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20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and other Classic Novels
Writing in France in the nineteenth century, Jules Verne captured his era's fascination with adventure and exploration in a series of novels he referred to as his Voyages extraordinaries. This book collects six of Verne's best-known novels that extrapolate developing technology and scientific inquisitiveness into rousing adventures.
Five weeks in a balloon --
Journey to the center of the earth --
From the earth to the moon --
Round the moon --
Twenty thousand leagues under the sea --
Around the world in eighty days.
Five weeks in a balloon --
Journey to the center of the earth --
From the earth to the moon --
Round the moon --
Twenty thousand leagues under the sea --
Around the world in eighty days.
739 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
950 people are currently reading
12077 people want to read
About the author
Jules Verne
6,666 books12.2k followersNovels of French writer Jules Gabriel Verne, considered the founder of modern science fiction, include
Journey to the Center of the Earth
(1864) and
Around the World in Eighty Days
(1873).
This author who pioneered the genre. People best know him for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870).
Verne wrote about space, air, and underwater travel before people invented navigable aircraft and practical submarines and devised any means of spacecraft. He ranks behind Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie as the second most translated author of all time. People made his prominent films. People often refer to Verne alongside Herbert George Wells as the "father of science fiction."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_V...
This author who pioneered the genre. People best know him for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870).
Verne wrote about space, air, and underwater travel before people invented navigable aircraft and practical submarines and devised any means of spacecraft. He ranks behind Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie as the second most translated author of all time. People made his prominent films. People often refer to Verne alongside Herbert George Wells as the "father of science fiction."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_V...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,032 reviews
September 7, 2018
I was really looking forward to taking a deep dive into the work of Jules Verne, but I don't think I'll touch another book of his because this was such a chore to read. Once the main cast joins up with Nemo, the book ditches the idea of having an over-arching plot for just going on crazy trips around the ocean. And you know what? That's fine. I'm cool with reading a simple adventure story and 20k has some pretty cool locations/settings. Unfortunately 20,000 Leagues is a science-fiction book from the mid 20th century AND IT READS LIKE ONE. Long winded descriptions of fauna, entire chapters where characters do nothing but mope around the Nautilus; it's too dry and too long for it's own good. Sorry Nemo, I'm headed back to the surface.
October 16, 2020
French marine biologist Pierre Arannax, his servant Conseil, and Canadian harpooner Ned Land all get thrown overboard during an ocean expedition and are picked up by an ultra-fast, massive deepwater submarine. The submarine is owned by reclusive billionaire Captain Nemo, who offers the confused trio the opportunity to travel the world in his luxurious submarine, though they will need to leave society and their lives behind. With seemingly no other choice, they accept the deal. While Pierre thoroughly enjoys his globetrotting adventures with Nemo, Ned grows increasingly frustrated by their lack of freedom and longs for an opportunity to escape.
This is what I would consider a classic "dad book," complete with an all-male cast of characters going on an adventure and A LOT of long, dry descriptions of random fish and crustaceans. I wish there had been less focus on fish and more on Nemo's backstory. Regardless, the ever present tension surrounding the group’s ideas of freedom and the air of mystery around Captain Nemo kept my attention throughout the MANY detailed descriptions of marine life. While this book is nearly 200 years old, the creative concept of this science fiction classic as well as the easy to understand plot and prose really hold up.
A Warning: If you are considering picking up this book…
There are elements of this novel that have aged very poorly. Pierre casually uses terms like “savages” and “orientals” and expresses a “Europeans are the most civilized people” mindset at several points throughout the story.
Also, Pierre’s servant Conseil has no personality other than being willing to die for Pierre. On three separate occasions Pierre is on death's doorstep and passes out, only to wake up because Conseil saves him. Conseil unflinchingly supports Pierre’s every whim, certainly going beyond the bounds of an employer-employee relationship, and yet the pair are clearly not friends since this support only goes in one direction. Pierre never shows interest in Conseil as a human being with, I assume, his own non-fish interests. At times I was left wondering whether Conseil, eager to live and die by the whim of his master, was a fevered slave fantasy born from the mind of a classist imperialist, rather than the paid servant he’s apparently supposed to be. If Conseil’s portrayal was more front-and-center in the story I would dock more stars from my rating, but alas, he’s barely even relevant to the plot, so it was less of a glaring issue overall.
