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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
This took a long time to read, but it was an excellent book. I read this years ago, but it was definitely abridged.
The first half of the book describes the ship-wrecked (or more accurately balloon-wrecked) crew. Five Americans escaped from a Civil War prison. This story has been told in many formats (from Gilligan's island to Survivor to Lost.) They use scientific knowledge to overcome nature.
By the middle of the novel, they have everything they need. The second half of the novel involves their attempt at escape, the struggle against pirates, the secret of the island, and then their desperate struggle to survive during a cataclysmic volcanic eruption. They, of course, get rescued and live out their lives in Iowa of all places.
I liked this book because Verne describes how they overcome deprivations through science. At one point they even establish working telegraph service. They struggle, but they work hard and never quit. When the chips are really down, a mysterious benefactor comes to their aid.
This is probably my favorite Jules Verne novel. It's more active than 20,000 Leagues, more interesting than Journey to the Center of the Earth, and more social than Around the World in 80 Days.
The first half of the book describes the ship-wrecked (or more accurately balloon-wrecked) crew. Five Americans escaped from a Civil War prison. This story has been told in many formats (from Gilligan's island to Survivor to Lost.) They use scientific knowledge to overcome nature.
By the middle of the novel, they have everything they need. The second half of the novel involves their attempt at escape, the struggle against pirates, the secret of the island, and then their desperate struggle to survive during a cataclysmic volcanic eruption. They, of course, get rescued and live out their lives in Iowa of all places.
I liked this book because Verne describes how they overcome deprivations through science. At one point they even establish working telegraph service. They struggle, but they work hard and never quit. When the chips are really down, a mysterious benefactor comes to their aid.
This is probably my favorite Jules Verne novel. It's more active than 20,000 Leagues, more interesting than Journey to the Center of the Earth, and more social than Around the World in 80 Days.
great action, adventure and engineering/science. nothing reeks of the 1870s more than a bit of hunting, eating & blowing up stuff.
really enjoyable.
really enjoyable.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Turns out Jules Verne knows how to write a great tale. Yes, it was too long. However, it was a great adventure that reminded me of LOST in some ways, Treasure Island in other ways, and Verne's other stories as well. 4 men and a dog are "balloon-wrecked" on a mysterious island and they struggle to survive and to live. Fun romp.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reading for research and to re-connect with Jules Verne!
The first half to two-thirds was slow because of way too much detail (as appears to be typical of novels from this era), but it was still interesting. Then the last half to two-thirds became more focused on the story and left behind a lot of the extraneous detail and was excellent. Also: I totally did not see that ending coming.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
So, not my favorite Jules Verne; I found myself skipping a lot of parts on how the castaways used their ingenuity to make things. And my my how easily things worked out for them! I almost marked it as fantasy because it seemed like no matter what the issue, it was immediately and easily solved. Either through good, old-fashioned know how by Cyrus Harding, their intrepid leader, or pure luck, eg, finding what they need washed up on the shore. It was pretty annoying. But I loved the castaways, especially Cyrus Harding and Ayrton. They saved the novel for me. Also it picked up there at the end, and I found myself wanting to know what happened, not just wanting to finish the book :) I'd say it was worth the journey.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No