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russelmcq's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
1.5
Review: 1.5 / 5 stars
It's important to remember that this book was written in 1870. Novels were just written differently and details and how they were described was different.
However, with that being said, my all time favorite book is the Count of Monte Cristo.
To me, I really struggled with the enormity of the details in sections of the book that felt..... irrelevant. I firmly believe this could have been a novella with 1/4th less content and it would have been much better overall.
Without giving anything away, that's all I will get into detail on.
Why was it given more than 1 star? Because I listened to the audio version and I felt Frederick Davidson did a great job with the narration, the different characters and really did a great job capturing the main character. I also felt that the overall story of Captain Nimo and his adventures were interesting; but if I had to read this book I would definitely not finished.
Classics I find are always hit and miss, but this one just really scraped by.
It's important to remember that this book was written in 1870. Novels were just written differently and details and how they were described was different.
However, with that being said, my all time favorite book is the Count of Monte Cristo.
To me, I really struggled with the enormity of the details in sections of the book that felt..... irrelevant. I firmly believe this could have been a novella with 1/4th less content and it would have been much better overall.
Without giving anything away, that's all I will get into detail on.
Why was it given more than 1 star? Because I listened to the audio version and I felt Frederick Davidson did a great job with the narration, the different characters and really did a great job capturing the main character. I also felt that the overall story of Captain Nimo and his adventures were interesting; but if I had to read this book I would definitely not finished.
Classics I find are always hit and miss, but this one just really scraped by.
michaelesch's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
slow-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
2.5
I understand why this is a classic and considered a must read. I can see how many modern science fiction novels and series have taken their queues from this story. The writing was sophisticated. I honestly feel bad rating this book so low, but it was just not for me. I did not feel interested in the story. I am not giving away spoilers, but they end up on an advanced submarine and they travel the planet. They get to see the depths of the sea, hunt different types of sea monsters, discover lost cities and islands, while seeing the world from the ship. There is a small amount of tension amongst some of the people that don't want to be on the ship and are not allowed to leave for a particular reason. But besides that I felt like the story was pretty mellow for an adventure book.
The more I think of it though, this is probably the archetypal adventure story. Men go around to dangerous places, fight mighty beasts, discover new lands, claim discoveries and territories for themselves. I feel like I should like that type of story, but I was just not that into this story.
The more I think of it though, this is probably the archetypal adventure story. Men go around to dangerous places, fight mighty beasts, discover new lands, claim discoveries and territories for themselves. I feel like I should like that type of story, but I was just not that into this story.
hoarderreader's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
cluttered_mind's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
cluttered_mind's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
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
4.75
regionalearth's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
miesebriese's review against another edition
3.0
this felt like a self insert fanfic... mr jules verne making up his dream man aka captain nemo
samuel_lapointe's review against another edition
How could such a wet book be so dry.
vengefuldime's review against another edition
3.0
This was funny because there would be many boring chapters, and then a truly beautiful scene when the reader least expects it. Like in Dracula, I enjoyed the fact that all the characters are a bunch of weirdos. The “straight man” protagonist to the rest of the cast could very well be another book’s Weird Guy. I LOVED several scenes within (such as the underwater forest and funeral), but man could Aronnax talk about fish and PSI and currents and fish. And then a different kind of fish.
cilie's review against another edition
2024.05.15 @49%
This is honestly one of the most boring books I've ever started. The are many, long list of the taxonomic details of fish, corals, sea anemone, sea-birds and more. In addition to this many technical details in general and anything to do with underwater travelling, specifically. I this takes up almost half the book and I would advice to read an abridged version if you want to give it a go.
This wasn't even my only gripe with this classic. There was close to no plot or drive, they just travel around, finding new things to classify. Characters are almost void of personality, having one trait that defines them. There is no depth or complexity.
This is honestly one of the most boring books I've ever started. The are many, long list of the taxonomic details of fish, corals, sea anemone, sea-birds and more. In addition to this many technical details in general and anything to do with underwater travelling, specifically. I this takes up almost half the book and I would advice to read an abridged version if you want to give it a go.
This wasn't even my only gripe with this classic. There was close to no plot or drive, they just travel around, finding new things to classify. Characters are almost void of personality, having one trait that defines them. There is no depth or complexity.