A Floating City by Jules Verne
Author: Jules Verne | Published: 1870
A Floating City Synopsis
A Floating City, or Une ville flottante, is an adventure novel by French writer Jules Verne first published in 1871. The novel tells the story of Mrs. Weldon, who is forced to sail on the Great Eastern with her abusive husband.
The novel is set against the backdrop of the transatlantic steamship industry in the mid-19th century. The Great Eastern was one of the largest and most technologically advanced ships of its day and a marvel of engineering. Verne's novel captures the excitement and adventure of travel by steamship, as well as the dangers and challenges that could be faced along the way.
Excerpt from A Floating City Online Book
On the 18th of March, 1867, I arrived at Liverpool, intending to take a berth simply as an amateur traveller on board the “Great Eastern,” which in a few days was to sail for New York. I had sometimes thought of paying a visit to North America, and was now tempted to cross the Atlantic on board this gigantic boat. First of all the “Great Eastern,” then the country celebrated by Cooper.
This steam-ship is indeed a masterpiece of naval construction; more than a vessel, it is a floating city, part of the country, detached from English soil, which after having crossed the sea, unites itself to the American Continent.
About Jules Verne
Jules Verne, born on February 8, 1828, in Nantes, France, was a renowned French author known as one of the pioneers of science fiction. Verne's novels, characterized by their imaginative and visionary concepts, have profoundly impacted the genre and continue to captivate readers. His love for adventure and exploration shaped Verne's early life. Despite his father's wishes for him to become a lawyer, Verne pursued his passion for writing and literature. He studied law in Paris but spent much of his time indulging in his literary pursuits, attending theater performances, and immersing himself in storytelling.
In the early stages of his writing career, Verne primarily wrote comedies and librettos for operas. However, meeting with publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel would significantly influence his literary direction. Hetzel recognized Verne's talent and convinced him to focus on science fiction, encouraging him to incorporate scientific knowledge and exploration into his works. One of his most famous novels is Journey to the Center of the Earth, published in 1864. Find out more about Jules Verne on sevenov.com.