'Martin Eden' is Jack London's most famous novel, first published in 1908-1909.
A largely autobiographical book about a self-made man who rose from humble beginnings to achieve recognition. Love for a high-society girl prompts the hero to engage in self-education. He becomes a writer, but all publishing houses refuse to publish him.
And as often happens in life, having endured hardship and humiliation, and been rejected by his beloved, he finally becomes famous. But neither fame, nor money, nor success, nor even the return of his beloved can protect Martin from disillusionment with this thoroughly false life.