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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
The Year of Grace 2020 was made unmemorable by a rather tedious and self-indulgent tale as recounted by a fictional naturalist who identifies himself with the name of M. Aronnax. The range of vocabulary employed by this gentleman certainly does justice to the full range of grammar and lexicology of modern language. The words used are of varying lengths and include not only the verb and noun, but likewise the adjective, adverb and in addition the humble preposition. Alternatively, to give them their proper Latin names, correspondingly verbum, nominibus, adjectivum, adverbium, and haec praepositio. The sentences in which these words are painstakingly imprisoned could range from as few as three or four to as many as in excess of twenty or thirty words in length, and yet, seemingly, M. Aronnax rarely arrives at any pertinent observation or narrative progression.
These superfluous, and one might venture, boorish, interventions are commonly utilised to provide prolonged descriptions of the fantastic lifeforms encountered while M. Aronnax is held captive aboard a submersible vessel christened the Nautilus. It is with some regret, however, that the attitude demonstrated by this character towards nature and its inhabitants without question betrays prevailing opinions of the story's era, and thus we often observe that fascination with wondrous sights is followed with swiftness by utter indifference to its destruction and, often, its consumption at the dining table. It is not unknown for these regrettable actions to be accompanied by some measure of self-awareness of their folly and inevitable conclusion.
M. Aronnax's companions in his imprisonment include his faithful man-servant Conseil, and a Canadian harpooner known as Ned Land. It is a frequent occurrence that these two lower status characters demonstrate knowledge of their place in society and submit to our narrator's superior intellect. What a blessed relief it must be for them to stand in the presence of such greatness! They certainly on many occasions inform him of their gratitude of his continued existence. Conseil, in particular, evidently enjoys nothing more than communicating reassurance to M. Aronnax that his primary purpose is to sacrifice everything if necessary to his master's health and comfort, and his master is certainly confident that these feelings are true.
Truly, it is a wonder to observe that their captor, the dreaded Captain Nemo, is widely regarded as the villain of the tome. Verily, I am guided to believe that M. Aronnax fairly rivals the commander in both arrogance and obnoxiousness.
These superfluous, and one might venture, boorish, interventions are commonly utilised to provide prolonged descriptions of the fantastic lifeforms encountered while M. Aronnax is held captive aboard a submersible vessel christened the Nautilus. It is with some regret, however, that the attitude demonstrated by this character towards nature and its inhabitants without question betrays prevailing opinions of the story's era, and thus we often observe that fascination with wondrous sights is followed with swiftness by utter indifference to its destruction and, often, its consumption at the dining table. It is not unknown for these regrettable actions to be accompanied by some measure of self-awareness of their folly and inevitable conclusion.
M. Aronnax's companions in his imprisonment include his faithful man-servant Conseil, and a Canadian harpooner known as Ned Land. It is a frequent occurrence that these two lower status characters demonstrate knowledge of their place in society and submit to our narrator's superior intellect. What a blessed relief it must be for them to stand in the presence of such greatness! They certainly on many occasions inform him of their gratitude of his continued existence. Conseil, in particular, evidently enjoys nothing more than communicating reassurance to M. Aronnax that his primary purpose is to sacrifice everything if necessary to his master's health and comfort, and his master is certainly confident that these feelings are true.
Truly, it is a wonder to observe that their captor, the dreaded Captain Nemo, is widely regarded as the villain of the tome. Verily, I am guided to believe that M. Aronnax fairly rivals the commander in both arrogance and obnoxiousness.
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I had really low expectations for some reason but this book is pretty cool. I liked all of the little adventures that happen but I wish they built a stronger plot arc. The book sorta plateaus for a while but it’s still interesting despite that. Seeing the captain’s decent into madness was cool, I could definitely go down a literary rabbit hole thinking about that lol. I may eventually round up to a 5.
Oh, and I think I read the abridged version because I didn’t see any long paragraphs about taxonomy. Guess if they were there, they didn’t bother me.
Oh, and I think I read the abridged version because I didn’t see any long paragraphs about taxonomy. Guess if they were there, they didn’t bother me.
Ô, tant de bains de plus d'une heure il m'a fallu pour achever cette oeuvre colossale de la littérature française d'aventure! Tant de bombes de bains et d'écume de bain moussant se sont évaporées dans les eaux peu profondes de ma baignoire! Pourtant, il m'a semblé que ce récit des dix mois d'aventures de ce cher Monsieur Aronnax au sein du Nautilus du Capitaine Nemo se s'est éclipse en à peine quelques clins d'oeil!
Lire des classiques dans le bain, ça change des vies. Ou en tout cas, ça a changé la mienne! Hihi!
Lire des classiques dans le bain, ça change des vies. Ou en tout cas, ça a changé la mienne! Hihi!
Interesting enough, but if I had to read about one more detailed description of flora or fauna of the ocean…
Albeit dry at times (long lists of scientific names, biological classifications, etc), this is a prophetic tale of under sea adventure and research. It very much follows the same template story he followed in Journey to the Center of the Earth. I haven't watched the Disney film since I was a child and am looking forward to re-watching now that I have finished the book.
If I had read this in the year 1897 I would have rated it 5 stars.
This book was enjoyable enough but it gets a little tedious reading all of the clarifications of sea life.
It was an absolutely picturesque ride through the waters, as if. The fact that it was written way before submarines happened makes it quite fascinating. I read it as if I was in that era and the description is so good that I couldnt be less amazed. Wonderful coupling of science and story so classic of Vernes.