Michael Strogoff

by Classics Illustrated (Adaptor), Jules Verne

MICHAEL STROGOFF: The Courier of the Czar, is an adventure novel set in the Russian far east. It follows the life of Michael Strogoff, an young courier for Tsar Alexander II of Russia. Faced with a Tartar uprising in the Irkutsk region, Strogoff must make his way across Siberia to warn the governor of treason in the ranks. Along the way he meets a young woman, Nadia, who becomes his love interest and helps Strogoff to escape the Tartar rebels.

Critics, including Leonard S. Davidow, writing from Reading, Pennsylvania, in his 1937 introduction to The Spencer Press reprint as a volume in its "Classic Romances of Literature" series consider it one of Verne's best books. Davidow wrote, "Jules Verne has written no better book than this, in fact it is deservedly ranked as one of the most thrilling tales ever written." Unlike some of Verne's other famous novels, it is not science fiction, but a scientific phenomenon is a plot device. The book was later adapted to a play, by Verne himself and Adolphe D'Ennery. Incidental music to the play was written by Alexandre Artus in 1880. The book has been adapted several times for films and cartoon series.

Genres: Adventure, Classics, Comics

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2014

About the author

Classics Illustrated is an American comic book/magazine series featuring adaptations of literary classics such as Les Miserables, Moby-Dick, Hamlet, and The Iliad. Created by Albert Kanter, the series began publication in 1941 and finished its first run in 1969, producing 169 issues. Following the series' demise, various companies reprinted its titles. Since then, the Classics Illustrated brand has been used to create new comic book adaptations.

Reviews

[StrictlySequential · Rating 3 out of 5]

(10c) HRN 51 = 2nd printing = (1946)

That printing includes:
+ Jules Verne Biography

Story: ***
It was as if there weren't enough pages to condense the story because the adapter, Pat Adams, jumped to scenes without context and emaciated the characters other than Strogoff so that you didn't know the whys and hows of them.

The plot was written almost exclusively for children buyers but it holds no charm for the hero- it's relatively monotone and bleak. However, it enters the story into one's literary consciousness as a seed with some motivation to read it in prose.

Art: **
Arnold Hicks does a serviceable job but nothing more. It has a kind of hazy look to it and whoever did the coloring laid down a horrible palate and was inept at separation. In their defence, all of the limitations of the simplistic and abrupt contemporary colors and the difficult layout tools of that time show greatly.

[Brian Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this novel mostly on the strength of the reputation of the author. I was familiar with Jules Verne, but really only on the strength of the film adaptations of some of his more well-known works. Also, I was influenced by the good reviews of this novel I had come across. However, I have to say I was somewhat disappointed by "Michael Strogoff." It is strictly an adventure story and there are no plot twists to keep the linear story interesting. The character Michael Strogoff is so noble, brave, and strong that he comes across more of an action comic book hero than a real person. The girl he encounters on his sojourn, Nadia, is just as stalwart and just as flawless as he is. The villain of the story hardly comes into the story until the end. He, of course, is totally unredeemable and with no more personality than Strogoff. Verne's dialogue for Strogoff is stilted and neither he nor the other characters resonate as actual people. If you like "Prince Valiant" in the comic pages, then you will probably like this novel. For myself, I prefer a story with more complex characters and plots; not one where the ending is highly predictable.

[Tom Garland · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the lesser known Jules Verne novels. I enjoyed it. Michael Strogoff is a courier of the Russian czar on a very important mission with huge political ramifications during mid 19th century. Overcomes great obstacles to save the Russian empire.

[Marco · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know why, this didn't capture my interest: The plot is there, full of events and adventure, but it just didn't click with me.