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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
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
Whimsical, light, and fun. I haven’t read a book this quickly in a long time - and I’d read it again in a heartbeat!
It's fun to read a book about travel when Hong Kong "was a little English colony near the Chinese coast." A book that predates the international date line, this story focuses more on train schedules and shipping lanes than one would think, given its popularity in pop culture. (There's no hot air balloon! Why do all the covers include a hot air balloon!) Verne skips the action around rather randomly, not seeing fit to include anything interesting happening in Europe or on several of the ocean voyages. He clearly had more research on some parts of the world than others, suddenly throwing in a wealth of detail about Japan or San Francisco while mostly ignoring the Middle East and other areas. He even has an entire American Indian battle happen off page, for which the anticlimactic resolution should cause him to be booed for all eternity. Fogg is a rather unsatisfying stiff hero but I would die for Passepartout. The less said about Aouda, who is rescued and luckily (for her) happens to be educated like the English and "fair as a European", the better. (Standard disclaimers of 19th century racism and sexism apply.)
I enjoyed this classic completely! I even checked out a version of the book which had added photos and maps, which I loved! I loved the characters and feel I could learn a great deal from the enigmatic Fogg.
This is one of my favorite books from childhood! I love reading about Phileas Fogg’s adventure around the world and all the interesting places he saw along the way. I recommend The Whole Story edition that is, sadly, out of print. It has beautiful illustrations that make the story come alive!
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not at the top of my list when it comes to pieces of classic literature, but an intriguing and exhilarating story nonetheless.
A good adventure story is always satisfying and inspiring.
I began reading something else at the same time and it took all my attention away.