I have been revisiting one of my favorite writers reading six of his works.
FIVE WEEKS IN A BALLOON was Vernes' first novel, inauguerating the series Voyages Extraordinary. There is not much plot, what there is being a vessel for lessons in African history, geography, and biology. Not bad, but it gets tedious after a while. It also introduces the plot device of the main character having an eccentric servant.
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. Here wealth British gentleman Philias Fogg wagers a fortune he can travel around the world in 80 days. Still a lot of lessons thrust upon the reader, but more plot.
20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA. One of Viernes best known books, we meet the fascinating Captain Nemo, sailing the submarine Nautilus on a mission of vengence.
MYSTERIOUS ISLAND. Five Union POWs flee Richmond in a balloon during a hurricane eventually landing on an island in the Pacific. The novel details their survival, aided by a mysterious figure. This is probably my favorite Verne novel.
ROBUR THE CONQUEROR. Advocates of the lighter than air ships as the future of aviation are carried off in a heavier than air craft, the Albatross. The inventor, Robur, gives them an education in reality which they refuse to accept. Kiddies to the end.
MASTER OF THE WORLD, a sequel to ROBUR THE CONQUEROR, has the world being mystified by several machines that are far in advance of anything any country has.. Federal Detective John Strock is sent to investigate.. This and ROBUR are the best plotted Verse titles I have read in this marathon.
All in all these are well worth readng, A pleasant trip into the early days of Science Fiction.