The Mysterious Island is one of Verne's most famous books. Multiple movie remakes have been made, including an upcoming blockbuster directed by Brad Peyton. It's the story of four resourceful men united by desperation to escape from the prisons of the besieged Confederate town of Richmond. After stealing the hot-air balloon stationed in the town, they are blown by a ferocious wind into the depths of the Pacific Ocean, where as unrealistically as flying ten-thousand kilometres in a balloon, they wind up stranded on a strange island. They heartily make a new life and prosper, all the while discovering new secrets about the "Mysterious Island".
The book is filled with those classical Victorian Era phrases, that give it an antique feel. Much of the first pages of the book is devoted to the geographical analysis of the island and the immense detail that Verne gives can be somewhat overwhelming at times. But in time, when the fairly long setup period ends, the mysteries unravel and the plot that Verne creates is astounding, and the frantic conclusion brings and end to the deep story.
Jules Verne put into the book an incredible knowledge of mathematics and the natural sciences. Every member of the castaways was skilled or knowledgeable in one thing or another. As was said in the book, "There could not be a group of men more able to survive on this island." The characters themselves are examples of the ideal patriotic American. They are loyal and never lose confidence, especially with Captain Cyrus Harding, the engineer that was indispensable to their survival. However, a mysterious benevolent being is present throughout the book, which saves the little band of castaways in a way no human can. Whether it was the saving of Top, the dog who was almost killed from a dugong, to the killing of the vicious pirates who attacked the island. I found this somewhat unreal, as it felt like the characters were cheating their way out. While this might've been the style of writing employed by European authors back then, I feel that that this turns it from a fiction novel into a fantasy.
Despite that, I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a spirited adventure. As with many good books, when it ended, there was a sudden sadness; the good times employed in the completion of the book were gone.
Jules Verne put into the book an incredible knowledge of mathematics and the natural sciences. Every member of the castaways was skilled or knowledgeable in one thing or another. As was said in the book, "There could not be a group of men more able to survive on this island." The characters themselves are examples of the ideal patriotic American. They are loyal and never lose confidence, especially with Captain Cyrus Harding, the engineer that was indispensable to their survival. However, a mysterious benevolent being is present throughout the book, which saves the little band of castaways in a way no human can. Whether it was the saving of Top, the dog who was almost killed from a dugong, to the killing of the vicious pirates who attacked the island. I found this somewhat unreal, as it felt like the characters were cheating their way out. While this might've been the style of writing employed by European authors back then, I feel that that this turns it from a fiction novel into a fantasy.
Despite that, I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a spirited adventure. As with many good books, when it ended, there was a sudden sadness; the good times employed in the completion of the book were gone.
Excellent review, Dima. I really enjoyed reading it!
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