Reviews with content warning for Racism - Around the World in Eighty Days

Upon re-reading it recently, I have come to the realization that little 11 year old me had no idea what she was reading. I should probably re-read everything I read before the age of 15, but anyways...

This book reminded me of why I fell in love with English classics in the first place. The world-building, the pace, the dialogue, it all captivates me and asks me to hold on tight for the ride. While it is truly an exquisite book that will always have a place in my heart, it is not without glaring flaws.

Period-typical misogyny and racism is abundant. As an Indian, I was very much offended about the way Indian culture of those times has been written. While some things hold truth (no shoes in the temple and the Sati pratha come to mind), in some cases Jules Verne is totally talking out of his butt, and clearly has founded his ideas on India of those times on unreliable sources. The language used in describing people not of British descent is offensive, and the colonized countries they pass through have been described as 'benefitting culturally and economically from British rule', at par with the thoughts of those times.

The pacing starts out fast, loses it in the middle, but regains it around the end. If you have watched the movie before reading this book, beware those two are totally different.

Content Warnings

readerette's review against another edition

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adventurous informative tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

It's a good story, really, but the colonialist language of the narrator and behaviors of the characters, and the shallowness of the characters, don't redeem it enough for me.

It also feels like a fable, in a way: keep your cool and things will work out. Not a bad thing, but a little trite.

Content Warnings

ailurus's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Content Warnings

josiegjackson's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring 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? Yes

3.0

Nice chill book about the extraordinary feat of travelling around the world in 80 days however it’s the book if it’s time, smitten with racism (white saviour and culture appropriation), sexism (female character has love heart eyes as one the only description.

Content Warnings

annafdavis's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

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