Reviews for Master Humphrey's Clock

The average rating for Master Humphrey's Clock based on 2 reviews is 2.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2017-12-26 00:00:00 Martin Sinclair Jack London died November of 1916 and these posthumously published stories were written during his final year of life. The opening title story is very fine indeed. I don't think that any of the other works match it; they tend to be "tales" rather than coherent literary short stories. Often they have a tendency to ramble from one idea to another but give a very vivid picture of the society in Hawaii that was undergoing cultural shifts. Despite any shortcomings in structure the tales still have entertaining moments. "The Bones of Kahekili" and "When Alice Told Her Soul" are comedies, the former being the more successful. "The Water Baby" stands out for its remarkable and rather mystical approach to the clash of the old and new in Hawaiian culture. It was written only a month before London's death. "Shin Bones"is a rather grotesque piece and "The Tears of Ah Kim" is another story based on the clash of old and new. The final piece, "The Kanaka Surf" has the makings of a fine story but takes too long to get to the point. London's vivid and realistic technique make the collection absorbing and the wonderful title story is very moving.

Review # 2 was written on 2014-01-14 00:00:00 Bruce Mcdowell 2.5* Loved the first story which gives all the flavour of the Big Island and named so many places I know - lovely. The rest were okay - London writes well, his description is excellent, but these are not plot-driven stories,and feel a little lack-lustre as a result.