literature (and other stories of historic...more For a comic book, its visual design is superb. Campfire’s latest adaptation, Rudyard Kipling’s classic The Jungle Book, is absolutely gorgeous: it’s not in the same playing field as popular superhero comics by DC and Marvel, that’s for sure. (Feel free to disagree, but neither Spiderman nor Green Lantern has ever been drawn so crisply or in colors so rich.) Children will love the drawings and parents will appreciate Campfire’s mission to make classics of literature (and other stories of historical, mythological, and biographical import) compelling for reluctant readers. Many publishers are adapting classics of literature for the comic book medium to engage young readers. I’ve seen the graphic adaptations in bookstores and on library shelves and I’ve yet to see one so compelling, fresh, and fun. It’s hard not to connect with a story when it looks flat-out beautiful. And it must be stated that the size of the book, slim and light, helps too.

Every page of Campfire’s The Jungle Book contains vivid and colorful illustrations. Frankly, it’s a refreshing change from many of its digital counterparts. I find graphic novels in e-format unappealing because, by zooming in on each panel to read the text, you lose the emotional effect of the whole. The physical book in hand, Campfire’s The Jungle Book captivates readers through art and design. The lush colors of the forest, the murky and inky greens and browns in stark contrast to the inky purple of panther pelt and bright orange of tiger fur, make the cute, cartoony animals made iconic by Disney flat by contrast and, well, horrifically two-dimensional. Mowgli is drawn sharp, his lanky human limbs threatening, during high tension, passionate scenes. When he is playful and adventurous, learning the rules of the jungle with Baloo, he is drawn softer and rounder to emphasize his youth and naïveté. The scheming monkeys are eerie and manic. Shere Khan and his gang of jackals look malicious, even blood-thirsty. The humans look fragile yet cold and unwelcoming; a tribe all of their own, on their own.

I will say that as an adult reader the writing was a tad disappointing, though it is more poetic than the Disney version. The language is truer to Kipling’s prose but the translation is not entirely cohesive. Several scenes don’t transition well, such as when Mowgli leaves the jungle to live among the humans. Plus, I was put off by how awkward and stiff the language was for between the wolves and Shere Khan. In all, the story could have been better developed. If the series is in fact “inspired by [an] enduring relationship between a campfire and gripping storytelling,” for me it fell a bit short. I was captivated by the illustrations, the graphic rendering of the tale, but not by the narrative arc.

The Campfire adaption of The Jungle Book will definitely satisfy young minds – particularly those who are reluctant readers – but it also should be left to them. If you are a young or adult reader seeking a more complex and developed narrative, stick to the original Kipling. And, let’s be real, how can you surpass a classic? More importantly, perhaps, who would want to?(less)

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Dec 20, 2011 Truly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Macan cintai tutulnya
Banteng bangga pada tanduknya
Waspadalah, bagaimana ia sembunyi
Itulah kekuatannya

Kau tahu sapi bila menendangmu
anduk tebal Sambhur menerjangmu
tak perlu kami kau beritahu,
kami tahu sedari sepuluh musim lalu

Jangan sakiti anak si hewan liar
anggaplah ia saudara
Walau kecil dan montok,
Beruanglah ibunda mereka
"Tak ada yang kalahkan kami!" ujar si kecil
bangga saat pertama berburu

Kadang kita sebagai manusia pelu belajar dari makhluk lain mengenai bagimana bersikap dan menjalani kehid...more

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Nov 19, 2011 Wingerr rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

- ¿Cómo fue la caza, fiero cazador?
- Muy largo el acecho, y el frío era atroz.
- ¿Dónde está la pieza que fuiste a matar?
- En la selva, hermano, pienso que estará.
- ¿Dónde está tu orgullo, dónde tu poder?
- Por la herida huyeron ambos, a la vez.
- ¿Por qué así corriendo vienes hacia mí?
- ¡Ay, hermano! Corro a casa...a morir.

A pesar de ser consciente (en ese entonces, gracias a Disney), que este libro era un libro infantil, me animé a leerlo porque la edición que cogí tenía como encabezado "Colecció...more - ¿Cómo fue la caza, fiero cazador?
- Muy largo el acecho, y el frío era atroz.
- ¿Dónde está la pieza que fuiste a matar?
- En la selva, hermano, pienso que estará.
- ¿Dónde está tu orgullo, dónde tu poder?
- Por la herida huyeron ambos, a la vez.
- ¿Por qué así corriendo vienes hacia mí?
- ¡Ay, hermano! Corro a casa...a morir.

