Reviews

This is a perfectly readable book, but it's perhaps a little of its time maybe? In this book, Phileas Fogg bets friend from his club that he couldn't get round the world in 80 days. So off he sets, has escapades, and gets home, but does he make it in time?

It's ok as a book, and I can see how people might have liked it at the time, with its descriptions of various spots on the globe, but these descriptions, with Native American attacks, and Indian "burial rites", feel a little dubious on occasions. I shouldn't old judge books by todays standards, it felt... it put a certain distance between me and the characters.

The other this I didn't realise was that many, if not most, of the side escapades were had by Fogg's valet, Passepartout. This probably shouldn't have been a surprise given the character was French, and the book was written by a Frenchman, but it still surprised me.

jmrprice's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

A beloved classic that remains filled with derring-do and the possibilities of challenges.

soleil_soleil's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Yes, he was ahead of his time, and he had great worldbuilding, but Jules Verne's works aren't super relevant anymore.

More...