Le tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours
📘 About This Book
Jules Verne (1828-1905) "En l'année 1872, la maison portant le numéro 7 de Saville-row, Burlington Gardens – maison dans laquelle Sheridan mourut en 1814 –, était habitée par Phileas Fogg, esq., l'un des membres les plus singuliers et les plus remarqués du Reform-Club de Londres, ...
📖 Summary
Published in 1873, Jules Verne's 'Around the World in Eighty Days' is a classic adventure novel that follows the unflappable English gentleman Phileas Fogg and his newly hired French valet, Jean Passepartout. The story begins at the Reform Club in London, where Fogg makes a daring £20,000 wager with his skeptical fellow members that he can circumnavigate the globe in just eighty days—an astonishing feat of speed made possible by the recent opening of the Suez Canal and new railway lines. What follows is a breathless race against time across four continents and multiple oceans. Unbeknownst to Fogg, his meticulous routine and sudden departure coincide with the daring robbery of the Bank of England. Fixated on the crime, a Scotland Yard detective named Inspector Fix becomes convinced that Fogg is the elusive thief, and he pursues the travelers relentlessly across the globe, hoping to arrest them once they return to British soil. Along their perilous journey, Fogg and Passepartout face numerous obstacles, missed connections, and mechanical failures. They travel by train, steamer, elephant, and even a wind-propelled sledge. In India, Fogg heroically rescues a young widow named Aouda from a sacrificial ritual, and she joins them on their expedition, eventually capturing Fogg's affections. Despite continuous setbacks and Fix's underhanded interference—which includes getting Passepartout captured and drugged—Fogg remains unfailingly calm, using his vast fortune and resourcefulness to overcome every barrier. When they finally return to London, Fogg believes he has lost the wager by a matter of minutes. However, a clever mathematical realization regarding the International Date Line reveals that by traveling eastward, they gained an entire day, meaning they arrived twenty-four hours ahead of schedule. Fogg wins the bet, secures his fortune, and, most importantly, finds love with Aouda. Beyond the thrilling escapades, the novel serves as a celebration of human ingenuity, Victorian engineering, and the transforming power of travel.
🎯 Key Lessons
💬 Notable Quotes
"Le temps n'est plus où l'on pouvait s'embarquer pour une partie du monde inconnue."
"Un homme qui est riche n'a pas besoin d'être original, l'originalité dépend souvent des moyens."
"Croyez-vous donc que le monde ait diminué, monsieur Fogg ? — Non, répondit-il. Au contraire, le monde est plus petit aujourd'hui, qu'il ne l'était il y a cent ans, quand on le parcourait en dix fois plus de temps."
"Tout est bien, tout va bien, tout va vite."
"Le vrai moyen de réussir, c'est de doubler son énergie de sa confiance."
"Qu'est-ce donc qu'un voyageur ? Ce sont des hommes qui ont de la constance dans le dessein et de la force contre les obstacles."
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
A brilliantly paced, fast-moving narrative filled with suspense and clever plot twists.
Engaging, well-contrasted main characters, particularly the rigid Fogg and the lively Passepartout.
Rich historical and geographical descriptions that transport the reader back to the Victorian era.
⚠️ Cons
Some 19th-century colonial perspectives and depictions of non-European cultures feel dated by modern standards.
Character development is occasionally secondary to the fast-paced logistical plot.
✍️ About the Author
Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French author widely regarded as a father of science fiction, known for visionary adventure novels including 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' and 'Around the World in Eighty Days'.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Is this book worth reading? +
Yes, it is a timeless masterpiece of adventure fiction that remains thoroughly entertaining and fast-paced.
How long does it take to read? +
Typically around 4 to 6 hours, depending on reading speed, as it is a relatively short and gripping novel.
What is the main message? +
The novel highlights the triumph of human resourcefulness, the value of keeping a cool head under pressure, and how journeying through the world enriches the human spirit.