A pesar de ser consciente (en ese entonces, gracias a Disney), que este libro era un libro infantil, me animé a leerlo porque la edición que cogí tenía como encabezado "Colección Premios Nobel", así que supuse que la narración sería buena, no importa el tema como en muchos otros libros. Y sin embargo, después de leído, no diría que sólo es para adolescentes, sino para cualquier lector que quiere recrear un poco su imaginación entrando al mundo de la selva, de sus reglas, y de los animales (aprendiendo reglas de respeto, convivencia, territorio, aceptación y rechazo del grupo, la reacción ante supersticiones, amistad, la familia, y la propia naturaleza que yace en cada ser vivo y de la cual es incapaz de escapar).

El libro contiene siete capítulos que en realidad son cuentos separados, de los cuales sólo los tres primeros tienen relación entre sí y son, según mi parecer, los mejores, pues tratan de la historia de Mowgli (la rana): su aceptación en la camada de lobos, su aprendizaje de las reglas de la selva, y de su duelo con Shere Khan. El autor logra infundirle caracteres definidos a cada animal y presentarlos como mismos seres humanos, incluso más sabios.

De los otros cuatro cuentos, a pesar de estar bien narrados, sólo disfruté el titulado Rikki-Tikki-Tavi (que no ocurre en la selva, por cierto, y es la historia de una mangosta que tiene que enfrentarse con un nido de cobras (genialmente narrado)).

Otra cosa, el Mowgli del libro no tiene nada que ver con el niño antipático que le interpreta en una película basada en este libro.

Si el libro sólo narrara la historia de Mowgli, le daría cinco estrellas.(less)

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Oct 02, 2011 Sam rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, children-s-books, classic, fiction, kindle, owned, short-stories

If I could rate just the story of Mowgli, I would have given this book a 5 out of 5 without a doubt. Mowgli's story was fast-paced, full of adventure and very well written. It packed an emotional punch at times, for example when Mowgli is disowned and betrayed by the wolf pack he feels his eyes start to water and Bangheera tells him that now he knows for sure that he is human and not wolf. Mowgli's inability to fit in fully with either wolves or humans was resonant too, and something that most p...more

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Dec 28, 2012 Charlotte rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: classics, read-in-english, children-s-book

Before I read this, all of my knowledge about the contents of the book came from two places: the 1967 animated Disney film and the 1994 live-action Disney film - so they're more or less the same story. (Plus I've not seen either film in years, so aside from the main characters, I went in a bit blind.)

It was very, very different to what I expected. This isn't a book all about Mowgli and his adventures in the jungle; in fact, his part is over rather quickly and then we get an assortment of storie...more

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Aug 10, 2012 Sundeep Naidu rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites

I picked up this expecting a continuous story of life of Mowgli, in the jungle...

I always wondered why the is named 'The jungle book'... I mean consider the stories of Tarzan - 'Tarzan of the apes', 'Return of Tarzan', 'The son of Tarzan' and so on.. I wondered why inst this book named something like 'Mowgli of the wolves' or 'The adventures of Mowgli' or so on..

After reading this book I got my answer.. The name - 'The jungle book' - suited it perfectly, because it is not the story of Mowgli, b...more

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Oct 14, 2011 Eustacia Tan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook

Previously, I only knew about The Jungle Book if it was the Disney movie, which I didn't even watch. The show looked a little infantile and frankly, I didn't really get it.

Later on, I read and loved The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, which I heard was based on The Jungle Book. Interesting, but still not enough to get me to read it.

Finally, I read The God of Small Things by Arundathi Roy. In it, they quoted The Jungle Book's "We be of one blood, thou and I". After meeting all these instances of...more

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Feb 22, 2008 sarafem rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008, royally-sucked, juvenile-classics

I feel almost like a traitor to the Children's-Book-Lover Club when I say this, but I hated this book. I can't really tell you any specific reason for it, but I thought it was stupid and boring and a waste of paper and time. I suppose it had a great moral about humans learning to honor wildlife and nature, and for that I have great respect for what this work has done for the world. But for me, someone already on that bandwagon, the book sucked. To put it eloquently.

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Dec 25, 2012 Jo rated it 2 of 5 stars

I saw the film as a child and loved it. How can you not like Disney? Hadn't yet read the book (how shameful as it is supposedly a classic) and my mother brought home an old copy from school the other day. So I thought what better time than now?

WELL. This book was not what I was expecting. Only the first few stories are about Mowgli while the rest of the book is different characters entirely.

I found this book quite hard going, the language was old and I did get a bit lost in places. I found mysel...more

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Aug 22, 2011 Dave rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, childrens, literature, speculative-fiction

“The Jungle Book” is a collection of stories (or fables) and songs/poems by Rudyard Kipling, and was originally published in 1894. The book consists of 7 short stories, separated by seven poems. The first three stories involve Mowgli, but the other four stories are not part of that series, nor do they all take place in the same jungle or any jungle at all. What these stories do have in common is the anthropomorphizing of animals as characters in these stories. As with all fables, these stories i...more “The Jungle Book” is a collection of stories (or fables) and songs/poems by Rudyard Kipling, and was originally published in 1894. The book consists of 7 short stories, separated by seven poems. The first three stories involve Mowgli, but the other four stories are not part of that series, nor do they all take place in the same jungle or any jungle at all. What these stories do have in common is the anthropomorphizing of animals as characters in these stories. As with all fables, these stories impart a moral message to the reader.