As for the instances of racist and imperialist language, while it should definitely be a red flag for any reasonable 21st century reader, I had to remind myself this book was written in 1849, and it’s certainly not aged as badly as some other “classics” in this regard. This once again raised the question for me of how a modern reader should evaluate books written for a different time, other than to point out these issues when we discuss the books today. I don’t really have an answer. After all, who knows what people will think of the seemingly unproblematic books we are publishing now 170 years in the future.
This is what I would consider a classic "dad book," complete with an all-male cast of characters going on an adventure and A LOT of long, dry descriptions of random fish and crustaceans. I wish there had been less focus on fish and more on Nemo's backstory. Regardless, the ever present tension surrounding the group’s ideas of freedom and the air of mystery around Captain Nemo kept my attention throughout the MANY detailed descriptions of marine life. While this book is nearly 200 years old, the creative concept of this science fiction classic as well as the easy to understand plot and prose really hold up.
A Warning: If you are considering picking up this book…
There are elements of this novel that have aged very poorly. Pierre casually uses terms like “savages” and “orientals” and expresses a “Europeans are the most civilized people” mindset at several points throughout the story.
Also, Pierre’s servant Conseil has no personality other than being willing to die for Pierre. On three separate occasions Pierre is on death's doorstep and passes out, only to wake up because Conseil saves him. Conseil unflinchingly supports Pierre’s every whim, certainly going beyond the bounds of an employer-employee relationship, and yet the pair are clearly not friends since this support only goes in one direction. Pierre never shows interest in Conseil as a human being with, I assume, his own non-fish interests. At times I was left wondering whether Conseil, eager to live and die by the whim of his master, was a fevered slave fantasy born from the mind of a classist imperialist, rather than the paid servant he’s apparently supposed to be. If Conseil’s portrayal was more front-and-center in the story I would dock more stars from my rating, but alas, he’s barely even relevant to the plot, so it was less of a glaring issue overall.
As for the instances of racist and imperialist language, while it should definitely be a red flag for any reasonable 21st century reader, I had to remind myself this book was written in 1849, and it’s certainly not aged as badly as some other “classics” in this regard. This once again raised the question for me of how a modern reader should evaluate books written for a different time, other than to point out these issues when we discuss the books today. I don’t really have an answer. After all, who knows what people will think of the seemingly unproblematic books we are publishing now 170 years in the future.
June 3, 2014
This book is justifiably a classic. For science fiction written in 1870, it retains a remarkable freshness and Verne created a very compelling character in Captain Nemo. Verne was well-acquainted with the science of his day and it shows in his work; it's a lot stronger on science than most modern science fiction is. Some of the concepts, of course, are a bit less amazing than they were when the book was written, since things like submarines and electric power are now realities. There is also more description than most modern readers are used to seeing. Jules Verne lived a long time before Jacques Cousteau and there were no video documentaries of the undersea world then. To some extent, Verne seems to have been trying to provide the next best thing: a detailed verbal description of it, based on the best knowledge then available. These features do slow down the action a little, but the slower pace is worth it. Relax and enjoy the voyage.
March 8, 2021
Quite a story and well ahead of its time. I liked how Verne throws in the math and science when discussing the submarine. Is the math right ? I don’t know and in context it seems believable. A bit distracting are the units of measure. The story teller is a Frenchman and France had the metric system for 70 years but the measurements are all imperial— yards, feet, Fahrenheit.... also there are the nautical measurements although I am trying to figure out the difference between a league and a French league.
February 21, 2022
I know it’s wildly superfluous to review such a classic and timeless novel, but I enjoyed my read through so much I feel compelled to throw my praise upon the century and a half pile of positive reviews for this amazing story. Verne’s wondrous descriptions of maritime life and wonderful characterization had me enthralled. I felt as if I had been given a tour of the Nautilus so complete that by the end I was familiar with its inner workings and fantastical machinery.
A word of caution… This novel is not near as action packed as many modern counterparts, relying on wonder to keep one on the edge of their seat. But if you can open yourself up to experiencing Verne’s vision of submariner life I genuinely think you’ll enjoy your time as crew of the Nautilus as much as I did.
So says I.
*on that note, can we please bring back first person dialogue tags like Verne’s. I don’t know why, but it feels so much more in the moment to read, “said I” or “said he” rather than the inverse.
Cheers!
A word of caution… This novel is not near as action packed as many modern counterparts, relying on wonder to keep one on the edge of their seat. But if you can open yourself up to experiencing Verne’s vision of submariner life I genuinely think you’ll enjoy your time as crew of the Nautilus as much as I did.
So says I.
*on that note, can we please bring back first person dialogue tags like Verne’s. I don’t know why, but it feels so much more in the moment to read, “said I” or “said he” rather than the inverse.
Cheers!
March 23, 2016
Featured in my Top 5 Jules Verne Novels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV_87...
Hands down the best adventure story of the 19th Century, better than The House on the Borderland, better than Gordon Pym, better than Conan Doyle's stuff. (HG Wells doesn't count as 19th C, come on).
Hands down the best adventure story of the 19th Century, better than The House on the Borderland, better than Gordon Pym, better than Conan Doyle's stuff. (HG Wells doesn't count as 19th C, come on).
October 26, 2023
The more I read of Jules Verne, the more I enjoy his writing. There are few reasons for that.
1) Each book mentally transports me to Disney World, waiting in line for the Journey to the Center of the Earth or 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea rides. Disney brilliantly creates the world around you so you forget you're waiting in line for 2 hours for a 4 minute ride. As you stand in line, there's no end of things to discover, as you're immersed in an animatronic science experiment. Beakers are boiling, log books lay open, specimens are propped up on the counter, and instruments of great discovery are strewn everywhere. This strange amusement in observation is how Verne needs to be enjoyed. Don't expect a classic story arc, just be happy with the journey and the absurd things you'll discover along the way.
2) Verne does an exceptional job at bypassing the "novel" and creating something that quite literally could be a professorial documentation. That's most certainly the charm of it all, and that type of charm has to be appreciated before Jules Verne can be truly enjoyed.
Ahem, an example: "The division containing the zoophytes presented the most curious specimens of the two groups of polypi and echinodermes. In the first group, the tubipores, were gorgones arranged like a fan, soft sponges of Syria, ises of the Moluccas, pennatules, and admirable virgularia of the Norwegian seas, variegated unbellulairae, alcyonariae, a whole series of madrepores, which my master Milne-Edwards has so cleverly classified, among which I remarked some wonderful flabellinae, oculinae of the Island of Bourbon, the "Neptune's car" of the Antilles, superb varietys of corals, in short, every species of those curious polypi of which entire islands are formed, which will one day become continents. Of the echinodermes, remarkable for their coating of spines, asteri, sea-stars, pantacrinae, comatules, asterophons, echini, holuthuri, etc., represented individually a complete collection of this group.
A somewhat nervous conchyliologist would certainly have fainted before other more numerous cases, in which were classified the specimens of mulloscs. It was a collection of inestimable value, which time fails me to describe minutely."
Couldn't have said that better myself, sir. (Spellcheck had a field day with that excerpt.)
The reader who enjoys Jules Verne would laugh at that unending string of...nonsensical science, and those who do not enjoy his writing would roll their eyes. That's just fine, he's not for everyone. But I get a kick out of it.
3) The imagination of this man. You have to consider the fact that Verne's writings were from the 1870s. For reference, things that were happening in the 1860s-70s: Jack the Ripper made a name for himself in the slums of London, the Civil War raged, the first transatlantic telegraph cable was completed (and makes an appearance in the book), Victor Hugo writes Les Mis, and the American West was being settled. Read: People were busy with life and the idea of journeying across the world in a megalith submarine in an era where submarines were still a new concept was genuinely a figment of the imagination. Those concepts had simply not existed before, which is wild to think about (and also why I like Dracula so much, but that's for another review). Verne not only created his world, but then brilliantly crafted it into a figurative work of science. (If you want to read about how he calculated the thickness of the sub's glass domes based on the pressure of each cubic foot of sea, the weight distribution of the material, and the curvature of the concave shape, hit me up.)
