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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Though I'd heard of this book all my life, I had never actually taken a look at it until I set myself this reading challenge for 2022. I'd been suffering under the (perhaps common) misconception that it involved a balloon trip, thanks to various film posters and fan art that I'd seen over the years, and was slightly disappointed to find that in the end, it only involved trains and ships. And elephants. The elephants were a surprise!
It takes a long, long time to get going. There's an awful lot of (arguably, irrelevant) scene-setting at the start which, if it were a manuscript submitted today, would be slashed without mercy. Even after he embarks upon the titular journey, there's not a lot of plot movement for a good long while. When it does get going, it picks up speed quite swiftly, throwing curveballs and tightening the web that connects all the characters, and I found it a decent tale of both adventure and character.
However, the 'twist' at the end was so heavily foreshadowed -- from the very beginning of the tale, and repeatedly throughout -- that I was almost irritated when it was finally 'revealed'. Something something Chekhov's gun.
I'm glad I read it, and it was better than I expected in the middle, but for all its pedigreed claims to fame I can't say it was a story that blew me away.
It takes a long, long time to get going. There's an awful lot of (arguably, irrelevant) scene-setting at the start which, if it were a manuscript submitted today, would be slashed without mercy. Even after he embarks upon the titular journey, there's not a lot of plot movement for a good long while. When it does get going, it picks up speed quite swiftly, throwing curveballs and tightening the web that connects all the characters, and I found it a decent tale of both adventure and character.
However, the 'twist' at the end was so heavily foreshadowed -- from the very beginning of the tale, and repeatedly throughout -- that I was almost irritated when it was finally 'revealed'. Something something Chekhov's gun.
I'm glad I read it, and it was better than I expected in the middle, but for all its pedigreed claims to fame I can't say it was a story that blew me away.
Having recently devoured Journey to the Centre of the Earth, I was looking forward to more adventures. Unfortunately, none were to be found.
The pace is crushingly slow, and although great distances are covered and great places are passed, due to the nature of Phileas Fogg's character, very little happens as this blank page of a man has no desire or reason to enjoy his long trip.
Characters are set up to have some kind of arc, but often with no resolution. To call them 2D would be kind.
I feel like this is either a short story that has overstayed its welcome, or an epic tale that was rushed. I continued with, and finished, the book, hoping for some kind of satisfaction but, alas, nothing.
I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed.
The pace is crushingly slow, and although great distances are covered and great places are passed, due to the nature of Phileas Fogg's character, very little happens as this blank page of a man has no desire or reason to enjoy his long trip.
Characters are set up to have some kind of arc, but often with no resolution. To call them 2D would be kind.
I feel like this is either a short story that has overstayed its welcome, or an epic tale that was rushed. I continued with, and finished, the book, hoping for some kind of satisfaction but, alas, nothing.
I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed.
This is another book which is justly referred to as a classic. What a great story, I’d say this my favourite Verne book so far. Skilfully written, an exciting and often humorous adventure story with a beautiful ending. Once more, in typical Verne style, you have four characters which are each other’s opposites in personality and somehow flow really well together and keep the story moving and interesting. Some aspects feel a little dated perhaps, but that is just part of the charm of a true, old classic. Heartily recommended.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Such a fun read and enjoyable for all ages
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I personally take Verne novels as very silly stories about 19th century science and progress, absurdly patriotic about the British Empire and with very dubious scientific reasoning. This is no exception, since any and all happenings here are wildly unrealistic, though no less entertaining and are portrayed with the utmost seriousness.
It's the writing that really makes this book enjoyable and less so the plot or the characters.
It's the writing that really makes this book enjoyable and less so the plot or the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Colonisation