At page 27, the story is well under way in “The Mysterious Island,” by Jules Verne. There have been five characters introduced; Captain Cyrus Harding, a union officer, Gideon Spilett, a reporter for the NY Herald who had been reporting on the war, the captain’s free, willing black servant Neb, a sailor named Pencroft, and Pencroft’s young friend Herbert. They were all trapped in Richmond during Ulysses S. Grant’s siege, and the story begins after they have escaped on a hot air balloon in hurricane-force winds (which stopped the fighting).
The winds sweep them out to sea, and as they approach land their balloon begins to fall. Everything of weight is thrown off to keep the balloon in the air, including pocket knives and the basket they stood in (they hung to the net). When they reach land, Captain Harding is found to be missing, and they search for him. Pencroft is doubtful about his chances of survival, but says nothing to the effect, opting to keep his companions’ hopes up. While searching they cross off of the island they were on to a larger island very near it. Here Pencroft and Herbert find food and shelter, while Neb and Gideon continue the search.
The book is quite interesting, especially since I have not read any of the supposedly common “stranded on a island” books. What’s even better is that the characters have nothing but their wits to use to survive. Thankfully, Herbert seems to be fairly well-versed in a variety of animals (he knew the difference between a mussel and a lithodome, for instance.
Pencroft is already my favorite character; he’s the only one who isn’t disillusioned about Captain Harding’s chances of making it to shore in the crashing waves (although he probably will for the sake of the story). We don’t know that much about the characters yet, however, so that could change at any time.
According to the introduction this book will also tie up some loose ends from one of Verne’s other novels, which I hope will be one of the ones that I have read.
I didn't know Jules Verne's books worked like a series. I thought they could stand alone. Is this a book I can read without actively concentrating?
ReplyDeleteI'd say it's a fairly easy read; you just have to glaze over the names of all the animals you've never heard of. Also, they are really aren't really a series, they just all have the same basis "Fantastic Voyages." I believe they occur in the same world, however, as I believe Captain Nemo makes an appearance in this one.
ReplyDeleteDo you think you will appreciate having some loose ends tied up, or do you think there is more value in the mystery?
ReplyDeleteThe mystery doesn't really show up too often in the story, although instances of "it" are becoming more fequent and important as the book progresses. I'll be glad to see the solution just like I would in any other book; glad to have a short period of great reading, but sad to see a good book end.
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