Bonus: You know that scene with the giant squid that has become the iconic mascot of the book? The one that's meant to be harrowing and treacherous and novel? The one where you should be sitting on the edge of your seat, hurriedly scanning the page? Try listening to that scene where every place the words Monster or Creature or Squid or Beast or Nightmare was replaced with the British pronunciation of Poulp. Because it is. And when you say it with a British accent there isn't any "L". Try remaining gripped when it's a giant "poop" slinging people around and trying to devour the ship. That's "poop" 22x.
Saved room for critique: Verne uses "Rapidity" with far too much frequency, and with as much time as he spends describing crustacea, he only honors a sailor being thrown about in the tentacles of a giant squid, possibly plunging to his death with the mere description of "an unhappy man."
I feel about Jules Verne's audiobooks a similar way I feel about Chronicles of Narnia audiobooks. They each are very different, and not comparable, but they both do provide comfort and happiness simply by being on in the background.
1) Each book mentally transports me to Disney World, waiting in line for the Journey to the Center of the Earth or 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea rides. Disney brilliantly creates the world around you so you forget you're waiting in line for 2 hours for a 4 minute ride. As you stand in line, there's no end of things to discover, as you're immersed in an animatronic science experiment. Beakers are boiling, log books lay open, specimens are propped up on the counter, and instruments of great discovery are strewn everywhere. This strange amusement in observation is how Verne needs to be enjoyed. Don't expect a classic story arc, just be happy with the journey and the absurd things you'll discover along the way.
2) Verne does an exceptional job at bypassing the "novel" and creating something that quite literally could be a professorial documentation. That's most certainly the charm of it all, and that type of charm has to be appreciated before Jules Verne can be truly enjoyed.
Ahem, an example: "The division containing the zoophytes presented the most curious specimens of the two groups of polypi and echinodermes. In the first group, the tubipores, were gorgones arranged like a fan, soft sponges of Syria, ises of the Moluccas, pennatules, and admirable virgularia of the Norwegian seas, variegated unbellulairae, alcyonariae, a whole series of madrepores, which my master Milne-Edwards has so cleverly classified, among which I remarked some wonderful flabellinae, oculinae of the Island of Bourbon, the "Neptune's car" of the Antilles, superb varietys of corals, in short, every species of those curious polypi of which entire islands are formed, which will one day become continents. Of the echinodermes, remarkable for their coating of spines, asteri, sea-stars, pantacrinae, comatules, asterophons, echini, holuthuri, etc., represented individually a complete collection of this group.
A somewhat nervous conchyliologist would certainly have fainted before other more numerous cases, in which were classified the specimens of mulloscs. It was a collection of inestimable value, which time fails me to describe minutely."
Couldn't have said that better myself, sir. (Spellcheck had a field day with that excerpt.)
The reader who enjoys Jules Verne would laugh at that unending string of...nonsensical science, and those who do not enjoy his writing would roll their eyes. That's just fine, he's not for everyone. But I get a kick out of it.
3) The imagination of this man. You have to consider the fact that Verne's writings were from the 1870s. For reference, things that were happening in the 1860s-70s: Jack the Ripper made a name for himself in the slums of London, the Civil War raged, the first transatlantic telegraph cable was completed (and makes an appearance in the book), Victor Hugo writes Les Mis, and the American West was being settled. Read: People were busy with life and the idea of journeying across the world in a megalith submarine in an era where submarines were still a new concept was genuinely a figment of the imagination. Those concepts had simply not existed before, which is wild to think about (and also why I like Dracula so much, but that's for another review). Verne not only created his world, but then brilliantly crafted it into a figurative work of science. (If you want to read about how he calculated the thickness of the sub's glass domes based on the pressure of each cubic foot of sea, the weight distribution of the material, and the curvature of the concave shape, hit me up.)
Bonus: You know that scene with the giant squid that has become the iconic mascot of the book? The one that's meant to be harrowing and treacherous and novel? The one where you should be sitting on the edge of your seat, hurriedly scanning the page? Try listening to that scene where every place the words Monster or Creature or Squid or Beast or Nightmare was replaced with the British pronunciation of Poulp. Because it is. And when you say it with a British accent there isn't any "L". Try remaining gripped when it's a giant "poop" slinging people around and trying to devour the ship. That's "poop" 22x.
Saved room for critique: Verne uses "Rapidity" with far too much frequency, and with as much time as he spends describing crustacea, he only honors a sailor being thrown about in the tentacles of a giant squid, possibly plunging to his death with the mere description of "an unhappy man."
