Martin Eden (1909) by Jack London is a semi-autobiographical novel, the quintessential and shocking story of a struggling writer. And as such, it is a story of a remarkable human being driven to succeed against all tragic odds. Martin Eden is a young man who rises above his working class Oakland beginnings. At first he is motivated to better himself and acquire an education to be worthy of the love of a beautiful upper class woman. But ultimately it is his intellectual curiosity, the creative drive to express beauty and understand the inner workings of others and the world around him that establish themselves foremost in his consciousness. Drowning in poverty and editorial rejection slips, this is the portrait of the writer as a young fierce artist, lover, philosopher, and above all, a magnanimous human being. Success comes in the end, but it is bittersweet, and too late on the level of the soul. And yet, the creative spirit of Martin Eden soars. An eye-opening, terrifying, yet inspirational must-read for all aspiring writers.