The People of the Abyss by Jack London

The People of the Abyss by Jack London
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

American journalist Jack London hopes to review London’s East End to unearth the truth of the poverty-stricken underclass within its domain. His approach of seeking a guide in the form of a tour operator is met with much distaste; as is his idea of a safehouse to separate himself from the true underclass experience. He demonstrates that beggars really can’t be choosers many times, as he objects to sharing a room with other people; chooses to abandon the services he approaches; and even seeks out a ‘costume’ to look the part; all in the name of experience. However, the detail that he collects while undercover in his travels gives a perfect portrayal of early nineteenth century London. Each fact describes the desolation and poverty that surrounds him, and at the end asks a key question about the benefits of civilisation to the modern man; and how effective the local economy is managed.

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