Burning Daylight facts for kids
Burning Daylight is an exciting adventure novel written by Jack London. It was published in 1910 and quickly became one of the most popular books that year. In fact, it was Jack London's best-selling book during his lifetime!
The story takes place in the Yukon Territory in 1893. This was a time when many people rushed to the area hoping to find gold. The main character in the book is known by his nickname, "Burning Daylight." He is a very successful businessman and adventurer during the famous Klondike Gold Rush. Parts of his story were inspired by a real-life businessman named "Borax" Smith. The novel was also made into a movie by First National Pictures, starring Milton Sills and Doris Kenyon.
Contents
About the Story of Burning Daylight
The novel Burning Daylight tells the tale of Elam Harnish, also known as "Burning Daylight." He earns his nickname because he works tirelessly from dawn ("burning daylight") until late at night. He is a strong and clever man who becomes very wealthy during the Klondike Gold Rush.
The first part of the book shows his adventures in the frozen North. He faces many challenges, from harsh weather to tough competition. He makes a fortune through hard work and smart business deals.
Burning Daylight's Life After Gold
After becoming rich in the Yukon, Burning Daylight moves to New York City. Here, the story changes from a wilderness adventure to a look at the world of big business. He tries to use his skills in the financial markets, like Wall Street.
However, he soon finds that the world of city business is very different from the wild Yukon. He faces new challenges and learns important lessons about money, power, and happiness. The book explores whether true happiness comes from wealth or from a simpler life.
Movies Based on Burning Daylight
The exciting story of Burning Daylight has been popular enough to be made into movies several times. American films based on the novel were released in 1914, 1920, 1928, and 2010.
The 2010 Film Adaptation
The most recent film version was made in 2010. It was produced and directed by Sanzhar Sultanov. This movie focused more on the second part of the book, when Burning Daylight is in New York and dealing with the world of Wall Street.
The character of Burning Daylight was played by actor Robert Knepper in the 2010 film. The movie was first shown to the public on August 9, 2010, in Jack London's hometown of Sonoma, California. After its first showing, the film was released in theaters and is also available on DVD.