“Mowgli’s Brothers” is the first story in the book and was originally published in January of 1894 in “St. Nicholas Magazine”. The story is about Mowgli being adopted by the wolf family which then raises him. With Shere Khan hunting in their area of the jungle, the Father Wolf (Akela) and the mother (Raksha) find and take in a human baby. At the wolf council, Baloo speaks for the cub, and Bagheera buys his life with a fresh kill. As time passes, Shere Khan turns most of the wolves against Mowgli, and they plot to overthrow Akela as the leader. Mowgli is then sent away from the wolves, vowing to return with Shere Khan’s hide. This story is followed by the “Hunting-Song of the Seeonee Pack”.

“Kaa’s Hunting” is a short study from March-April of 1894. It takes place sometime during the period covered in “Mowgli’s Brothers”, though it isn’t mentioned in that story. It is a story about Mowgli’s abduction by monkees, a.k.a the Bandar-log. Baloo and Bagheera, rescue Mowgli with the aid of Kaa. This story is followed by the “Road Song of the Bandar-Log”.

“Tiger! Tiger!” was a short story published in February of 1894 in magazines before being published in this collection. This covers the confrontation between Mowgli and Shere Khan. Mowgli has been kicked out of the jungle and has been adopted by a couple who believe he is Nathoo, the child that they lost. Mowgli tries to fit in, but he alienates himself from the others because he doesn’t accept their misconceptions about the jungle. Shere Khan returns and is plotting to kill Mowgli, but he is warned by one of his wolf friends (Grey Brother) whom he goes to visit regularly. Mowgli comes up with a plan to kill Shere Khan, but when successful he gets into an argument with Buldeo, the hunger. Buldeo tries to take Shere Khan’s skin, but Mowgli refuses to give it to him, so Buldeo turns the entire village against him and Mowgli finds himself an outcast of both the jungle and the village. This story is followed by “Mowgli’s Song”.

“The White Seal” is a short story published in August of 1893. The story is about Kotick, a rare white-furred seal who spends his life searching for a home where seals will not be hunted by humans. He is isolated from the other seals by his goal, but he finally discovers a place that the Sea Cows know which is free from man. This story is followed by “Lukannon”.

“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” is a story from November of 1893. In this story an English family save a young mongoose (Rikki Tikki) who becomes their pet. Rikki Tikki first saves the families young boy Teddy from a dust brown snakeling. Rikki Tikki takes to patrolling the house while the family sleeps, and it is during this that he is warned by Chuchundra that there are two cobras (Nag and Nagaina) that are planning to kill the family. Rikki Tikki first takes on Nag, waking the father who kills Nag. Nagaina then swears vengeance, but Rikki Tikki gets help from Darzee (a tailor bird) and locates Nagainaj’s nest and then uses the eggs to distract Nagaina to save Teddy again. This story is followed by “Darzee’s Chant”.

“Toomai of the Elephants” is a short story from the December of 1893. In this story little Toomai is told that he cannot be an elephant handler unless he sees the dance of the elephants. When the great elephant Kala Nag hears the call of the elephant from far off in the jungle, he goes to find the elephants, taking little Toomai with him. This story is followed y “Shiv and the Grasshopper”.

“Her Majesty’s Servants” was originally published in March of 1894. This story is about the various animals used to support Her Majesty’s armed forces in India. The animals discuss their roles in the army, each taking pride in the function they perform. This is followed by “Parade-Song of the Camp Animals” which closes out the book.

This is a good collection of short stories, though there is a definite variability in the quality, and of course they don’t all take place in the jungle. Rudyard Kipling wrote poems, short stories, and novels. Having lived in India, England, and the United States, and also spent a fair amount of time in South Africa. He drew on the rich cultural history that he enjoyed to create some wonderful tales. He remains one of the best known writers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. “The Jungle Book” is one of his best known works, though most know it through films which do not accurately represent the stories within. It blends his short fiction with some of his poems, but I find it a bit too uneven to give it five-stars.
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Dec 14, 2012 Terry rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, audio-books, ya-children-s, short-stories

Rudyard Kipling’s _The Jungle Book_ is an enjoyable read. A collection of short stories, all of which revolve around the lives and troubles of different animals and the people who interact with them, it has a surprising amount of depth coupled with rather pleasant prose. The most famous of these stories are probably those that revolve around Mowgli, the jungle boy raised by wolves in India whose adventures with Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther against the machinations of Shere Khan the ti...more

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