General info: Classic science-fiction novel, published in 1864
Storytelling: 5 – Although it’s obvious Verne wanted to educate his readers about different time periods and layers of the earth, he got way too scientific for my liking. It also didn't help that his science is horribly outdated, but I can't fault him for this, being a 21st century reader. The plot lagged at times and lapsed into a lot of preamble associated with the surroundings. I’d find myself reading certain passages over and over, not retaining anything and wondering why the barometer and compass readings were so damn important. Now I am a huge fan of flowery, descriptive prose, but this was just too dense and numerical for my liking. Jules Verne was undoubtedly that kid who asked for the child's science kit for Christmas and then exploded green goop all over the living room. (Do they have living rooms in France?)
However, the occasional sprinkling of action scene was to my liking. Fights between prehistoric water beasts, gigantic men, epic electrical storms while “out to sea”, etc. were all very nice. Although I often found myself drifting off, Verne always reeled me in again.
The story was also funny in a quirky, subtle way. For example, I appreciated Verne’s description of “hunting” eiderdown ducks (I wonder if this really happens), his occasional sarcastic references to the nature of Germans, and Axel’s overly-dramatic and frequent references to how they are all surely going to die in miserable ways. These tidbits popped up out of nowhere on occasion and improved the reading considerably.
Writing: 7 – There’s something very specific about the way Verne writes, and in some odd way, it appeals to me. I’d consider it true science fiction, heavy on the science. It’s not for your everyday reader but it is short and fairly easy to digest, once you get past certain passages. I typically pride myself on having a fairly vast vocabulary, but Verne challenged me with words that led me to dictionary.com, such as savant, polyglot, and anathematize. (Say that last one out loud)
I also was a bit bewildered by a sudden change of tense associated with the big electrical storm. Axel goes from past tense into present rather abruptly. I realize this is a very distressing time for our fearful main character, but I wasn’t quite sure why that moment was the time that Verne decided to throw me for a loop. To what end? It felt a little disjointed, and the use isn’t really obvious to me. Maybe I’m missing something…
Characters: 8 – For a short novel centered around three oddball characters, I think Verne did a fine job. Axel is pitiful and a real downer most of the time, but there is something earnest and honest about him, and he’s especially amusing as a foil against his wacky uncle, Lidenbrock. Hans, their silent and capable Icelandic guide, was my favorite. There’s just something about the strong, silent type that appeals to a girl, and I’ve always loved Scandinavians.
Interestingly, I struggle to identify the antagonist in this story. In many ways, it’s Axel himself, always trying to dissuade his uncle from continuing on. Or perhaps the real bad guy is Saknussemm, teasing them with bits and pieces of his trail. With a name like that, he must have been a jerk.
Best part: So as not to be too predictable, I liked when the travelers stayed overnight with the generous Icelandic family. Verne’s description of the large gaggle of poor children piled on top of each other to make space at the dinner table made me giggle. Otherwise, were I to be predictable, I’d say the fight between the plesiosaur and the ichthyosaur and how Axel at first mistakes them for four different creatures. Oh Axel…
Recommend to: My nerd friends who have a love for science fiction but also have a brain that’s geared more toward math/science. Or anyone who appreciates seeing the word Snæfellsjökull in print.
Reminded me of: Don’t ask me to justify this, considering I’ve only read like 50 pages of him, but Herman Melville. They seem to both be fans of lengthy descriptions with occasional bursts of excitement.(Note: after finishing Moby Dick, I realized that I was way off with this guess)
How I would murder the main character: I would buy the largest manometer on the market and clobber Axel over the head with it. Or I’d feed him to the ichthyosaur.
Sexy parts: Axel’s slightly scandalous mad love for Gräuben, Professor Lidenbrock’s ward. I sure hope after Axel returned alive and they got married that she worked on him not being such a weenie. And I hope she changed her name.
To sum it up: A fun story that is drily imaginative and best taken in small doses.
Overall: 6.5
No comments:
Post a Comment