dustspectre's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I don't know whether it was the fault of Verne or whoever translated the version I had, but boy does this book hate emotions. There will be at maximum one (1) paragraph per chapter dedicated to anything at all emotional, promptly followed by multiple pages dedicated to describing the most mundane of things.
Early in the book, it is shown that Phileas is kind because he gives a beggar some money, an act apparently so moving that Passepartout cries about it. This occurs in about 2 sentances. The next paragraph to focus on anything about the characters' personality or emotions was about 5 chapters later on.
In contrast, there was an entire page dedicated to (and I shit you not) the various jobs of travellers on a train and what their annual salaries were. It was truly incredible to read.
TL;DR, the recent TV show adaptation with David Tennant can barely be called an adaptation, but is far more enjoyable and worth your time than reading this.
Early in the book, it is shown that Phileas is kind because he gives a beggar some money, an act apparently so moving that Passepartout cries about it. This occurs in about 2 sentances. The next paragraph to focus on anything about the characters' personality or emotions was about 5 chapters later on.
In contrast, there was an entire page dedicated to (and I shit you not) the various jobs of travellers on a train and what their annual salaries were. It was truly incredible to read.
TL;DR, the recent TV show adaptation with David Tennant can barely be called an adaptation, but is far more enjoyable and worth your time than reading this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Sexism
There is plenty of racism throughout this book. When Verne is not attacking people's cultures and suggesting they are all barbarians who commit human sacrifice, it is still clear through the text that he treats everyone who isn't European with a high level of distain. In addition, there is some sexism in the form of 'needing to save women and protect them from the horrors from the world', but aside from a couple chapters towards the beginning and some conversations here and there, there is not much sexism (mostly because there is exactly one named female character and she is a damsel in distress)headachesince03's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Cannibalism, Colonisation, Misogyny, Murder, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Mass/school shootings, Animal death, Racism, Sexism, Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Genocide, and Kidnapping
laurenleigh's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It’s interesting how even though I’ve never read Jules Verne until now, his stories seem well known to me. I can see what an impact he made on the science fiction and adventure genres. Though this book is the definition of “dated,” it was still a fun read, especially with Jim Dale narrating! He really is the best. He puts so much life and individuality into his characters! This recording also had little bits of music themed to the current location (sitars in India, ragtime piano in San Francisco, etc.), which was slightly hokey and also cute. But of course, as white British dudes travel the world, there’s a whole bunch of racism casually thrown about. I know, I know, “it was a different time,” but it doesn’t make any less offensive and infuriating when, for example, they’re so relieved to make it to America, having gotten past the barbaric, uncivilized lands of China, India, and Japan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Sexism, and Drug use
josiegjackson's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Nice chill book about the extraordinary feat of travelling around the world in 80 days however it’s the book if it’s time, smitten with racism (white saviour and culture appropriation), sexism (female character has love heart eyes as one the only description.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Sexism
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