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- ASIN: B0018G76SE
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
FLOATING ISLAND by JULES VERNE
Although one of Jules Verne's lesser known novels, as part of his 'Extraordinary Voyages' collection, there is still much to enjoy about 'The Floating Island'*. Written in 1895 towards the end of his career, the book cannot match the excitement of the more celebrated trio of 'Around The World in 80 Days', 'Journey To The Centre Of The Earth' or '20,000 Leagues Under The Sea', despite there being many similarities with the last of his great works listed here.
The premise of the novel is excellent. A man-made island inhabited and funded exclusively by America's richest citizens tours the Pacific ocean and its archipelagos, taking the idea of the late 19th century and early 20th century cruise ships to the ultimate extreme. With typical flair, in the book's earlier chapters, Verne describes the mechanics and structure (including the impressive Milliard City) of the island so convincingly, that this absurd idea seems plausible to the reader. Always ahead of his time, there is something 'Truman Show'-esque about this artificial paradise, and the 'perfect' society that its accommodates. Similarly entertaining is the principal characters' (a Parisian string quartet) arrival on Floating Island, which takes the form of a kidnap / business deal by the impresario, Calistus Munbar. The passages detailing musicians' reactions to the spectacle of Floating Island and their 'imprisonment' upon it are full of creativity and amusement, and reveal the lighter side of Verne's writing.
However, where the novel disappoints is its tendency to morph into a Pacific Islands travelogue once the premise of the story is in place. Many if the chapters are dominated by descriptions of the flora, fauna, inhabitants and lifestyles of the regions where Floating Island docks. To a reader in the late 1800s, no doubt these would have held a fascinating appeal. However, in the modern age, when access to a wealth of written, photographic and film material is instantly available, such painstaking description does at times impede upon the flow of the story and the action.
Nevertheless, overlooking the occasionally awkward blending of fact and fiction, 'Floating Island' deserves to be revisited. Indeed, the story itself (which would be best abridged to novella length in the 21st century) is as creative and thought-provoking as those of the author's more celebrated works. If you haven't read any of Jules Verne's books, begin elsewhere with the three famous titles. If you enjoy them, then certainly do not dismiss the possibility of a voyage on 'Floating Island'.
* Confusingly, 'Floating Island' is also known as both 'Propeller Island' and 'The Pearl Of The Pacific'.
Although one of Jules Verne's lesser known novels, as part of his 'Extraordinary Voyages' collection, there is still much to enjoy about 'The Floating Island'*. Written in 1895 towards the end of his career, the book cannot match the excitement of the more celebrated trio of 'Around The World in 80 Days', 'Journey To The Centre Of The Earth' or '20,000 Leagues Under The Sea', despite there being many similarities with the last of his great works listed here.
The premise of the novel is excellent. A man-made island inhabited and funded exclusively by America's richest citizens tours the Pacific ocean and its archipelagos, taking the idea of the late 19th century and early 20th century cruise ships to the ultimate extreme. With typical flair, in the book's earlier chapters, Verne describes the mechanics and structure (including the impressive Milliard City) of the island so convincingly, that this absurd idea seems plausible to the reader. Always ahead of his time, there is something 'Truman Show'-esque about this artificial paradise, and the 'perfect' society that its accommodates. Similarly entertaining is the principal characters' (a Parisian string quartet) arrival on Floating Island, which takes the form of a kidnap / business deal by the impresario, Calistus Munbar. The passages detailing musicians' reactions to the spectacle of Floating Island and their 'imprisonment' upon it are full of creativity and amusement, and reveal the lighter side of Verne's writing.
However, where the novel disappoints is its tendency to morph into a Pacific Islands travelogue once the premise of the story is in place. Many if the chapters are dominated by descriptions of the flora, fauna, inhabitants and lifestyles of the regions where Floating Island docks. To a reader in the late 1800s, no doubt these would have held a fascinating appeal. However, in the modern age, when access to a wealth of written, photographic and film material is instantly available, such painstaking description does at times impede upon the flow of the story and the action.
Nevertheless, overlooking the occasionally awkward blending of fact and fiction, 'Floating Island' deserves to be revisited. Indeed, the story itself (which would be best abridged to novella length in the 21st century) is as creative and thought-provoking as those of the author's more celebrated works. If you haven't read any of Jules Verne's books, begin elsewhere with the three famous titles. If you enjoy them, then certainly do not dismiss the possibility of a voyage on 'Floating Island'.
* Confusingly, 'Floating Island' is also known as both 'Propeller Island' and 'The Pearl Of The Pacific'.
Format:Paperback
This is from 1895 and is an adventure novel with sci-fi elements.This is set in an unmentioned year probably in the early 20th century and follows a French string quartet as they become unwilling guests on Milliard Island,a four and a half mile by three,floating luxury man-made island.This creation is propelled by electric screws,with power generated by solid petroleum blocks(cleaner than coal).It is populated by super-rich Americans and it cruises the South Pacific Islands.We get a lit of interesting facts and figures about the 'Island',and it is quite an interesting idea(I would imagine it would work on a smaller scale).Attacks by pirates and a baffling selection of dangerous animals stand out as highlights.
The plot is quite uneven with big moments rushed,and most of the main events at the end.This book is mostly describing the cruise through the Pacific,listing the Islands,their histories and cultures,19th Century psuedoscience is well represented with Verne occasionally grading the natives in chilling style.
Maybe not the most scintillating read-but the reader is left in awe of Verne's vision and the huge spectacle he gives us.
The copy reviewed is a 1920 Sampson Low.This is Voyages Extraordinaires No.41.
The plot is quite uneven with big moments rushed,and most of the main events at the end.This book is mostly describing the cruise through the Pacific,listing the Islands,their histories and cultures,19th Century psuedoscience is well represented with Verne occasionally grading the natives in chilling style.
Maybe not the most scintillating read-but the reader is left in awe of Verne's vision and the huge spectacle he gives us.
The copy reviewed is a 1920 Sampson Low.This is Voyages Extraordinaires No.41.
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