Martin Eden

"Martin Eden" by Jack London is a book set in the early 1900s that tells the story of Martin Eden, a tough, working-class guy striving to become more than what he is, fueled by his deep attraction to Ruth Morse, a woman of higher social standing. It's a story about the battle between different social classes, the pursuit of knowledge, and how complicated dreams and love can be. The book begins with Martin feeling out of place in Ruth's fancy home, where his awkwardness is obvious, and he realizes how far apart their worlds are. Yet, this only makes him want to climb up the social ladder and win Ruth's heart, setting him off on a path of trying to change himself and fighting against what society expects of him.