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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
I just CANNOT get myself to care. I’ve had this book since I was in middle school and constantly tried to read it. I made it about halfway before deciding not to put myself through the misery anymore. I know it’s a classic, but I just can’t do this to myself anymore.
DNF at idk how much percent but it was before the middle.
Honestly, I liked the vibes, the part of the story I saw and I dare to say I even liked the characters. But the writing style, the details, all the terminology - I couldn't get through that. My brain didn't cooperate with this book but I hope one day I'll try to read it again and understand and enjoy it better.
Honestly, I liked the vibes, the part of the story I saw and I dare to say I even liked the characters. But the writing style, the details, all the terminology - I couldn't get through that. My brain didn't cooperate with this book but I hope one day I'll try to read it again and understand and enjoy it better.
It’s an adventure book on a submarine. The adventures are fun, the science he came up with was great. He was able to set scenery and animals fantastically.
Unfortunately for such a classic book I expected more. There is very little character development and it seems like he introduces an adventure and then hits fast forward and it’s over. The ending was very underwhelming. I feel like all the characters lacked development. Nemo was very interesting but we never really get to know why.
It had some fun moments and you can tell why it’s so pivotal to the genre. I feel like ther book does not measure up to other classics like H.G Well’s books. I think the book would have been better if it was longer so he could fully flesh out characters and plot. It was a fine read and you could see how this book setup other science fiction and oceanic books.
Unfortunately for such a classic book I expected more. There is very little character development and it seems like he introduces an adventure and then hits fast forward and it’s over. The ending was very underwhelming. I feel like all the characters lacked development. Nemo was very interesting but we never really get to know why.
It had some fun moments and you can tell why it’s so pivotal to the genre. I feel like ther book does not measure up to other classics like H.G Well’s books. I think the book would have been better if it was longer so he could fully flesh out characters and plot. It was a fine read and you could see how this book setup other science fiction and oceanic books.
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
This together with "The Deep Blue" by Arthur C Clark made me so impressed about the underwater blue world during my middle school period.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I think what's most remarkable is how much of this book can still be full of (fictional?) wonders for the average modern reader, the bottom of the ocean has not become less remote a prospect for most to explore despite 150 years of scientific and technological progress. That being said, if you like detailed descriptions of ocean life, on repeat, with scientific calculations and recountings of history, you'll have a better chance of enjoying this book than if you go in looking for an adventure story. The ratio leans heavily towards observations and discussion, rather than action - which doesn't stop Verne from jam-packing the last eighth with some memorable episodes. I appreciate that mystery remains regarding the figure of Captain Nemo, though his convenient metamorphosis from amiable tyrant happy to discuss ship, navigation and ocean to anguished obsessive bent on vengeance felt a bit abrupt.
Following the science was also tricky because after this many decades, without setting myself a research project, where is the line drawn between what is fictional and what has simply been disproven in the interim? I just felt disengaged from so much of that content because I couldn't float along clearly on 'suspended disbelief' or 'nifty facts discovered'.
Did make me sad to see the narrator recount the many species in the sea, the clarity of the water. What a difference a century and half of humanity has made (even if I don't subscribe to Nemo's misanthropy).
The promise of knowledge versus the chance at freedom is not a dichotomy I've seen presented so thoroughly as a character dilemma before, so convincingly, it added admirable tension to the narrative.
Ned and Conseil are occassionally amusing interlocutors, but Conseil is too often servile as an identity and Ned is too often a wet blanket or point of friction stereotype to make for fully fleshed out characters.
One last thing, because I'd like to believe I'm not the only one who had this wrong based on the title:
Leagues is primarily a distance measurement, they mostly used yards for depth, so it's not 20,000 leagues straight down, it's that they were underwater, traveling around various oceans at various depths for 20,000 leagues distance. You're welcome. 💁🏼♂️
⚠️Outdated and offensive terms for Black and Indigenous peoples used, a lot of discussion of all the animals which can be and are caught and eaten, (some butchery involved); assessing various ocean life for purely commercial value, lot of 'this guy 'discovered' this place', as well as explorer history; tries to mash together Biblical creationism/ Bible history with actual science/history on occasion- never a comfortable mix
Following the science was also tricky because after this many decades, without setting myself a research project, where is the line drawn between what is fictional and what has simply been disproven in the interim? I just felt disengaged from so much of that content because I couldn't float along clearly on 'suspended disbelief' or 'nifty facts discovered'.
Did make me sad to see the narrator recount the many species in the sea, the clarity of the water. What a difference a century and half of humanity has made (even if I don't subscribe to Nemo's misanthropy).
The promise of knowledge versus the chance at freedom is not a dichotomy I've seen presented so thoroughly as a character dilemma before, so convincingly, it added admirable tension to the narrative.
Ned and Conseil are occassionally amusing interlocutors, but Conseil is too often servile as an identity and Ned is too often a wet blanket or point of friction stereotype to make for fully fleshed out characters.
One last thing, because I'd like to believe I'm not the only one who had this wrong based on the title:
Leagues is primarily a distance measurement, they mostly used yards for depth, so it's not 20,000 leagues straight down, it's that they were underwater, traveling around various oceans at various depths for 20,000 leagues distance. You're welcome. 💁🏼♂️
⚠️Outdated and offensive terms for Black and Indigenous peoples used, a lot of discussion of all the animals which can be and are caught and eaten, (some butchery involved); assessing various ocean life for purely commercial value, lot of 'this guy 'discovered' this place', as well as explorer history; tries to mash together Biblical creationism/ Bible history with actual science/history on occasion- never a comfortable mix
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated