Join us for a special read-aloud experience featuring “Love of Life”, one of Jack London’s most powerful and enduring short stories.
Set in the unforgiving northern wilderness, “Love of Life” follows a lone traveler pushed to the limits of endurance, hunger, and will. London explores survival in its rawest form and the profound instinct shared by humans and animals alike: the desire to live.
This live reading invites listeners to slow down and fully experience the rhythm and intensity of London’s words as they were meant to be heard. As the story unfolds, themes of resilience, perseverance, and the value of life itself emerge with striking clarity. His themes continue to resonate with readers more than a century after the story was written.
Join us as Jeff Falconer reads the story out loud in the warmth of the House of Happy Walls followed by a discussion about the story.
Whether you are a longtime admirer of Jack London or encountering his work for the first time, this read-aloud offers a way to connect with his writing and reflect on humanity’s deep connection to the natural world.
Come listen, reflect, and immerse yourself in a classic tale of survival and the enduring love of life.
If you would like to purchase a copy of “Love of Life” prior to the reading, please click here.
Please note that this story addresses difficult topics and the challenges faced in survival situations. The material may be intense and is not recommended for young children.
Photos courtesy of the Huntington Digital Library and the Genthe photograph collection (Library of Congress)
Performance space can be reached by stairway only; for more information about access, please call (707) 938-5216
Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Place: House of Happy Walls Museum, 2nd floor
Admission: $15 *Parking entrance fee not included
Price: $15.00