Around the world in 80 days
First published in 1873, Verne's narrative describing an eccentric gentleman's pursuit of a saloon wager is charming in its simple and straightforward presentation of what may be seen as typical 19th-century views and expectations. Although many of the stereotypes and presentations of British imperialism would be viewed as politically and socially incorrect to a modern audience, the innocence and casual frankness of Verne's depictions allow readers a glimpse at how the British may really have viewed their place in the global community. For this alone, I find the novel intriguing.
The characters of the novel are strangely underdeveloped, which allows the reader to focus more on the excitement of the journey as opposed to the emotional consequences suffered by the protagonists. Passepartout, Mr. Fogg's French valet, is arguably the most developed character, and proves to be an interesting addition as readers not only discover information about his rather colorful past, but are likewise pacified in the desire for emotion that is markedly absent from the figure of Phileas Fogg himself.
In the end, I enjoyed Around the World in 80 Days much more interesting than our reading of Journey to the Centre of the Earth, despite (or perhaps because of) its simplicity of plot and character. Verne's 1873 novel frequently appears on reading lists for young teenagers, and I strongly agree with the recommendation; I can't wait until Brooks has a chance to read it for himself.
Good Payoff to a Somewhat Lackluster Adventure
The ending is one of the best things about Jules Verne's AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS, but don't worry! I'm not going to spoil the fun. The journey, I'm afraid, isn't always quite as exciting as its conclusion. This didn't come as a great surprise. It's been my experience in reading the children's "classics" (e.g., SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON, LITTLE WOMEN, even LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE) with my daughter, ten, that they can be surprisingly dry at times. Nonetheless, even when I've begun to lose my patience with the books, my daughter has always found it worthwhile to persevere.
AROUND THE WORLD concerns a wager of 20,000 pounds made by one calm, indeed imperturbable, and extremely punctual English gentleman, Phileas Fogg, with his friends at London's Reform Club. His money is staked on his being able to achieve the book's eponymous journey within the given time limit. It seems a fool's bet by all concerned, except, of course, by Mr. Fogg and, perhaps, by Mr. Fogg's loveable, faithful, pugilistic, and gymnastical servant, Passepartout (whose name means, "passes through all"). Mr. Fogg's already demanding time schedule is complicated by his having been mistaken for a bank robber and so chased by a British inspector throughout his journey. What's more, Mr. Fogg tarries in India to rescue a woman in distress, and is delayed in America when he likewise has to rescue Passepartout from the Indians. Note Mr. Fogg saving the lives of the two people he comes to most love, on opposite sides of the world, and yet on both occasions from "Indians."
Aouda (the woman Mr. Fogg has rescued), Passepartout, Mr. Fogg, and the inspector Mr. Fix travel the world on various conveyances, especially trains and ships, but also more exotic transportation such as an elephant and a sailing sledge (on snow). (Alas, there is no balloon--that seems to have been a Disney invention.) Though the world's their stage, the characters only occasionally indulge in the local color of the places through which they travel, such as Passepartout and Mr. Fix's visit to a Hong Kong opium den, Passepartout's brief employment in an American circus in Japan, and the traveling quartet's experience of raucous American politics in San Francisco. Frankly, though, this all sounds a little more fun than it actually is to read. The author, it would seem, resonates with Mr. Fogg's lack of interest in the places along his journey. As I noted above, though, there's a good payoff (even though many readers will have anticipated it), so the reader's journey feels worthwhile in the end.
Like other volumes in the Sterling series, this is a nicely produced hardback volume with a ribbon to keep one's place. The illustrations are very well done if too few in number; one greedily wishes that the publishers had commissioned more.
Nice Trip!
It is no wonder this book written in 1873 is continuously reprinted. The story of Mr. Phileas Fogg and his journey to transverse the earth in 80 days just sparkles with wit and exciting plot convolutions.
We are so complacent with the ease of traveling great distances quickly and in comfort; it is very instructive to read what it was like before automobiles and jet planes. I particularly enjoyed the description of the train trip across the American West.
Most of the times I avoid books labeled "classics". Somehow the term connotes for me someone saying, "read this, it's good for you". Therefore I will avoid the "classic' label and just conclude that this is an extremely entertain novel for all ages and long may it remain in print.
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