20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, with eBook Audiobook

" This is sort of a must-read. I remembering getting an abridged "illustrated classics" version of this one year from an aunt for Christmas and really liked it. Glad I finally got back to reading the big-kid version. Most of what now constitutes sci-fi has Jules Verne to think for laying the foundation. Plus there's a giant squid, which is every book should use eventually. "

" I wasn't expecting to like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (it had been sat on my 'to read shelf' for two years!)... but the story is gripping and flows at a fast pace. The main character 'Pierre Aronnax' talks a little too much about marine biology for my liking but i know that this is an important part of his character. I read the Collins Classic edition which had a lovely 'Words and Phrases' section at the end of the book. I find old English words that are no-longer in every-day use facinating so this was a joy to find. My favourite new phrase of the day is "Tag and Rag and Bobtail". "

" Saw the movie years ago, but never read the book. It was good. "

" I never read this as a kid and was very disappointed. "

" In Italian. "

" I'm glad I finally finished this book. "

" I loved the film as a boy (the one with James Mason), and the novel is similarly magical for me. "

" I couldn't go full-in on a four star rating for this book. I liked it. I couldn't put it down so-to-speak, but the ending left me wanting. It was anticlimactic and I found myself saying, "Really... that was it?" It's a fascinating read and I would love to know if some of the "facts" Mr. Verne wrote of in the novel were actually what scientists believed at the time of writing, or if they were merely embellishments for the sake of a good book. "

" Probably my favorite Jules Verne book. Captain Nemo is one of the more memorable characters in literature for his eccentricity and his self-imposed exile, not to mention his obsession about finding the sea monster. It was exciting and literary while also having a satisfying ending. Of all his books, I recommend this the most. "

" In my mind, I thought this book would be alot more interesting. I don't particularly know why I thought this...but, I found it a bit too boring. Maybe it was too much narration - not sure. Just "ehh" "

" This book was definitely not my favorite. I don't know what I was expecting exactly, but it wasn't the scientific piece of fiction I got. The plot is very up and down, with minor climaxes all the way through, while the rest of the novel is classifying fish. While that might be what some people enjoy, it's just not for me. I think I would have been better off starting with Journey to the Center of the Earth or Around the World in Eighty Days. I don't know. "

" It's a great book but there is so much detail. I often skip 1/2 -1 page of the descriptions and classifications of the sea creatures they encounter during their ocean exploration. "

" It's one of the most influential science fiction novels ever written. While the book itself spends an awful lot of time to document marine life that the crew of the Nautilus encounters, in doing so it served as the prototype for just about every hard science fiction novel. This free Kindle version uses the original if archaic names for sea life, making it a tougher read (cachalot for sperm whale, for example.) A great fusion of adventure and science. "

" This book was great!!! I cannot believe how amazing the works of Verne are. "

" Read as was first free one on my e reader. Some interesting set pieces and ideas but a lot of time was spent describing various plants and animals they came across. I spent a lot of time picking up historic words I had not come across before. May not be everyone's cup of tea. "

" I like all things Jules Verne. "

" Agree that Verne is the 'father of science fiction'. Good story. Amazing the technology that Verne considered when he wrote this. Downside for me was all the lists of sealife that was seen on the voyage. "

" (Translations DO matter with Verne. I like William Butcher's translations of his books.) 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea captivated my imagination. I found Nemo's tortured soul absolutely fascinating! "

" I generally enjoyed this book. "

" Horrible. The copy I read had a very bad translation done in grammar from the Vingt mille lieues sous les mers. I found the book very slow and uninteresting. Yes I realize it was written in French in 1870. It still may be a classic but I'd rather read HG Wells or even Virgil or Homer. "

" I have to say it wasn't the most exciting thing I've ever read.... "

" I read this a while ago but I remember being enthralled by it. The mysterious Captain Nemo of whom you never really find out a great deal. The story, although a little slow to start, is exciting and way ahead of its time. This is another masterpiece by Verne. "