I feel about Jules Verne's audiobooks a similar way I feel about Chronicles of Narnia audiobooks. They each are very different, and not comparable, but they both do provide comfort and happiness simply by being on in the background.
October 26, 2020
I believe I may have found a new favorite author from the 19th century! Scooch over Melville and make a spot for our friend, Jules Verne. 20,000 Leagues ticked so many boxes for what it takes to draw a SFF reader in and keep them engaged for 8+hours of reading:
-A mystery
-Adventure
-Distinct and fun characters
-A world of wonder and awesome discoveries
-Jam-packed plot progression and spot-on pacing
Verne has such a distinct way of writing that brings this 19th century story to the 21st century while remaining just as digestible as it would have been when it was first published. There is some science spread through out, but not so much as to lose the reader in technicalities. I would recommend 20,000 leagues to anyone who enjoys a good adventure.
-A mystery
-Adventure
-Distinct and fun characters
-A world of wonder and awesome discoveries
-Jam-packed plot progression and spot-on pacing
Verne has such a distinct way of writing that brings this 19th century story to the 21st century while remaining just as digestible as it would have been when it was first published. There is some science spread through out, but not so much as to lose the reader in technicalities. I would recommend 20,000 leagues to anyone who enjoys a good adventure.
July 27, 2016
I read the free eBook version from www.gutenberg.org
Though more famous than the other two novels in this series (In Search of the Castaways, 20,000 Leagues..., and The Mysterious Island), I didn't enjoy it as much as In Search of the Castaways. There were too many long detailed and rather dry descriptions of obscure undersea flora and fauna, and specific locations (latitude and longitude)/speed/depth to suit me. Some facts were incorrect because they were not known at the time the book was written (such as the description of them finding open water at the South Pole.) The book is rather long with long slow sections separating the more interesting events. Combined with the relatively difficult old vocabulary, I think modern middle-grade readers will struggle to maintain interest long enough to finish.
Though more famous than the other two novels in this series (In Search of the Castaways, 20,000 Leagues..., and The Mysterious Island), I didn't enjoy it as much as In Search of the Castaways. There were too many long detailed and rather dry descriptions of obscure undersea flora and fauna, and specific locations (latitude and longitude)/speed/depth to suit me. Some facts were incorrect because they were not known at the time the book was written (such as the description of them finding open water at the South Pole.) The book is rather long with long slow sections separating the more interesting events. Combined with the relatively difficult old vocabulary, I think modern middle-grade readers will struggle to maintain interest long enough to finish.
January 31, 2026
The final 6th or so of this book takes a significant leap in intensity, taking it from 4 to 5 stars for yours truly. Heart-piercing climax, Captain Nemo is a tremendous villain.
Author Jules Verne writes "world-exploration" adventure better than most, in my humble (and not uncommon) opinion. He has a clear passion for the mysteries of the natural world. Have now enjoyed his "top three" works: Around the World in 80 Days, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and this one. As with the other two, in this story Verne presents EXCELLENT supporting characters to the protagonist, individuals I enjoy significantly.
As with Journey to the Center of the Earth---but to an even greater degree---I was constantly moved to worship the Creator who has lavished such creative bounty in the aquatic realm.
P.S. If you are into audiobooks, I recommend Jonathan Keeble's reading of this book. Absolutely top drawer. You will not regret it.
Author Jules Verne writes "world-exploration" adventure better than most, in my humble (and not uncommon) opinion. He has a clear passion for the mysteries of the natural world. Have now enjoyed his "top three" works: Around the World in 80 Days, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and this one. As with the other two, in this story Verne presents EXCELLENT supporting characters to the protagonist, individuals I enjoy significantly.
As with Journey to the Center of the Earth---but to an even greater degree---I was constantly moved to worship the Creator who has lavished such creative bounty in the aquatic realm.
P.S. If you are into audiobooks, I recommend Jonathan Keeble's reading of this book. Absolutely top drawer. You will not regret it.
