Reading 1001 discussion

This one started slow for me, but picked up once they finally arrived in Iceland. Typical of Verne's style, lots of great science (great science for its time that is) is explained by a fantastical journey, this time to the center of the earth. The poor suffering nephew Axel and their taciturn guide Hans were quite interesting, but not near as much fun as my favorite Verne sidekick Passepartout, from Around the World in Eighty Days.

*Side note for this one...there are 2 versions, the more strict translation version, and an earlier English ‘translation’ that takes some liberties of its own. So keep that in mind if you decide to read it.

August 31, 2012 – Finished Reading
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Jules Verne’s book about Professor Lidenbrock and his nephew Axel’s trip to Iceland to discover whether there is a way through a crater to the center of the earth. Professor Lidenbrock represents the theory that the center of the earth is not hot and Axel represents those that professed the belief that the center of the earth would be molten hot. Verne wrote adventure stories and as such, Journey to the Centre is one of his adventure story. The science fiction part examines the theory and also the geological discoveries of the earth. This short story has been translated many times and the original translation was not the best translation. Thanks to this information being shared before I started reading, I searched on-line and found this pdf file of Butcher’s translation. http://www.ibiblio.org/julesverne/boo... It included an introduction, foot notes and summary statements. Jules Verne is an enjoyable author. The book was started in 1864 and I think there were some rewrites according to this edition.

Rating: 3.5 Stars


This was a re-read for me. It wasn't quite as enthralling the second time around. The scientific improbabilities are much more obvious. If this was a book written today, it would't probably get very good ratings. I am thoroughly impressed by the creativity of Verne. What impresses me most is the research he undertook during a time when finding information about things was much more difficult. It always amazed me that this man could give such vivid descriptions of places he never visited, Iceland being no exception.

I wish I had read this as a child. I was expecting it to be less of an adventure book and more hard-core science fiction which explains why I have never read it before and why I have had it out from the library for two months without reading it.

I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. It was more creative than I was expecting and I loved the descriptions of the underground lake in particular. Even though some of what they see there (and the method of ending their journey) seem wildly improbable.

3 stars.

I think I should stop being surprised at finding out that famous classics can be an absolute joy to read. I loved it so much it has become an instant favorite.

This book comes with quite a legacy, but as always it needs to be read in order to be appreciated fully. The actual adventure underground isn't even the biggest part of the book, there is a lot of room reserved for preparation and travel which I love! Imagine reading this book in 1890, not being able to travel anywhere much and going on a journey with an interesting hothead professor and his reasoning younger nephew. The discussions they have are always realistic despite of the circumstances. The initial part of their story is entirely realistic too! I think it is the blending of reality with science and then adding fantasy is what makes the story work. As a reader you somehow accept what's going on as reasonable, even in the 2020 when you know so much more! Or at least think you do...

Of course, reading this book in the 2020s also brings a lot of baggage which interferes with full enjoyment at some points. Like, worry about ecosystems and the rash way they just trample all about them. Would you eat dinosaur era fish even if they were suddenly abundantly available around you? They change the course of water ways twice and you cannot but wonder if the fragile ecosystems the passed could even survive this visit of just 3 humans! The wreckage that humans can do is haunting. It is unreasonable to take this story that far, but it is precisely because of the blend of naturalism with science that the fantasy world feels so realistic.