" I read this for the first time when I was maybe eight or nine years old... at that time I had no real concept of the destructive nature of human industry. Captain Nemo wedged an uncomfortable splinter into the fleshy pink folds of my brain, and it has been festering ever since. Thanks, Verne. "

" My first ebook: an adventure full of fabulous underwater descriptions ... I don't know what were facts and what were from the bounteous realms of Verne's imagination, but all of it was wonderful. "

" Lots of pointless fish descriptions, but kind of interesting. Interesting idea anyways. "

" Quite the adventure, Nautilus and squid, entertained me greatly when I was a kid. "

" I really enjoyed this book. It is quite an adventure and made me think a lot about the potential of the ocean for basic needs that we have barely touched. Verne goes in to much detail about plants and fish and I skipped a lot of pages until I got to the action. Still well worth the read. "

" What a surprise, I actually liked this book. My students enjoyed the various chapters as well. Not a fan of the detailed listing of sea life. "

" Perhaps this book would be more interesting if I wasn't from the era where the submarine and Captain Nemo's fantastical technology are the norm. I really wanted to follow along with the Nautilus's journey on a world map, and maybe on a second reading I will. "

" Quite enjoyable, but such a rushed ending. "

" At points I was very excited about this book as a tease for reading the real thing. In the end it just fell flat and wrapped itself up with out the needed emotion. "

" Interesting, but not riveting enough "

" I read both the children's abridged version and the "real" version of this book, and strangely enough, both were good. :) Of course the full version is better (as always) but the abridged version wasn't half-bad. "

" Can't recommend it, the level of detail the sea and its creatures are described here is just too much! "

" I enjoyed this graphic novel treatment of the classic adventure. However, the illustrations could have been better. The giant beast that attacks the ship is clearly identified as a squid in the text, but in the illustrations it is shown as a cartoonish mutant octopus. "

" whaaaa??? endingnya kok begini? hiks! "

" A fantastic adventure to read aloud! We followed their journey on the map and learned about the Suez Canal. "

" Write a review...My 9 yr old wanted me to read this and I actually liked it:) "

" I remember reading this book more than 10 times when I was younger.. It was so fascinating that I basically couldn't get enough of this story. The characters are amazing, the desciption is awesome. I don't think there are times in this book that I ever got bored. "

" Classic read it "

" a classic that is as enjoyable as it is classic. "

" In my mind, I thought this book would be alot more interesting. I don't particularly know why I thought this...but, I found it a bit too boring. Maybe it was too much narration - not sure. Just "ehh" "

" Jules Verne was not writing for our times, so he is a bit longwinded and can make something interesting a bit boring... "

" Another book I may have wasted for all these years. As a young ne'er-do-well, I may have been a bit overwhelmed by the frequent digressions into scientific gobbledygook. I always loved "The Life Aquatic". Now I love it so much more. "

" Amazing! Obviously goes on my Read Again shelf! "

" Sci-fi books are by far my favorite books. I think i've read almost all of Jules Verne's books. You ALL should too!!!!!! "

" Lots of under-sea adventures in very, very easy French. Would recommend for those trying to improve their French. "

" More of my teenage reading. not sure when I read it - sometime in my early teens. "

" Jules Verne's classic submarine tale. I decided to read this book because I have been reading some modern steam-punk novels and wanted to get a feel for some of the roots of the genre. "

" I have to say it wasn't the most exciting thing I've ever read.... "

" Great for the imaginative thinkers!! Similar to the Hobbit in that each chapter is a short and exciting adventure on board the Nautilus! "

" About a professor who joins a mission to hunt down a sea monster. "

" I want to read this book becuase I have always loved the ocean. I think it would be a great book to read. "

" Easy to read but drags for too long on the descriptions of marine animals. Could have had more action and the characters were lacking in depth. The mysterious background of Captain Nemo could also have been explored more. This is a book to be slowly read and enjoyed. "

" I thought this was a very cool and scientific book. "

" I devoured this in one sitting, and at a young age too. This is a fabulous story, a work of art. "

