The Jungle Book is an interesting collection of short stories loosely linked by a jungle theme. The most famous, and best stories in the collection revolve around Mowgli the small boy adopted by wolves and raised by the animals of the jungle. These surprisingly dark tales and focus on the themes cruelty of man and the dangers of the wild and are well worth a read.

Outside of the stories of Mowgli there are several poems, which are fine but no really my thing. There are also a few other stories that are an odd mix that don't really stick in the memory once you've read them.

Honestly…a little overrated. Like it was a fine book but I thought it could have been better. One of the rare occasions imo where the movie turned out better than the book.

Less a single book and more a collection of short stories and related poetry. Kipling clearly had a deep love of India, at least as much as a through-and-through colonial could have. For instance, he doesn't seem to mind taking parts of the culture and making up his own lore and poems rather than showing any interest in the real thing. Cultural appropriation doesn't seem to cover it. It's more like cultural fanfiction. There's also a few instances of racism here and there, but honestly, for the time and place, it's nothing too egregious.

Like Jack London, Kipling also appears to have had a deep love for wild places and creatures. However, unlike London, Kipling doesn't seem to understand them all that well. Or, at least, he doesn't seem to care about demonstrating his understanding. I guess it's wilderness fanfiction. Animals talk with very human attitudes and it's all a bit more Charlotte's Web than anything. I can see why Disney decided it was ripe for adaptation.

I think I actually most enjoyed the last story, in which all the different domesticated (or at least tamed) beasts of burden discussed their roles in a war and what frightened them and why they obeyed humans. It was less Charlotte's Web and more Animal Farm, and it actually made me think and even laugh a little in places. It was also the least like the other stories in the collection, so maybe it's more a case of me damning the rest of the book rather than praising this section.

Always wanted to read this. Last year we visited the house in Vermont where Kipling wrote it. I have seen this story retold in movies and comics. Much more substance in the original.

"Now Chil the Kite brings home the night
That Mang the Bat sets free--
The herds are shut in byre and hut,
For loosed till dawn are we.
This is the hour of pride and power,
Talon and tush and claw.
Oh, hear the call! - Good hunting all
That keep the Jungle Law!"
Night-song in the jungle


'The Jungle Book' by Rudyard Kipling is a book of delightful short stories and poem-songs about talking animals. Five of the stories follow Mowgli, who as a human toddler was separated from his parents after Shere Khan, the tiger, tried to attack the family in the jungles of India. Instead of ending up as a meal for Shere Khan, Mowgli is raised eventually by two wolves who see him as one of their cubs. But first, a meeting was called and the ethics of adopting a manchild were debated by the pack. The matter is settled when Baloo, the bear, agrees to accept Mowgli as a student to teach him the Law of the Jungle; and Bagheera, the black panther, agrees to take the pack to a newly killed bull in exchange for Mowgli's acceptance into the pack. The wolf pack take the deal, but Shere Khan becomes Mowgli's mortal enemy.

Mowgli has a number of adventures which are not all entirely pleasant, but I have this strong feeling it was on the whole fun to be a feral child!

Other talking animal stories are included which showcase a variety of wild and domesticated animals who find Mankind and Nature directs them towards certain choices and troubles. Their personalities and inclinations direct their fates somewhat, but, gentle reader, I found them all to be wonderful creatures. However, I admit to favoring Rikki Tikki Tavi, the mongoose, most of all!

Mature children will adore this book, especially if they are able to get an edition with illustrations, but if you are familiar with the Disney movie version only, I must emphasize the unabridged book version has animal deaths, by hunting.