Around the World in 80 Days

English language

Published Nov. 28, 2014

ISBN:
978-1-5032-1515-3
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Around the World in Eighty Days (French: Le tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours) is an adventure novel by the French writer Jules Verne, first published in French in 1872. In the story, Phileas Fogg of London and his newly employed French valet Passepartout attempt to circumnavigate the world in 80 days on a wager of £20,000 (equivalent to £1.9 million in 2019) set by his friends at the Reform Club. It is one of Verne's most acclaimed works.

38 editions

somewhat disconnected thoughts (but i thought i'd try to write an actual review)

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I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought! It's a fun adventure story, and I think probably fits in a lot better with other 19th century adventure stories than it does with other science-fiction of the time, though it's also not as if they were too distinct back then. But while it does obviously focus on technology and how it has changed (and continues to change) the world, it's definitely meant as a realistic, contemporary (published as a serial in 1872, afaict with the dates in the story roughly matching with actual dates) story — e.g. at particularly desperate moment the idea of crossing an ocean by balloon shows up, but is dismissed immediately as undoable.

Definitely the best parts are when Verne pokes fun at the whole British-Empire-gentlemen culture and its absurdities. It's not in any way anti-imperialist, but ig it's refreshing to read this sentiment …

The old style of adventure, entertaining, but not enthralling

Mr. Fog goes on a romp around the world to prove a bet, that it can be done in less than 80 days. It comes down to the wire, as you would assume it just, and yet the ending still manages to exceed your expectations. It's a quick and easy read, but still decent fun.

Review of 'Around the World in Eighty Days (Extraordinary Voyages, #11)' on 'Goodreads'

For a book that's ostensibly about travel, it's pretty amazing how little travel is in it.

Fun to read while on an 81 day trip around the world, though...