Follow along on this fantastic voyage as Professor Arronax, Ned, and Beth set out to capture a terrifying sea monster—before it captures them.
"The year 1866 was signalised by a remarkable incident, a mysterious and inexplicable phenomenon, which doubtless no one has yet forgotten…For some time past, vessels had been met by 'an enormous thing,' a long object, spindle-shaped, occasionally phosphorescent, and infinitely larger and more rapid in its movements than a whale."—from the book
When Professor Aronnax agrees to investigate a series of attacks by a mysterious sea monster, he begins an incredible underwater journey that leads him from Atlantis to the South Pole. Through unforeseen dangers, surprise encounters, and exotic settings, this epic adventure is a tour de force of imagination and narrative grandeur.
Jules Verne was remarkably successful in foretelling the wonders science held for the future. This, his most famous novel, earned him the title of "Father of Science Fiction."
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"This book was captivating and dramatic. The way Jules Verne portrays the characters such as the Canadian harmonists Ned Lamd. He is one of the most renounced harpooners in the western hemisphere, And Captian Nemo. Who is always on a adventure discovering new things. I felt like I contested with each character in my own way, and felt very motivated to read this book as much as I could. I would give this book 2 thumbs up! I would also have to add that this is probably the best classic novel I have read."
— Chris! (5 out of 5 stars)
“Jules Verne’s classic offers a perfect blend of suspense, adventure, and excitement that will entice even the most reluctant readers.”
— School Library Journal“Thrilling and romantic…Full of Verne's gentle humor.”
— Daily Mail (London)“Nemo in fact is one of the great characters of nineteenth-century literature. This novel isn’t just a travelogue…it’s the story of Nemo’s spiritual struggle.”
— William H. Stoddard“The novel is noted for its exotic situations, the technological innovations it describes, and the tense interplay of the three captives and Nemo.”
— Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature" I tried reading this to the boys but it's really pretty boring. We got about halfway through. They were actually very patient but still weren't enjoying it much. There's a lot of lists of animals and plants without much description. There are some action scenes but not much. On the whole quite disappointing. "
— Thirteenth, 2/20/2014" My least favourite Jules Verne novel to date. It's as much a lesson in natural history as it is an adventure story and the interminable detail pertaining to species and genus of every creature the travellers encounter distracts from the story as a whole. The adventure side of the book is enjoyable enough but there is far too much scientific and historical data. Didn't they have editors in the 19th century? "
— Roy, 2/19/2014" Read this book as a child. "
— Kim, 2/18/2014" Not one of my favorites of his by any means, and I now remember that I read this book long time ago (in Farsi; I actually found the book in one of my bookshelves. I bet it won't be as easy to read that translation again.) It is a great journey and if you are a fan of nautical stories and marine life, it would be more enjoyable. The main issue I had was that Mr. Verne puts Tom Clancy to shame with too many details and terms. I don't think I have ever read anything that gave me so many Longitude and Latitude coordinates (Except perhaps a map.) I'm sure the story was much more incredible at the time of original publication; but I don't believe it stands the test of time. Not one I would recommend, but if have never read it, it should be still on your list (at least watch the movie.) "Journey to the Center of the Earth" still remains my favorite. "
— A.R., 2/14/2014" Read this book when I was 10-12 years old and loved it! "
— Yulia, 2/12/2014" Classic book, the beginning of science fiction really. Better written than most of the sci-fi that would follow. Well worth the time in reading. "
— Bill, 2/11/2014" An amazing book. Its really the only book that is enjoyable! "
— Gabriel, 2/11/2014" Twenty Thousand leagues under the sea is a captivating and compelling book. It is a book that I think mixes fantasy with reality. The nautilus is ahead of its "Time", but is not unrealistic. I think that it also shows that the place where the crew feels secure is the sea. Everyone can relate to this because everyone has an ideal place they wish they could get away to. You also see a transformation throughout the book. The thoughts of the main character shift as he gets used to his surroundings. The more time people spend with things, the more their opinion is changed "
— Blake, 2/9/2014" Classic Reading! I thought Nemo was a clownfish,.....just kidding. Captain Nemo is one of the best antiheroes in literary history. "
— Jeremy, 2/3/2014" Much like Melville, very wordy and found it necessary to describe EVERY SINGLE THING seen in the ocean. But the adventure part of the novel was fun, and the chapter when they were trapped (I won't go into more detail) had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I can definitely understand why this novel has inspired generations of young boys (and girls) towards seafaring adventures. "
— Arianna, 2/1/2014" it so complicated and exciting book. "
— Onur, 1/30/2014" Well, let's see. I started reading this because I was writing a zine that required some nice 19th century writing about submarines. Check. Then, after getting to part 2, i put it down for about a year. I picked it back up and recently finished it. Aside from my own need to get language/jargon relating to submarines, the rest of the story was pretty boring. Toward the end, Verne, really stepped it up to get people to the end (giant squids, maelstroms, hurricanes--great stuff). But seriously, most of the story was people on a sub, people stop at a place and put on diving suits, people leave the sub and look at fish (described sometimes in detail other times with formal scientifically derived names that really gave me no clue what they were looking at) people get back on sub, sub moves on. Then of course there are the occasional islanders--"savages"--and the sinking of some ship out to get Nemo. I just got very bored with the repetition and, honestly, the lack of character building. I didn't care about any of the characters. But hey, I got through it, it was tedious, and I'm done with it. Read it only if you have to. PS. the narrative landscape is very white and very European. "
