Mathias Sandorf by Jules Verne
Author: Jules Verne | Published: 1885
Mathias Sandorf Synopsis
Mathias Sandorf is an adventure novel by Jules Verne, published in 1885. The story starts with two men named Sarcany and Zirone, seemingly desperate for wealth and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it. Sarcany is considered elegant and well-mannered, contradicting the assumption that all scoundrels reveal their true nature through appearance. Zirone, on the other hand, is depicted as a bearded, brown-skinned man who tries to hide his untrustworthy nature but fails.
Sarcany and Zirone are surrounded by wealthy foreign merchants who outshine even the wealthiest locals in Trieste. Despite their desperate circumstances, Sarcany appears indifferent to Zirone's attempts at humor and instead focuses on their search for luck and fortune. They wander through the new town's streets, which lack elegance and taste but are filled with bustling shops. Eventually, Sarcany leads the way toward the church of Sant Antonio. Sarcany and Zirone are searching for a fortune and come across a pigeon with a message tied to its leg. Sarcany believes the message may hold a mystery that could lead to their fortune.
About Jules Verne
Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French author known as the "Father of Science Fiction." He was born on February 8, 1828, in Nantes, France. Verne was fascinated with travel and exploration from an early age, inspired by the stories of his seafaring father. However, his father wanted him to pursue a legal career, so Verne studied law in Paris. Despite his legal studies, Verne's passion for writing persisted, and he began to contribute articles and plays to various publications. In the 1850s, he met Pierre-Jules Hetzel, a publisher who recognized Verne's talent and encouraged him to write adventure stories for young readers. This partnership proved instrumental in shaping Verne's literary career.
Verne's novels were often based on scientific principles, and he was fascinated by the possibilities of new technologies. His work often anticipated technological developments that would not be realized until many years later. For example, his novel From the Earth to the Moon (1865) described the concept of a manned space flight, and his novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1869) featured a submarine that was remarkably similar to the real-life submarines that would be developed in the early 20th century. Find out more about Jules Verne at sevenov.com.