Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

Reviewed by Eve B.
Grade 8

"From London to Suez via Mont Cenis and Brindisi, by rail and steamboats...7 days. From Suez to Bombay, by steamer...13. From Bombay to Calcutta, by rail...3. From Calcutta to Hong Kong, by steamer...13. From Hong Kong to Yolohame (Japan), by steamer...6. From Yokohama to San Francisco, by steamer.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif..22. From San Francisco to New York, by rail...7. From New York to London by steamer and rail...9. Total...80 days." Is it possible to travel around the world in 80 days? In the twenty-first century, definitely. But in 1872, maybe not.

Around the World in 80 Days, written in 1873, begins in England where the reader is introduced to Phileas Fogg. Mr. Fogg goes to the Reform Club to play cards and finds himself in the middle of a bet. The bet takes him and his friends on exciting adventures around the world. Due to a recent robbery, Fogg is secretly followed, and obstacles are placed in this way to end his travels. Fogg races to win the bet. Will he make the deadline or be foiled by the secret follower?

Jules Verne creates unique and interesting characters. He gives the reader a clear picture of who the characters are but leaves some suspicion to keep the reader reading. For example Jules Verne describes Phileas Fogg in the first chapter. "He was not lavish, no, on the contrary, avaricious; for, whenever he knew that money was needed for a noble, useful, or benevolent purpose, he supplied it quietly and sometime anonymously. He was, in short, the least communicative of men. He talked very little, and seemed all the more mysterious for his taciturn manner." This is just one example which leads the reader to assume by Mr. Foggs actions that he is wealthy and generous man. The author uses descriptive words to create interesting settings of the places Mr. Fogg travels.

The book was certainly interesting and worth the reader's time to read. It is available in hard cover, paperback, online, and in downloadable format. The vocabulary seemed more advanced than books written more recently. Will Phileas Fogg win the bet? I recommend teens read this book and follow Phileas Fogg, and those who follow him, on his adventures to cities around the world.