John Barleycorn. The Road

Jack London, a classic of American and world literature, is primarily known as the author of adventure works. His novels and stories about exciting and risky travels, about strong, determined, and noble people still enjoy success with readers. Much of Jack London's work is autobiographical: he faced many trials and hardships, and he changed many professions: he was a gold seeker, a sailor, a journalist... He candidly shared with readers the facts of his own biography, particularly in the famous novella «John Barleycorn» and in the series of essays «The Road». «John Barleycorn» (1913) is a bitter and merciless confession, telling about the writer's addiction to alcohol at different stages of life, from childhood to adulthood. In the cycle «The Road» (1907), Jack London recounts his youth when he wandered through America and even ended up in prison for it. Admitting to unsavory actions in autobiographical works, he simultaneously states that this life experience was not in vain, as it taught him to better understand human nature.