March 14, 2017
Escribo esto a 5 minutos de haber terminado el libro y no me puedo detener a escribir una reseña en forma por que estoy buscando ingenieros para construir una maldita máquina del tiempo y traer de regreso a Julio Verne. Es en serio, no te rías. Carajo, que buen libro. ¿Quieres ingeniería del más alto nivel? PUM, TOMA UN POCO. ¿Qué tal pelear con un hacha versus ocho malditos krakens? CLARO,POR QUE NO. Uhm ¿Y dilemas existencialistas?¿personajes bien construídos?¿recetas de platillos exóticos? PÍDELO Y SE TE DARÁ.
Solo de saber que nunca conoceré la historia detrás del enigmático Capitán Nemo o cual fue el destino del Nautilus me parte el corazón. Fue demasiado para mi pobre espíritu, este libro me va a perseguir por muchos años.
Dios, necesito un whisky.
Solo de saber que nunca conoceré la historia detrás del enigmático Capitán Nemo o cual fue el destino del Nautilus me parte el corazón. Fue demasiado para mi pobre espíritu, este libro me va a perseguir por muchos años.
Dios, necesito un whisky.
September 2, 2022
I love Jules Verne. Definitely outstanding for its time but it wasn't as gripping as the others, kinda slow and draggy. But you'll love it you really like classic science fiction.
March 30, 2020
Published in 1870 by French author Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea starts out with a hooking tale about a mysterious "sea monster" roaming throughout the seas and crashing into ships. As the story unfolds three men are confined into a submarine with apparently no other option of escape. Here, character arcs are massively developed due to the minimal amount of characters. There is a connection I can infer from this book to one of the other classics I am reading: "To Kill A Mockingbird." Jules Verne is unlike Harper Lee in the way of her writing style. Jules only introduces few characters and makes them the main drivers of the story. Her style helps her change her unique perspectives and focus on them. Yet as To Kill A Mockingbird unravels, Harper quickly introduces well over 5 characters in the first chapter. It was slightly overwhelming, but I found that I was massively absorbed in the book due to the heaps of information. These writing styles can be both effective, and they are the heart of the book.
To be perfectly honest, I did not enjoy Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea as much as I originally predicted I would. This is because of the length of the book. Hundreds and hundreds of pages are written, yet many parts are quite redundant and useless. There are small pieces of the journey such as jargon about marine life and etc that would be, in my opinion, much better off deleted. But it is there to prove the point that they indeed have travelled twenty thousand leagues. Heaps of research must have gone been done in order for the author to have so much knowledge. From the disappearance from the Abraham Lincoln, all the way to the horrible sinking of the other vessel, it has truly been a journey. But truly, after all this, what else is there to discover? "That which is far off and exceeding deep, who can find it out?" - Ecclesiastes.
To be perfectly honest, I did not enjoy Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea as much as I originally predicted I would. This is because of the length of the book. Hundreds and hundreds of pages are written, yet many parts are quite redundant and useless. There are small pieces of the journey such as jargon about marine life and etc that would be, in my opinion, much better off deleted. But it is there to prove the point that they indeed have travelled twenty thousand leagues. Heaps of research must have gone been done in order for the author to have so much knowledge. From the disappearance from the Abraham Lincoln, all the way to the horrible sinking of the other vessel, it has truly been a journey. But truly, after all this, what else is there to discover? "That which is far off and exceeding deep, who can find it out?" - Ecclesiastes.
February 6, 2021
I loved this as a family read-aloud!
March 15, 2025
I didn’t enjoy it that much but it’s an objectively impressive book considering when it was written and just the sheer number of fish this guy knew.
March 24, 2026
conseil had zero personality what was the point of his character except to agree with aronnax
February 2, 2021
To me, Jules Verne's is one of the godfathers of science fiction and fantasy. Oddly though, I'd never read 20,000 Leagues. Having watched the Disney movie over Christmas, I thought I should move it to the top of my reading list. The detail and thought that went into the book is amazing. My only complaint is with the plot. It kind of doesn't have one. It's more like journal of a scientific expedition. Much like Ned Land's harpoon, it needed a sharpened point to give it a narrative edge.
November 28, 2021
I was so ready to be done with this book I didn’t mind the abrupt ending. It’s an interesting reflection on the mid 1800s when Europe was at the height of colonization and Imperialism. Captain Nemo is the most interesting character for while he’s misguided he’s more empathetic toward the oppressed. The main character describes the indigenous people as savages and other derogatory descriptions. The book is about a man and his two companions that end up on a submarine exploring the world against their will. The descriptions of the submarine can be mind-numbing in details but my grandson would love it so it depends on the reader. Captain Nemo at one point gives a pearl diver a bag of pearls making him never having to work again because he was diving in the area where the people in power killed Nemo’s family. Later he kills in revenge many more people that had nothing to do with his family’s death. Nemo is a man of contradictions and mysterious to the end.
