The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne
Author: Jules Verne | Published: 1874
The Mysterious Island Synopsis
The Mysterious Island is a novel by Jules Verne and published in 1874. It tells the gripping story of five American Civil War prisoners who escape from a Confederate prison by hijacking a hot air balloon. However, their adventure takes an unexpected turn when they get caught in a powerful storm that carries them far away from their intended destination.
The balloon crash lands on an uninhabited island, leaving the group stranded. The main characters include Cyrus Smith, the intelligent and resourceful leader; Gideon Spilett, a journalist; Neb, a former enslaved person; Herbert, a young boy; and Pencroff, a sailor.
As they adapt to their new environment, the castaways must confront various challenges and mysteries on the island. They discover that it is abundantly rich in natural resources and filled with strange phenomena, such as an enigmatic presence they refer to as the "Island's Benefactor," who seems to aid them in their survival.
Excerpt from The Mysterious Island Online Book
“Are we rising again?” “No. On the contrary.” “Are we descending?” “Worse than that, captain! we are falling!” “For Heaven’s sake heave out the ballast!” “There! the last sack is empty!” “Does the balloon rise?” “No!” “I hear a noise like the dashing of waves. The sea is below the car! It cannot be more than 500 feet from us!” “Overboard with every weight! ... everything!”
About Jules Verne
Jules Gabriel Verne (February 8, 1828 – March 24, 1905) was a French novelist, poet, and playwright. He is best known for his adventure novels, often set in the future, and feature technological innovations that were not yet available in Verne's time. Verne is considered one of the founders of the science fiction genre.
Verne was born in Nantes, France, on February 8, 1828. His father was a lawyer, and Verne was expected to follow in his footsteps. In 1852, Verne moved to Paris to work as a stockbroker. However, he continued to write in his spare time and eventually published his first novel, Five Weeks in a Balloon, in 1863. The novel was a success, launching Verne's career as a writer. Verne went on to write over 60 novels, including Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873). Find out more about Jules Verne on sevenov.com.