First published 1894
A human child raised by wolves must navigate between two worlds in the Indian jungle. Mowgli grows up learning the laws that govern animal society, guided by the wise bear Baloo and the black panther Bagheera. He faces constant danger from Shere Khan, the tiger who wants him dead, while struggling to understand his place among creatures who accept him yet know he is different. The boy must discover whether he belongs with the animals who raised him or with the human village that represents his origins. These tales blend fantasy and myth as Mowgli grapples with questions of identity and belonging. Each story explores what it means to follow the Law that keeps the jungle in balance. Kipling weaves together adventure and deeper truths about growing up and finding one's true nature.
Genres: fiction, animals, 20th-century, adventure, fantasy, 19th-century
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Indian Jungle
Period: 19th-century, 20th-century
432 pages · Paperback · Oxford University Press