March 1, 2020
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and other Classic Novels BOOK REVIEW.
I have to admit that I thought this book was a non-fiction book, but when I searched it up on Wikipedia, I found out that it was a science fiction book written in 1870. I initially thought it would be those "classic" books that are boring, but it turned out to be pretty good. I thought it was non-fiction because they kept on listing facts and information and because the storyline seems believable and realistic.
I like how the author developed each character because I could distinctly identify character traits and characteristics from these characters, and I could understand their thinking and actions because of the characteristics. I could tell that Ned Land was hot-tempered and he had a fond taste of hunting down marine animals. I could tell that Professor Aronnax was a very eager and smart learner who has very sensible and wanted to learn as much as possible onboard the Nautilus. I inferred that Conseil, Aronnax's manservant, was loyal and logical and has a good memory. I could tell that Captain Nemo was calm and collected when needed most and was mysterious in his ways. He also had some sort of hatred towards the land and he was very caring, especially towards his men who worked for him.
I didn't like how unpredictable and off-topic the ending was, and I think it added a bit too much fiction compared to the rest of the book. I guessed that the captain would say that they could leave, and both sides would be a little sad because of the departure, but the ending just added too many new elements in a matter of a few pages. I found it very confusing to read along. I think the author could have used more detail or explained in more detail what was happening, to help readers figure out what is going on. It also completely changed Captain Nemo's character trait, and he turned into a person who has no control and is violent, something we rarely saw throughout the book.
I also didn't like how the author added random strings of facts. I would be reading about something and then the author would list a page or a paragraph of facts about the different types of fish or something else, while still maintaining the fiction part of the book. That is another factor for why I thought it was a non-fiction book and a factor for why I thought that some parts of the story were boring.
I did like the plot and the storyline and how the book unfolded (except for the ending). The author wrote this book so articulately that it made me feel like I was there, experiencing it all. If I look back and reflect, I realized a major chunk of the book was describing different oceans, seas, fish, maneuvers of the Nautilus, and I realized how the author made things interesting so people would enjoy reading on.
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea embarks on a journey of the life you don't want to miss out on. I would recommend it to people who like non-fiction or people who enjoy an adventurous story.
I have to admit that I thought this book was a non-fiction book, but when I searched it up on Wikipedia, I found out that it was a science fiction book written in 1870. I initially thought it would be those "classic" books that are boring, but it turned out to be pretty good. I thought it was non-fiction because they kept on listing facts and information and because the storyline seems believable and realistic.
I like how the author developed each character because I could distinctly identify character traits and characteristics from these characters, and I could understand their thinking and actions because of the characteristics. I could tell that Ned Land was hot-tempered and he had a fond taste of hunting down marine animals. I could tell that Professor Aronnax was a very eager and smart learner who has very sensible and wanted to learn as much as possible onboard the Nautilus. I inferred that Conseil, Aronnax's manservant, was loyal and logical and has a good memory. I could tell that Captain Nemo was calm and collected when needed most and was mysterious in his ways. He also had some sort of hatred towards the land and he was very caring, especially towards his men who worked for him.
I didn't like how unpredictable and off-topic the ending was, and I think it added a bit too much fiction compared to the rest of the book. I guessed that the captain would say that they could leave, and both sides would be a little sad because of the departure, but the ending just added too many new elements in a matter of a few pages. I found it very confusing to read along. I think the author could have used more detail or explained in more detail what was happening, to help readers figure out what is going on. It also completely changed Captain Nemo's character trait, and he turned into a person who has no control and is violent, something we rarely saw throughout the book.
I also didn't like how the author added random strings of facts. I would be reading about something and then the author would list a page or a paragraph of facts about the different types of fish or something else, while still maintaining the fiction part of the book. That is another factor for why I thought it was a non-fiction book and a factor for why I thought that some parts of the story were boring.
