| + − | Spec. 99: 129. Jl. 27, ’07. 1490w. |
London, Jack. [Before Adam.] †$1.50. Macmillan.
7–7191.
Mr. London sets about the novel task of deducing from the dream glimpses of the present day sleeper, evidences of his evolution from the ape. For instance, the falling-through-space dream is a racial memory which dates back to our remote ancestors who lived in trees and who experienced terrible falls. “It is decidedly ingenious, this story of tree dwellers, cave dwellers and fire makers, who are masters also of the bow and arrow—of three stages of human evolution going on side by side in a remote geological age.” (Ind.)
“In the subject of his latest story, ‘Before Adam,’ Mr. Jack London shows no diminution of his characteristic audacity. This is a brave endeavor to enlist our interest in these dim denizens; but it falls short of complete success. The story occasionally stirs our curiosity, but never our sympathy.” Harry James Smith.
| − | Atlan. 100: 125. Jl. ’07. 1640w. |
“It may be the result of a good deal of scientific research into the latest accepted theories of evolution and atavism, but the popularity of a work of fiction is seldom in direct ratio to its scientific accuracy.” Frederic Taber Cooper.
| − + | Bookm. 25: 183. Ap. ’07. 310w. |
“The story fails to make a distinct impression upon the reader, who finds in it, in the last analysis, but another animal story of the type that has been so popular during the last decade or so.”