" Great Jules Verne classic, this illustrated one was quite enjoyable also, the movie versions are also quite good... This is one of my favourite Verne stories... "

" I read this when I was a kid, and am currently reading it again with my 9-year-old son. The writing is pretty dense. Perhaps a better translation than the one I have would help. "

" Pretty much an Awesome Book. "

" timeless beginning, pretty low through the middles "

" This is an abridged version for children. I use them (there is a series of books - The Great Illustrated Classics) to read with the our children every evening. "

" Awesome!! I loved this book. "

" Absolutely one of my favorite books that I have ever read. A good solid story with great characters. "

" I thought it was a great classic and very well writin "

" The shortness of the Atlantis section surprised me. It probably took up a page of reading. The imagination of the author is tremendous! "

" Classic science fiction from 150 years ago. Verne's envisioning of the Nautilus super submarine and characterization of Captain Nemo are the coolest parts. I did get a bit tired of the detailed descriptions of marine animal and plant life. "

" I read this for the first time when I was maybe eight or nine years old... at that time I had no real concept of the destructive nature of human industry. Captain Nemo wedged an uncomfortable splinter into the fleshy pink folds of my brain, and it has been festering ever since. Thanks, Verne. "

" A real page turner... this Pisces really enjoyed it. "

" I never imagine an aventure like this, those monsters and the action this book has and the fiction is the most of what I like of this... "

" Not too many books that I started left unfinished, this is one of them. Its been handsomely collecting dust on the side table for five years (or more) with bookmark's ribbon poking out about one third of the book's thickness. Maybe one of this day I'll vacuum that dust.... "

" I'd never read this book at all, so I enjoyed it as much as Joshua and Rachel did. Now I finally understand who Captain Nemo is and what the Nautilus is! It's the perfect book for a 6-year-old who loves science/space/exploring underwater. "

" This book is so interesting that I could not stop reading it! "

" Classic science fiction from 150 years ago. Verne's envisioning of the Nautilus super submarine and characterization of Captain Nemo are the coolest parts. I did get a bit tired of the detailed descriptions of marine animal and plant life. "

" Bought this as a classic, good start then it never ends. It appears the author ran out of ideas halfway through... "

" For its age, a surprisingly lucid piece of sci-fi about an underwater voyage in a deep submersion vehicle - submarine, powered by the promising new technology - electricity. Good stuff even today. "

" ilooooveee this book. it was such a nice read "

" I know its a classic novel but for god's sake I've never been more exposed to Latin Classification of taxonomy than I ever care to be. I think it gets in the way of the flow of the story. "

" I thought it was confusing. But I sitll thought it was really good. "

" The ending seemed too rushed. There were so many questions left unanswered about the characters. Verne focused more on the science than the characters. He leaves Captain Nemo as an enigma. "

" I read this a while ago but I remember being enthralled by it. The mysterious Captain Nemo of whom you never really find out a great deal. The story, although a little slow to start, is exciting and way ahead of its time. This is another masterpiece by Verne. "

" I enjoyed reading this book, but for me there was just something about it that I can't quite describe. It was because of this unknown something that this book did not get 5 stars. "

" I read this book in the 4th grade and loved every word of it. I was ready to sign up with Captain Nemo's crew from page one, and wanted to be there on the Nautilus during every brush with danger, at every port, witness to every discovery. "

" Loved it. Better than I expected. "

" I have heard this is the stupidest book ever. i advise not to read it. A group of kids in my class last year had to read it and they wanted to hurry up with it because they were so miserable reading it!!! so yeah "

" I remember reading this book more than 10 times when I was younger.. It was so fascinating that I basically couldn't get enough of this story. The characters are amazing, the desciption is awesome. I don't think there are times in this book that I ever got bored. "

" Another wonderful story from the father of science fiction. This books opens your imagination to world of untapped possibilities. "

" alot of good stuff but its kinda slow. really good "

" Of the Jules Vernes books and stories I have read, this is my favorite. Imaginative an innovative. "

" I have read it in Italian when I was a kid. I would like to re-read it know! "

" about a third way done. His ideas on submarines are scary ahead of his time. "