I did like the plot and the storyline and how the book unfolded (except for the ending). The author wrote this book so articulately that it made me feel like I was there, experiencing it all. If I look back and reflect, I realized a major chunk of the book was describing different oceans, seas, fish, maneuvers of the Nautilus, and I realized how the author made things interesting so people would enjoy reading on.
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea embarks on a journey of the life you don't want to miss out on. I would recommend it to people who like non-fiction or people who enjoy an adventurous story.
December 25, 2018
While searching for the tremendous black whale that is sinking ships, the main character and his faithful servant are swept overboard and picked up by Captain Nemo of the Nautilus. The two men along with the ship's harpooner, find themselves trapped in the Nautilus, unable to leave because Nemo has forsaken all mankind. To keep himself and his extraordinary ship a secret, no one, once aboard can ever leave. This is the story of adventures all around the globe and under the sea.
This was a great book.
I happened to have read both Moby Dick and this book in the same year. The forward was written by Ray Bradbury where he contrasted Nemo's love of the sea and Ahab's hatred. It was a great forward and well worth the listen. Very interesting. Audio read by James Frain.
This was a great book.
I happened to have read both Moby Dick and this book in the same year. The forward was written by Ray Bradbury where he contrasted Nemo's love of the sea and Ahab's hatred. It was a great forward and well worth the listen. Very interesting. Audio read by James Frain.
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February 1, 2021Wow! This is a very interesting book. Inside, a professor, his servant, and a cool Canadian dude gets trapped in a 'narwhal' and finds out that this is actually an extraordinary ship called the Nautilius. The captain of the ship is called Captain Nemo. Together, they discover the marvels of the seas and the works of the ship. They travel to islands and bring treasures. However, they want to escape back onto land –– with the treasures...... and they have to find a way.
This book used amazing vocabulary to describe the wonders of the ocean, and creative imagery to let the readers be fully involved in the story.
This book used amazing vocabulary to describe the wonders of the ocean, and creative imagery to let the readers be fully involved in the story.
August 22, 2021
Jules Verne es un rock star, una leyenda, es la primera vez que leo a este magnífico escritor, quede rendido ante la pluma de Jules, el libro es increíble, nuestro personaje principal es el grandioso Nautilus que está cien años antes de su tiempo por su tecnología, El Capitan nemo a quien uno ama y odia al mismo tiempo y nuestro adorado profesor Aronnax quien es el responsable de contarnos su maravilloso viaje
September 2, 2023
Would give 0 stars if I could.
I read “80 days around the world” and loved it so I decided to read this book by the same author.
I’ll quote a sentence from the book that sums it up.
“I end here this catalogue, which is somewhat dry (…)”. This book is a 10 months under the sea journey where the main character painfully catalogues and describes an endless list of sea creatures. The action moves really slow. It is dull, boring and uninteresting. Save yourself. Don’t read it.
I read “80 days around the world” and loved it so I decided to read this book by the same author.
I’ll quote a sentence from the book that sums it up.
“I end here this catalogue, which is somewhat dry (…)”. This book is a 10 months under the sea journey where the main character painfully catalogues and describes an endless list of sea creatures. The action moves really slow. It is dull, boring and uninteresting. Save yourself. Don’t read it.
November 22, 2022
Read to kids, who liked the book a lot. From a homeschool mom perspective, I loved all the vocabulary, science, geography, and the examples of striving to get along and be kind to people even when you don’t agree with them. Definitely not “twaddle.” There were some slow parts to the book, hence the four stars.
April 6, 2021
The Professor, a Canadian, and the doctor's companion all find Nemo
January 18, 2022
Eine wunderschöne Geschichte die einen die Tiefen des Meeres erleben lässt und die viele Abenteuer bereithält
August 12, 2024
It was so bad I wanna give it a 0. But I can’t. So I give you….. a 1.
January 12, 2026
Quite interesting book - having now read three of his works, I can say I find this the most intriguing so far. The character of Captain Nemo and the ethical and moral concerns he shows is quite interesting in contrast to the protagonist, who thinks he has all the answers prior to meeting the captain. Worth the read!
August 30, 2023
Listened on Audioble. Can't beat a bit of classic fiction.
March 24, 2026
I read one of the F. P. Walter translations. It was definitely a more catalogue-y than I was expecting, but I really came to appreciate that.
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