Name: Around the World in Eighty Days
Author: Jules Verne
ISBN: 9780192837783

Around the World in Eighty Days

Jules Verne

As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, Menrva Books earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more

Author Description

Around the World in Eighty Days has been a bestseller for over a century, but it has never before appeared in a critical edition. While most translations misread or even abridge the original, this stylish version is completely true to Verne's classic, moving as fast and as brilliantly as Phineas Fogg's own race against time. Around the World in Eighty Days offers a strong dose of post-romantic reality but not a shred of science fiction: its modernism lies instead in the experimental technique and Verne's unique twisting of space and time.

Menrva's Summary

THE PULSE

Phileas Fogg wagers his entire fortune that he can circumnavigate the globe in eighty days, initiating a high-stakes race against the constraints of Victorian transportation. Fogg, a man of rigid habits and mathematical precision, departs London with his newly hired valet, Passepartout, to prove the feasibility of his calculated itinerary. They face constant opposition from unforeseen logistical delays, natural obstacles, and a persistent detective who suspects Fogg of a major bank robbery. The narrative framework utilizes a third-person perspective that emphasizes the mechanical nature of the travel and the strict adherence to the schedule.

INSIDE THE PAGES

Precise, clockwork-driven pacing that mirrors the protagonist's obsession with time.
Detailed descriptions of 19th-century steamships, railways, and global infrastructure.
Contrast between the stoic, logical Fogg and the impulsive, energetic Passepartout.
Episodic structure where each location presents a new logistical hurdle.
Exploration of the tension between human agency and the limitations of technology.
Satirical commentary on the British colonial perspective of the era.
Use of travel logs and geographical data to ground the narrative in reality.
Focus on the concept of the international date line as a plot device.

THE COLLECTIVE ECHO

Readers and critics frequently highlight the novel's efficiency and its role as a foundational text for the adventure genre. Discussion often centers on the contrast between Fogg's mechanical personality and the vibrant, changing landscapes he traverses. Many note that the pacing remains brisk, reflecting the urgency of the central wager throughout the entire narrative. Critics often point to the book's technical focus, noting that it prioritizes the logistics of travel over deep psychological introspection. The work is widely recognized for its ability to maintain tension through the clever manipulation of time and geography.

Page Count:
304

Publication Date:
1999-09-16

Publisher:
Oxford University Press

ISBN-10:
0192837788

ISBN-13:
9780192837783

Fiction

Travel

Adventure

classic

Victorian