" Always loved Jules Verne, but I think I'd forgotten how amazing Verne's ideas were for any time let alone the 19th century. A brilliant writer and visionary. "

" After reading this book is that my affaire with Verne began. Combines the right amount of climaxes, dialogues, conflicts between the constantly changing characters and a perfect ending. "

" I love old science fiction books, this is one of my favourites because it also has one of my favourite literary characters, Captain Nemo. "

" It is really an easy book to read, but there is really no point to it. It has really no climax or any kind of a plot. "

" Long, ben ben long, trop long. "

" I read the entire Book 1 which is something like 500-600 pages and I can honestly say that just about nothing happens. Got bored. "

" I read this in sixth grade and fell in love with it. To this day it is one of my all time favorite classics... "

" I thought it was a great classic and very well writin "

" it's like a shorter, faster-paced moby dick. a lot of fun, drop that retarded chelsea handler book and read this. "

" What's not to love? High adventure, steampunkiness before there was ever a word to describe it... "

" Imaginative story. Sadly, most of the subtleties of the history, politics, and marine life were lost on me, a lacking of my eduction and not the author's. Still, a pleasant imaginative imagery heavy story. "

" Glad to be finished with this tale--I really feel like I traveled 20,000 leagues too! I remember loving the Disney movie version of this story with Kirk Douglas and James Mason. "

" Too much taxonomy. "

" Da non perdere, un'avventura fantastica. "

" Like many classics...a little drawn out. I can appreciate the attention to detail and scientific knowledge demonstrated though. "

" Like many classics...a little drawn out. I can appreciate the attention to detail and scientific knowledge demonstrated though. "

" Like many classics...a little drawn out. I can appreciate the attention to detail and scientific knowledge demonstrated though. "

" A good start but then it lagged... had many dull moments. It is great science fiction for its time period but all the expectations fell short. "

" A good start but then it lagged... had many dull moments. It is great science fiction for its time period but all the expectations fell short. "

" A good start but then it lagged... had many dull moments. It is great science fiction for its time period but all the expectations fell short. "

" It was very long. It was absolutely worth it. "

" It was very long. It was absolutely worth it. "

" It was very long. It was absolutely worth it. "

" By "under" I'd always assumed it meant "straight down" and silently cursed it because I knew the oceans weren't that deep. Glad to have finally read it. "

" By "under" I'd always assumed it meant "straight down" and silently cursed it because I knew the oceans weren't that deep. Glad to have finally read it. "

" By "under" I'd always assumed it meant "straight down" and silently cursed it because I knew the oceans weren't that deep. Glad to have finally read it. "

" read for my theater group when we were creating a play....safe to say i quit the theater group afterwards...Jules Verne while a great author not my favorite at any means...This bookd gave me nausea with his descriptions of underwater life and other stuff...Read the Spanish versioN! "

" read for my theater group when we were creating a play....safe to say i quit the theater group afterwards...Jules Verne while a great author not my favorite at any means...This bookd gave me nausea with his descriptions of underwater life and other stuff...Read the Spanish versioN! "

" read for my theater group when we were creating a play....safe to say i quit the theater group afterwards...Jules Verne while a great author not my favorite at any means...This bookd gave me nausea with his descriptions of underwater life and other stuff...Read the Spanish versioN! "

" An interesting adventure.Great imaginary scenery and a good story. At some points its redundant and if you are not interested in sea adventures it could be a little bit over the top. Its decent but not a must read or a page turner."Around the world in 80 days" is ten times better. "

" An interesting adventure.Great imaginary scenery and a good story. At some points its redundant and if you are not interested in sea adventures it could be a little bit over the top. Its decent but not a must read or a page turner."Around the world in 80 days" is ten times better. "

" An interesting adventure.Great imaginary scenery and a good story. At some points its redundant and if you are not interested in sea adventures it could be a little bit over the top. Its decent but not a must read or a page turner."Around the world in 80 days" is ten times better. "

" Really long and boring and not that much going on. Just not my kind of book. "