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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
My favorite Jules Verne. Despite the often flat characterization and sometimes comic representation of cultures, I believe Verne provides a good snapshot of what it was like to travel in the 19th century, at least as a rich man, and gives a good sense of the biases around different cultures from a European perspective. As far as the plot is concerned, it is also more exciting than most Verne novels, as it has the benefit of a focused goal (though most of the obstacles are easily overcome).
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-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
Really enjoyed the adventure!!
An interesting concept, but with many infodumps, flat characters, and the weirdest and least convincing romance I have ever read (which is honestly funny). This book was easy to skim, since it was quite predictable, and the descriptions are really more like lists of sights than anything else. That said, the mathematical nature of Fogg's personality is intriguing, and I'm curious to see how the ideas in the book tie into contemporary developments in communication and transportation.
adventurous
inspiring
fast-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
An amazing and beautiful book with a lot of culture inside. I loved it
Wasn't there supposed to be a balloon in this? I feel like I've been lied to or intentionally misled for the longest time. There was no balloon!
Phileas Fogg is a stoic, driven, seemingly incurious man, and I guess I'm supposed to like him? I mean, he does the right thing when it's in his path and power. So that's good. But it's a bit like if a robot or an android were making the trek around the globe. I keep imagining Data (from ST:TNG), except that Fogg has none of Data's charming curiosity. He doesn't get upset about setbacks or delays, nor is he optimistic; he really just IS. He has absolutely no interest in any of the countries or cities he passes through; and while, I get it, the man has a goal in mind, the traveler in me is raging at him.
Passepartout, the newly hired French manservant, makes up for Fogg's lack of interest. Of course, this leads to his getting into trouble here there and everywhere. The message seems to be that, when traveling, don't look out the window or go sightseeing or you too will commit a massive faux pas that will get you and your traveling companions into hot water.
I was on one of my legs in my evening commute when reading the chapter about Passepartout taking the opportunity to learn about the history of Mormonism while Fogg & Co. are on a train crossing the western United States. An Elder is giving a lecture in a car that starts with a large audience and ends with only Passepartout, everyone else having wearied of it and wandering back to their own cars.
I couldn't help it. I had a fit of giggles on the train. I still don't know why it was so funny to me. Maybe it's because it's just such a strange segment. I can't figure out why Passepartout remains when everyone else leaves, and when he's obviously not at all sympathetic.
Why only three stars? That's probably due to my irritation about the way Asians are represented in the book. It's not complimentary, apart from Aouda, and it appears that her saving grace is how very almost-European she seems. Great. So Indians who could be mistaken for Europeans are A-OK? That's nice. I have side-eye for you Jules Verne.
Phileas Fogg is a stoic, driven, seemingly incurious man, and I guess I'm supposed to like him? I mean, he does the right thing when it's in his path and power. So that's good. But it's a bit like if a robot or an android were making the trek around the globe. I keep imagining Data (from ST:TNG), except that Fogg has none of Data's charming curiosity. He doesn't get upset about setbacks or delays, nor is he optimistic; he really just IS. He has absolutely no interest in any of the countries or cities he passes through; and while, I get it, the man has a goal in mind, the traveler in me is raging at him.
Passepartout, the newly hired French manservant, makes up for Fogg's lack of interest. Of course, this leads to his getting into trouble here there and everywhere. The message seems to be that, when traveling, don't look out the window or go sightseeing or you too will commit a massive faux pas that will get you and your traveling companions into hot water.
I was on one of my legs in my evening commute when reading the chapter about Passepartout taking the opportunity to learn about the history of Mormonism while Fogg & Co. are on a train crossing the western United States. An Elder is giving a lecture in a car that starts with a large audience and ends with only Passepartout, everyone else having wearied of it and wandering back to their own cars.
"...Driven from Vermont, driven from Illinois, driven from Ohio, driven from Missouri, driven from Utah, we shall yet find some independent territory on which to plant our tents. And you, my brother," continued the Elder, fixing his angry eyes upon his single auditor, "will you not plant yours there, too, under the shadow of our flag?"
"No!" replied Passepartout courageously, in his turn retiring from the car, and leaving the Elder to preach to vacancy.
I couldn't help it. I had a fit of giggles on the train. I still don't know why it was so funny to me. Maybe it's because it's just such a strange segment. I can't figure out why Passepartout remains when everyone else leaves, and when he's obviously not at all sympathetic.
Why only three stars? That's probably due to my irritation about the way Asians are represented in the book. It's not complimentary, apart from Aouda, and it appears that her saving grace is how very almost-European she seems. Great. So Indians who could be mistaken for Europeans are A-OK? That's nice. I have side-eye for you Jules Verne.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-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
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No