"He was a man without a past whose future was the imminent grave and whose present was a bitter fever of living."

This book is a semi-autobiographical work where the main character Martin Eden is one of Jack London's most authentic and realistic characters.

Throughout the book Martin a poor sailor develops intellectually to impress a beloved Bourgois and her entourage. Despite all impossibilities he pursues his dream of becoming a known writer.

The more he understands the values of the higher class the more he realizes how meaningless those are.

Trapped in his awareness Martin Eden explains to the reader the difference between classes and shows the sad reality of individualism.