The Works of Jules Verne

Jules Verne was a French author who lived from 1828 to 1905. Though he died more than a century ago, his works are still widely known and read today. Several of his novels have been made into movies. Verne is known as the "father of science fiction," but he focuses on the mysteries of our own world rather than on the far reaches of space. It is easy to see through the detailed explanations in his novels that he was fascinated by the sciences and how the world works. Verne wrote a vast amount, with more than fifty novels as well as some other works published. Four of his most well-known 'Extraordinary Voyages' novels are Journey to the Center of the Earth, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Around the World in Eighty Days, and The Mysterious Island.

1. Journey to the Center of the Earth (1871)
This novel, recently adapted into a more modern film version, is told from the viewpoint of a young man named Axel. He and his uncle Professor Lidenbrock crack a code that describes how to enter the center of the earth through an Icelandic volcano. Immediately they set out, and with the help of their Icelandic guide, they have many strange and wondrous adventures and discoveries under the surface of the earth.

2. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1872)
This epic work tells the tale of a French Scientist named Pierre Arronax, his servant Conseil, and their Canadian harpoonist friend Ned Land. They go out on the Atlantic Ocean in an effort to kill a huge creature that has been damaging ships of all nations. When they attack the creature, however, they are tossed into the sea and discover that the 'creature' is actually a huge underwater ship called the Nautilus. They are brought on board and meet the ship's mysterious commander, Captain Nemo. They are kept on board as prisoners, though they are treated as honored guests, because Captain Nemo does not want the secret of his ship getting out to the world. A stunning adventure begins in which the Nautilus tours all of the seas of the world. Arronax, who tells the story in first person, describes going underwater-hunting, seeing rare specimens of fish, and even journeying to the South Pole itself. Meanwhile he also tries to unravel the secrets of the dark Captain Nemo, who states that he hates all mankind and the dry land they live on. This is a fascinating, compelling, and thought-provoking mystery and science fiction story, told at its very best.

3. Around the World in Eighty Days (1873)
Phileas Fogg, a particular and precise English gentleman, makes a wager that he can make a journey around the world in eighty days- something never before accomplished. He sets out with his manservant Passepartout and travels through many lands, undergoing many difficulties. At one point, Fogg is mistaken for a bank robber, and is subsequently chased around the world by a detective. In India, he rescues a young woman named Aouda from being sacrificed, and she then travels on with them. However, the trio have many setbacks, more than even the mathematical Mr Fogg has accounted for. They rush on towards England, hoping that they will not be too late. This novel is the only one of the four that has a female main character. This story concludes with a brilliant, stunning plot twist.

4. The Mysterious Island (1874)
This book tells of the adventures of five men and a dog who are marooned on an island after escaping from a Civil War prison camp via hot air balloon. After finding out that there is very little chance that they will ever escape from the island, far from any civilization, they start to make a home for themselves. This book gives a detailed account of all of the scientific things done in order to make their new home habitual. However, as they start to settle in, a sense of mystery starts to settle upon the adventurers as several strange incidents occur. In a plot twist even greater than the one in Around the World in Eighty Days, The Mysterious Island is revealed to be a sequel of sorts to Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (though reading that book isn't necessary to understand this one).

All four of these novels are brilliant and well worth the time it takes to read them. There is no doubt that Jules Verne was a brilliant author. His love of knowledge and good adventure shines through his writing. Anybody with a bit of extra time would do well to pick up one of these books. Happy reading!