A review by michaelesch
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and other Classic Novels by Jules Verne

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.