The Jungle (Graphic Novel)

Upton Sinclair’s novel The Jungle was one of those seminal books that effected broad social change. Have you read it? The Jungle exposes the horrors faced by a family working in the Stockyards and meatpacking industry in Chicago. At the turn of the twentieth century, millions of European immigrants risked everything to come to the United States in search of a better life. Hardworking and dedicated, but with limited (or no) English, they were exploited and abused, forced to work in the most unsafe and unsanitary conditions.

This is a tragic story, and hard to read, as the family’s misfortunes accrue – although there is some hope at the end when the family finally finds some help through the Socialist Party and Workers’ Unions. It is vivid and compelling, whether you agree with Sinclair’s politics or not. This graphic novel adaptation is a great introduction to Sinclair’s novel, with vigorous illustrations that draw you into this family’s world of hardship, and love. The family’s trials are hard to stomach, but the graphic novel is not gratuitous – if anything, this adaptation presents Sinclair’s findings a little too mildly. But start here. You may find it has some relevance to the problems of our day as well.