Source: Library - Audio
Description: When an unidentified “monster” threatens international shipping, French oceanographer Pierre Aronnax and his unflappable assistant Conseil join an expedition organized by the US Navy to hunt down and destroy the menace. After months of fruitless searching, they finally grapple with their quarry, but Aronnax, Conseil, and the brash Canadian harpooner Ned Land are thrown overboard in the attack, only to find that the “monster” is actually a futuristic submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by a shadowy, mystical, preternaturally imposing man who calls himself Captain Nemo. Thus begins a journey of 20,000 leagues—nearly 50,000 miles—that will take Captain Nemo, his crew, and these three adventurers on a journey of discovery through undersea forests, coral graveyards, miles-deep trenches, and even the sunken ruins of Atlantis. Jules Verne’s novel of undersea exploration has been captivating readers ever since its first publication in 1870, and Frederick Paul Walter’s reader-friendly, scientifically meticulous translation of this visionary science fiction classic is complete and unabridged down to the smallest substantive detail.
Genre: Fiction - Science Fiction
Why I Picked This Book: This has been on my Classics list for quite some time and then my Audio TBR jar picked this one.
My Impression: I had read and enjoyed Around the World in 80 Days so I was very curious to read Verne's journey that takes place under the sea. I ended up really enjoying this aquatic adventure story with an odd collection of characters and an even odder collection of creatures. I listened to the audio version read by Sam Kusi who has a gorgeous voice that is both soothing and compelling and very much enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
This is clearly an adventure story published int he mid-19th century and the pacing and heavy descriptions clearly portray that as well as the fact that it was originally published in serialized format. This isn't a fast read heavy in the hijinks but I wouldn't expect it to be. The writing is lush and descriptive and the characters are well drawn if a bit stereotypical and stilted. I really enjoyed this reading and highly recommend the audio version.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would! I've been surprised by just how much I enjoyed both the Verne books.
Would I Recommend this Book? I would. This is a great slow read - especially in the audio format.
Would I Recommend this Book? I would. This is a great slow read - especially in the audio format.
I've read and enjoyed several of Jules Verne's novels, but haven't ever read this one. It has been on my classics TBR list for years now. Glad to read your review of it and that you liked it. Maybe next year I'll make a goal to read more classics and put this one at the top of my list. :D
ReplyDeleteWe had a vinyl record of this as part of a set when I was a kid and we listened to it over and over. I was pretrained then to be favorable to audiobooks.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
Well done. So pleased you enjoyed this on audio.
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