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momotan's review against another edition
4.0
Una bella storia di fantascienza ottocentesca, chiaramente a leggerla ora balzano agli occhi diverse cose impossibili anche solo da concepire e parecchie semplificazioni eccessive, ma il secolo e mezzo trascorso dalla scrittura di questo libro spiega abbondantemente queste cose.
L'inizio sembra un libro postapocalittico, con il protagonista che si ritrova all'improvviso isolato da tutto e tutti, senza più contatti con il resto del continente africano e della colonia francese.
Il resto del mondo pare essere scomparso, sommerso dalle acque, e stranissimi fenomeni fisici stanno accadendo: la durata del giorno è cambiata, il sole sorge a ovest, si possono compiere balzi enormi.
Assieme a lui e al suo aiutante, sono sopravvissuti un conte russo e l'equipaggio della sua nave, un gruppo di spagnoli sfaticati e una guarnigione inglese di stanza a Gibilterra (e che si rifiuta di credere che l'Inghilterra non sia più al suo posto). Oltre a un usuraio ebreo incredibilmente stereotipato, a un professore astronomo e a una ragazzina sarda.
Il libro è piacevole, e anche quando si scopre la verità (anticipata in maniera becera dal titolo inglese del libro) e perdiamo l'elemento apocalittico rimane estremamente gradevole.
Preferisco parecchio il Verne fantascientifico a quello meramente avventuroso, che giocoforza tende a ripetersi.
Comunque da notare come, rispetto a centocinquant'anni fa, adesso una riscrittura del libro richiederebbe di includere diversi personaggi femminili, svariati intrecci amorosi e probabilmente un paio di delitti... altri tempi, più lineari e ingenui.
L'inizio sembra un libro postapocalittico, con il protagonista che si ritrova all'improvviso isolato da tutto e tutti, senza più contatti con il resto del continente africano e della colonia francese.
Il resto del mondo pare essere scomparso, sommerso dalle acque, e stranissimi fenomeni fisici stanno accadendo: la durata del giorno è cambiata, il sole sorge a ovest, si possono compiere balzi enormi.
Assieme a lui e al suo aiutante, sono sopravvissuti un conte russo e l'equipaggio della sua nave, un gruppo di spagnoli sfaticati e una guarnigione inglese di stanza a Gibilterra (e che si rifiuta di credere che l'Inghilterra non sia più al suo posto). Oltre a un usuraio ebreo incredibilmente stereotipato, a un professore astronomo e a una ragazzina sarda.
Il libro è piacevole, e anche quando si scopre la verità (anticipata in maniera becera dal titolo inglese del libro) e perdiamo l'elemento apocalittico rimane estremamente gradevole.
Preferisco parecchio il Verne fantascientifico a quello meramente avventuroso, che giocoforza tende a ripetersi.
Comunque da notare come, rispetto a centocinquant'anni fa, adesso una riscrittura del libro richiederebbe di includere diversi personaggi femminili, svariati intrecci amorosi e probabilmente un paio di delitti... altri tempi, più lineari e ingenui.
diomuller's review against another edition
3.0
This is a weird book. The worlds and pseudo-science created by Verne are, as always, really imaginative and top notch. The main characters are the same old Verne tropes of a noble and his servant, with a small twist. In that regard, it's more of the same, which... really, is a cool thing.
However, some things didn't go so well with me. See, I'm reading the french edition, so that may have changed in the translations, but... some characters are a bit... well... bad caricatures of some things. The englishmen and, in special, the jew merchant are not good characters, and the merchant in special is a very anti-semitic caricature. Was it the 19th century? Sure, but still, it *is* a really badly developed character even taking that into account.
The ending also kinda feels like Verne gave up explaining what exactly happened, and everything happened just because. Not a bad ending, but there *is* a lot missing between the two last chapters.
An ok book, not one of Verne's best but fine for what it is, but some things didn't age well.
However, some things didn't go so well with me. See, I'm reading the french edition, so that may have changed in the translations, but... some characters are a bit... well... bad caricatures of some things. The englishmen and, in special, the jew merchant are not good characters, and the merchant in special is a very anti-semitic caricature. Was it the 19th century? Sure, but still, it *is* a really badly developed character even taking that into account.
The ending also kinda feels like Verne gave up explaining what exactly happened, and everything happened just because. Not a bad ending, but there *is* a lot missing between the two last chapters.
An ok book, not one of Verne's best but fine for what it is, but some things didn't age well.
welshben's review against another edition
2.0
It’s an interesting concept and thinking back to when it was originally published would have been an interesting book with the scientific method put to good use throughout.
However, for me it’s just too slow paced and feels like Verne ran out of ideas in writing it. The ending, which was one of the key parts that I was most looking forward to (will they get off the comet/ if they do then how will they do it?) is particularly frustrating and one of several reasons I gave it a low rating.
However, for me it’s just too slow paced and feels like Verne ran out of ideas in writing it. The ending, which was one of the key parts that I was most looking forward to (will they get off the comet/ if they do then how will they do it?) is particularly frustrating and one of several reasons I gave it a low rating.
sams84's review against another edition
3.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this book, I actually enjoyed it more that I thought I would. I started reading it a little skeptical but I admit I should have had faith in Jules Verne and his ability to bring even the most far reaching of stories to life. The basic premise of this book is that a comet side swipes Earth and in doing so steals away a small part of the planet, complete with people, animals and plants. We then follow these survivors as they endeavour to go about their daily lives and figure out what has happened and why. A bit like an extreme version of being stranded we see the interplay between the different characters and how each copes with their new reality in their own way. Verne has a way of making his characters feel very real and believable, keeping their humanity at the forefront of the story, while still progressing with the tale itself. A thoroughly good read and one I would certainly recommend.
thebookgirly's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
crazysecondname's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
4.5
ran_sophia's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The plot was crazy, weird and strange. But very well written. It reads well and its speed was directly corresponding to what was happening. The plot was well written and not cluttered with unnecessary twists and turns. The ending of the story was chaotic, slightly goofy (like the whole plot : -)), but very good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
xristinakarvouni's review against another edition
2.0
Another well thought out science fiction novel by Verne, although the antisemitism in the original version of the story which is noticeable from the very beginning doesn't really help when it comes to fully enjoying it to say the least...