Around the World in Eighty Days

Around the World in Eighty Days is a novel written by Jules Verne. It was first published in French as a serial completed on 1872-12-21. It is the 11th book in the Extraordinary Voyages series.

In the book an extremely punctual wealthy British named Phileas Fogg, tells his acquaintances that, now that industrial advancements in travel have been completed, a person could travel around the world in 80 days provided they planed their route with precision. His acquaintances scoff at such an unbelievably short time reminding him that any number of things could go wrong on such a long journey, but Fogg is resolute. A wager is made and Fogg leaves immediately to win the bet, but, just before he leaves town a huge amount of money is stolen from a bank, and law enforcement are convinced Fogg is the thief, so they are hot on his trail.

The book was so successful, that 16 years after its publication, journalist Nellie Bly actually traveled the route set out in the book and completed it in only 72 days, meeting Verne at the end. Several others followed in her footsteps.

Personal

Due to the popularity of the novel, many adaptions have been made, so I had been aware of the the story since I was a child. However, having no love for European literature, I never bothered to actually read the book. However, after finishing the video game adaption of Tweety's High-Flying Adventure, my interest in the story was once again piqued, and I felt I owed it to myself to finally read the novel.

Status

I don't own this book, but I'm listening to an audio book recording.

Review

Good

• I like how early in the novel Phileas Fogg is suspected to be a criminal, and the suspicion continues through the entire novel.

Bad

• While I tend to like eccentric characters, Phileas Fogg is annoying. His unflinching belief that careful planning can somehow control weather, mechanical failure, civil unrest, and the like is just obnoxious. Also, as far a heroes go, I have a hard time rooting for a rich white man who mistreats his employees.
• As far as foils go, Detective Fix is pretty boring.

Ugly

• The characters of the story are quite racist. Even those who aren't British insist that the British colonization of India and the Americas is a wonderful good, not just because they're bringing technology to the "savages," but also because they're stamping out their awful non-Christian beliefs. But, even when they interfere with a native religious ritual to rescue a woman who was to become a human sacrifice, the author can't have them save a native, but a woman "properly" raised by the British. There are plenty of jabs at the French as well — much of which can be dismissed since Verne is French himself — but I'm still sure a lot of other French people wouldn't appreciate them.
• Aouda falls in love with the incredibly standoffish Fogg, not because he's interesting or romantic, but because he spends a lot of money on her.

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