Scan barcode
witchnova's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, and Classism
ninamanon's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
What a fun story! It was easy to like the eccentric characters, and I really rooted for Mr Fogg. I think in our day and age, he might’ve been labeled neurodivergent.
The prose was fairly simple, which made it easy to read. Sometimes, it felt like Verne was listing off facts from an encyclopedia, which could get boring. I was especially delighted by his description of a mango (strangest mango I’ve ever heard of) and his insistence that somehow betting was more civilized and respected than gambling.
Obviously, considering the time period, there was racism and white supremacy in this novel, but that was to be expected. While it’s of course horrible to paint Native Americans and some Indian tribes as murderous cannibals, I must confess I found the picture Verne paints of Americans (rash, corrupt, violent daredevils) hilarious. I was suprised he at least seemed to respect the beauty of other countries, and that he added a female character, who not only seemed to have a little influence and more lines than you’d expect, but also was Indian herself (though, only acceptable because of he European education, so yeah, white supremacy).
This book made me laugh on multiple occasions, though sometimes it might’ve not been the writer’s intention but my modern knowledge making some “facts” very funny to read.
It also made me appreciate how much more accessible the world has gotten, and how much we’ve learned from that (and destroyed).
All in all, I believe this truly deserves the title of classic, and what I have learned is: if you’re rich, male and white, anything is possible.
The prose was fairly simple, which made it easy to read. Sometimes, it felt like Verne was listing off facts from an encyclopedia, which could get boring. I was especially delighted by his description of a mango (strangest mango I’ve ever heard of) and his insistence that somehow betting was more civilized and respected than gambling.
Obviously, considering the time period, there was racism and white supremacy in this novel, but that was to be expected. While it’s of course horrible to paint Native Americans and some Indian tribes as murderous cannibals, I must confess I found the picture Verne paints of Americans (rash, corrupt, violent daredevils) hilarious. I was suprised he at least seemed to respect the beauty of other countries, and that he added a female character, who not only seemed to have a little influence and more lines than you’d expect, but also was Indian herself (though, only acceptable because of he European education, so yeah, white supremacy).
This book made me laugh on multiple occasions, though sometimes it might’ve not been the writer’s intention but my modern knowledge making some “facts” very funny to read.
It also made me appreciate how much more accessible the world has gotten, and how much we’ve learned from that (and destroyed).
All in all, I believe this truly deserves the title of classic, and what I have learned is: if you’re rich, male and white, anything is possible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
ok7a's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, and Classism
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: Animal death, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Cannibalism, Murder, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation
manu_k's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Upon re-reading it recently, I have come to the realization that little 11 year old me had no idea what she was reading. I should probably re-read everything I read before the age of 15, but anyways...
This book reminded me of why I fell in love with English classics in the first place. The world-building, the pace, the dialogue, it all captivates me and asks me to hold on tight for the ride. While it is truly an exquisite book that will always have a place in my heart, it is not without glaring flaws.
Period-typical misogyny and racism is abundant. As an Indian, I was very much offended about the way Indian culture of those times has been written. While some things hold truth (no shoes in the temple and the Sati pratha come to mind), in some cases Jules Verne is totally talking out of his butt, and clearly has founded his ideas on India of those times on unreliable sources. The language used in describing people not of British descent is offensive, and the colonized countries they pass through have been described as 'benefitting culturally and economically from British rule', at par with the thoughts of those times.
The pacing starts out fast, loses it in the middle, but regains it around the end. If you have watched the movie before reading this book, beware those two are totally different.
This book reminded me of why I fell in love with English classics in the first place. The world-building, the pace, the dialogue, it all captivates me and asks me to hold on tight for the ride. While it is truly an exquisite book that will always have a place in my heart, it is not without glaring flaws.
Period-typical misogyny and racism is abundant. As an Indian, I was very much offended about the way Indian culture of those times has been written. While some things hold truth (no shoes in the temple and the Sati pratha come to mind), in some cases Jules Verne is totally talking out of his butt, and clearly has founded his ideas on India of those times on unreliable sources. The language used in describing people not of British descent is offensive, and the colonized countries they pass through have been described as 'benefitting culturally and economically from British rule', at par with the thoughts of those times.
The pacing starts out fast, loses it in the middle, but regains it around the end. If you have watched the movie before reading this book, beware those two are totally different.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gun violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Drug use, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, and Alcohol
readerette's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It's a good story, really, but the colonialist language of the narrator and behaviors of the characters, and the shallowness of the characters, don't redeem it enough for me.
It also feels like a fable, in a way: keep your cool and things will work out. Not a bad thing, but a little trite.
It also feels like a fable, in a way: keep your cool and things will work out. Not a bad thing, but a little trite.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, and Classism