Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

After hijacking a balloon from a Confederate camp, a band of five northern prisoners escapes the American Civil War. Seven thousand miles later, they drop from the clouds onto an uncharted volcanic island in the Pacific. Through teamwork, scientific knowledge, engineering, and perseverance, they endeavour to build a colony from scratch. But this island of abundant resources has its secrets. The castaways discover they are not alone. A shadowy, yet familiar, agent of their unfathomable fate is watching.

Enjoy!!

I am definitely in for this one. I liked the movie version but haven't seen it for ages. I wonder how it will compare with the book?

I'm up to part 2 now. I really like stories of survival like this.
It's the longest Verne book so far but one I've been wanting to read for a while.

not major spoilers, just survival stuff:
(view spoiler)[I can't believe they threw away their knives. They don't weigh a pound!
I'm also surprised they didn't make any flint tools and it seemed way too easy that they just made iron.
Also, I don't know why they didn't tan any skins. They had a hard time in the winter. (hide spoiler)]

More spoilerish:
(view spoiler)[Okay, I want to know what the hell this sea monster is!
I would think it was some prehistoric creature or something but I know Verne likes to keep things as realistic as possible. (hide spoiler)]

Oh give me a break!
(view spoiler)[They dressed an orangutan up in a monkey suit and made him into a waiter! (hide spoiler)]

At the end of part 2 I have a theory.
(view spoiler)[Since Aryton is there I'm thinking all the weird things are caused by Captain Nemo. (hide spoiler)]

I have read three chapters so far but hope to read it in one month.
That was quite the balloon journey.

I had the audio book for this one. It made the story very vivid.

That was a really good one.

The ending was (view spoiler)[a lot like the ending of The Fur Country but pretty cool. I'm glad the gave Captain Nemo a proper send off. (hide spoiler)]

I have read 15 chapters and like all the things they do to survive, and flourish.

I finished part one, which had a dramatic ending.

They have now survived a winter on the island and have created a safe and comfortable home, and are ready to explore unknown territory. Something unexpected is found in what they are eating for dinner....

I'm in part two and some strange things have been happening.

I am almost finished part 2 and the mystery deepens.

I finally finished the book. Part 3 was exciting so I read that part more quickly. It was a fun read once there was some action.

Book Nerd, now that I have finished I read your spoilers. I agree with all your comments.

One thing I didn't get. (view spoiler)[Why did Top come flying out of the water when he was fighting a dugong(Which don't really fight anyway)? Nemo apparently saved him but what, then he threw him out of the water? (hide spoiler)]

Book Nerd wrote: "One thing I didn't get. [spoilers removed]"

I think he was tossed out.

By the dugong? Maybe. It was acting completely unlike it's species anyway.
A human definitely wouldn't have had the strength.

That was a strange scene all round.