On Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
There was no balloon.
It appears this is a common mistake when people think about Around the World in Eighty Days. Perhaps the story isn’t quite what you thought it to be? Then, I’d highly recommend getting yourself a copy and seeing what it’s all about for yourself. Around the World in Eighty Days was written by Jules Verne, first published in French in 1872 and published in English 1873. I read a limited amount of fiction and tend to stick to the classics. This book did not disappoint in the slightest, in fact it became one of my favorites. There are a few factors that contributed to this appreciation, namely; the intrepid hero, Phileas Fogg, the constant action full of suspense and one brilliant ending to tie it all together.
First, I’d like to take a dive into the main character Phileas Fogg. Jules Verne portrays Phileas Fogg, a most wonderful hero, as a man of routine and strict punctuality. He maintains a somewhat mysterious air and an unwavering tranquility. He is intelligent and has a cool confidence in what he knows. And, one day that turns out to be his faith in the accuracy of the timetables published in his travel book of the British empire which leads him to accept a wager with fellow members of the Reform Club (where he and other members of London’s high society pass their time). If there is anyone to complete this challenge, Phileas Fogg is the man for the job. As things inevitably go wrong, he never once loses his cool and when it is required, he exhibits faith, courage and ingenuity. Although we only know him as one who spends his days scheduled to the minute and almost entirely at the Reform Club, we can tell he is a man who possesses a wealth of experience by the way he handles each novel situation encountered along the journey. He also acts in a morally correct manner, making decisions because they are right even when the wager is on the line.
The next point has to do with how action-packed the storyline is. The wager begins early in the beginning chapters, so the book is almost entirely focused on the journey itself and because they don’t stop moving in order to go around the world in eighty days, the action is nonstop. There is always something happening, there is a cleverly incorporated antagonist who complicates their affairs in an increasingly problematic manner, there are always problems arising and being resolved all while the journey progresses on from destination to destination. The suspense Jules Verne creates is very real and at times the book is especially hard to put down. How will they figure this problem out? Will they make it in time? The plot lends itself well to becoming an engaging story.
In the end, what really blew me away and made me treasure this book is the ending. I won’t go into any details whatsoever in order to not take away the enjoyment of others reading the story, but I was very impressed. I did not see the story ending in the way that it did, and Jules Verne displays outstanding craftmanship in the ending’s construction. I am unable to speak highly enough of how he brought all the pieces together and left the reader with an outstanding message in which to take to heart. Perhaps, as an avid traveler myself, the ending resonated with me in a whole other way, as relating to what Phileas Fogg ultimately finds. It is a quick, easy read and I encourage you to pick up a copy for yourself to see what it’s all about.