dutchlee's review
4.0
A wonderful novel by Jules Verne. In this book, Dr. Ferguson, his servant Joe, and his friend Dick Kennedy take a journey across Africa. At a time when vast spaces of Africa remained uncharted and many explorers died at the hands of African tribes, Dr. Ferguson hoped to use the aerial travel provided by a balloon to escape the many dangers of Africa and quicken the journey time.
Verne does a fantastic job capturing the spirit of exploration and details the various parts, wonders, and dangers of Africa well - the African tribes, the Nile and the Niger rivers, the desert, jungles, valleys, lakes, mountains, winds, and the plethora of animals such as monkeys, alligators, vultures, and lions. I continue to appreciate his ability to weave in science as a main character without making it dull; science comes alive in Verne's stories.
Some interesting quotes:
-"'Besides,' said Kennedy, 'that may prove to be a very dull period when industry will swallow up every thing for its own profit. By dint of inventing machinery, men will end in being eaten up by it!" (123)
"With returning strength, hope had arrives, and with hope came the courage to do and to dare. The past was obliterated in the presence of the future with providential rapidity." (225).
Verne does a fantastic job capturing the spirit of exploration and details the various parts, wonders, and dangers of Africa well - the African tribes, the Nile and the Niger rivers, the desert, jungles, valleys, lakes, mountains, winds, and the plethora of animals such as monkeys, alligators, vultures, and lions. I continue to appreciate his ability to weave in science as a main character without making it dull; science comes alive in Verne's stories.
Some interesting quotes:
-"'Besides,' said Kennedy, 'that may prove to be a very dull period when industry will swallow up every thing for its own profit. By dint of inventing machinery, men will end in being eaten up by it!" (123)
"With returning strength, hope had arrives, and with hope came the courage to do and to dare. The past was obliterated in the presence of the future with providential rapidity." (225).
melisaesra13's review against another edition
3.0
Acțiunea a făcut cartea mult mai citibilă. Personajele de asemenea au fost plăcute. Din pricina erei Victoriene, rasismul din carte este omniprezent. Acest detaliu, cu tot cu violența contra animalelor a fost deranjant, iar construirea personajelor a fost prost făcută. În rest, romanul este bun.
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viktoriya's review against another edition
4.0
This was Jules Verne's debut novel and it is amazing that he was able to create this on his first time. it is certainly a product of it's time and it is very evident in relationship between Dr. Ferguson and Joe (a master and his servant) and in how our characters view native Africans and their beliefs. The premise of the novel is to travel across African continent from East to West in a hot air balloon. Let's go over our characters first: Dr. Ferguson, the mastermind of the whole operation. He is a scientist, know-it-all upper class gentleman. He enlist his friend, Dick, a Scottish hunter, who is good with guns. Dick is sure that the whole expedition is a bad idea and only comes to London to persuade Dr. Ferguson to abandon this madness. When that doesn't succeed, he travels with Dr. Ferguson all the way to Africa, once again to make sure the Dr. doesn't take off. Needless to say, Dick is not successful and very easily persuaded to join Dr. Ferguson. Our last hero is Joe, Dr. Ferguson's servant and butler. His loyalty to the master knows no bounds and he brings a little bit of humor (however, he does love to state the obvious). Neither Dick nor Joe exhibit a lot of character or free will. All of their decisions are based on what Dr. Ferguson wants or says. Even when Dr. Ferguson openly asks their opinion on how to proceed (which, by the way happens only once), they all agree that Dr knows what's best.
Novel itself was revolutionary for it's time. Africa wasn't yet fully "explored" and majority of the expeditions were not ending well - either due to diseases or unfriendly locals. Verne provides a very long list of explorers (both successful and not so much). To be honest, I don't know if all of them were real or if they were imagined by Verne. Because not much was known about certain regions of Africa at the time, Verne took some liberties with describing landscapes. But, this is not a work of non-fiction and I have no problem with it. He also spends too long (in my opinion) on describing the balloon and how it will work with Dr. Ferguson's invention. Some readers might find it interesting, but I was somewhat bored.
Now for the problematic portion...It is very condescending and racist towards Africans. Verne doesn't shy away from using derogatory terms. There are scenes that were uncomfortable to read (even though I fully understood the time period it was written in and the general view of African people at that time). Even with that extra room, it was a little too much for me at times.
Novel itself was revolutionary for it's time. Africa wasn't yet fully "explored" and majority of the expeditions were not ending well - either due to diseases or unfriendly locals. Verne provides a very long list of explorers (both successful and not so much). To be honest, I don't know if all of them were real or if they were imagined by Verne. Because not much was known about certain regions of Africa at the time, Verne took some liberties with describing landscapes. But, this is not a work of non-fiction and I have no problem with it. He also spends too long (in my opinion) on describing the balloon and how it will work with Dr. Ferguson's invention. Some readers might find it interesting, but I was somewhat bored.
Now for the problematic portion...It is very condescending and racist towards Africans. Verne doesn't shy away from using derogatory terms. There are scenes that were uncomfortable to read (even though I fully understood the time period it was written in and the general view of African people at that time). Even with that extra room, it was a little too much for me at times.
aylisif's review against another edition
4.0
IM BACK!! It has been so long omg! But I finally completed my first Verne's book. I'm very surprised, because it was very good and adventurous. I can't wait to read more of Jules Verne work. I think I'm gonna love all of his books! :D
startjpw23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book is really slow paced. It is a decent read. Not a lot happens. Not particularly exciting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Slavery, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Cannibalism and Violence
blueforblues's review against another edition
I guess I understand it for it's time.....but there's no reason I should appreciate the casual racism, colonialist ramblings, and romantisation of a guy who's....really full of himself. My only source of amusement came from the fact that the guy very much reminds me of Gaston from Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" :)))
kahale's review against another edition
3.0
Dr. Ferguson, his servant and his faithful sidekick go off in a balloon over Africa to try and find the source of the Nile. It makes me wonder if this was published before 80 Days. Similar story plot but much more intensive a character.
ladulcinella's review against another edition
3.0
Not the best Verne I read. It still amazes me how modern some comments feel. At the other side: the tone sadly is very racist and only understandable if you look at the time it was written.
However there are far better works of Julles Verne worth the read.
However there are far better works of Julles Verne worth the read.
carrotex's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25