— Spicy, 1/28/2014" Long and somewhat boring. "
— Katie, 1/22/2014" ADORE this book and would re-read over and over again... "
— Sonia, 1/19/2014" The beginning was wonderfully imaginative, the middle was a taxonomic thesis, and the end was a total cop-out. "
— Nureyev25, 1/18/2014" I enjoyed this novel and was glad I finally had a chance to read it. Parts were better than I expected, although much of it got bogged down in descriptions of various fish and mollusks. "
— Miss, 1/17/2014" Good plot, but it was more technical than I could understand. Great for people who know about machines and such. "
— Hannah, 1/16/2014" Absolute classic that I read a number of times growing up, but probably haven't revisited in over a decade. I'd forgotten how much marine biology (or lists of marine biota) is in the text or how much of the science contained within has since been shown to be false. However, it is a proper adventure story and carry you along with the scientific wonder of the narrator. Amazing that a fantastic contemporary setting science fiction stills holds up today. "
— Daniel, 1/13/2014" I didn't read this book as a boy (I don't know why), but wish I had. Even better, wish I could have read it when it was published with an 1870s view of the world. It must have been quite remarkable at the time. It's still an impressive work, and well worth a read. "
— Frank, 1/11/2014" 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. "
— Alexandra, 1/10/2014" Another classic down :) This was fairly enjoyable, as stories sometimes are. Not my favorite, but definately a nice way to pass some time. "
— Clara, 1/4/2014" Great read with my 9 year old son. "
— Maggi, 12/29/2013" I love this book. has just the amount of mystery, adventure and action to make it the best book ever. "
— Mohamed, 12/29/2013" Even better than I thought it would be - incredible story. "
— Drew, 12/21/2013" Wonderful at age 8 or 9! "
— Alice, 12/20/2013" I read Verne as a kid because my Grandad told me he was cool. He was right. Also, Doc Brown loves him and that's high praise. "
— JM, 12/19/2013" Story was good, but to much sci and not enough fi for my liking "
— Marty, 12/19/2013" Another great classic from one of SF's greatest writers. Good stuff. "
— Kent, 12/12/2013" Read this one with the kiddos for the first time. Verne tells a great story, but he seriously needed an editor. The fish descriptions were a tad on the lengthy side. Still, the plot was fantastic and I love that Nemo's destiny was left unresolved. "
— Holly, 12/10/2013" This Book was one of the things that changed my childhood, Wow what a great Book I LOVE IT !! "
— Shady, 11/30/2013" 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. "
— Aaron, 11/30/2013" Journal of Professor Pierre Aronnax, Conseil and Ned Land as they are held aboard the Nautilus captained by Captain Nemo. They are shown many submarine wonders aboard Nemo's powerful ship before they escape and the Nautilus disappears into the Lofoten Maelstrom near Norway. "
— Brandur, 11/30/2013" Great book! Reading the sequel rit now! "
— Ezekiel, 11/28/2013" I would have giving this 4 stars because i really like the story and characters. it lost a star when it got into the species lists... they were unnecessary and only a marine biologist would understand them fully. "
— James, 11/26/2013" An excellent story of underwater adventures! I had seen a couple movies based of the book, but had to read the book. Glad I did, because the book was many times better than any film. "
— Zack, 11/24/2013" very descriptive "
— Jessica, 11/18/2013" About a professor who joins a mission to hunt down a sea monster. "
— Grant7&8s, 11/7/2013" Captin Nemo lives on!!!!!! Great read except yikes, getting stuck under water in the iceburg, and running out of air...... "
— Oldnetnerd, 10/10/2013" I love the underwater world Jules Verne created. I hope Captain Nemo is content with his underwater treasures. "
— Jezza, 10/10/2013" Incredible that the author had that kind of vision for what would come. "
— Brad, 9/5/2013" The killer sub at the beginning and the killer squid at the end were rad, but the rest was bone-dry and boring. "
— Mason, 8/24/2013" 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. "
— Doroty, 8/19/2013" I liked, there were some boring bits, but overall a fun adventure with some darkness... "
— Eric, 8/1/2013" about a third way done. His ideas on submarines are scary ahead of his time. Finished book, great plot until the end, when everything ties up instantly. "
— Tom, 6/13/2013" Want's with the French, they will eat ANYTHING! "
— Rachael, 6/5/2013" A real page turner... this Pisces really enjoyed it. "
— Kerry, 6/3/2013" jules is the father of taxonomical verbosity. haha "
— Xerxes, 5/19/2013" I loved this book. The writing is engaging, the story exceptional. I've heard many things of Jules Verne's writing, but this is the first I've read. I was impressed. More of his books will go on my list. "
— Kami, 4/9/2013" It's the adventure of a lifetime but I can't seem to finish reading it..? "
— Justine:), 12/24/2012" Parts were exciting and the characters were interesting. But most of it was a list of species. "
— Whitney, 12/5/2012" The beginning was wonderfully imaginative, the middle was a taxonomic thesis, and the end was a total cop-out. "
— Nureyev25, 11/5/2012" A good classical masterpiece! It's a "must read" if you like scifi. It is funny when you start finding references to the characters of the book on other movies/tv series, and then you realize how this book has influenced our modern way of life. "
— Guillermo, 10/14/2012" I love this book. has just the amount of mystery, adventure and action to make it the best book ever. "
— Mohamed, 9/14/2012" I remember reading this as a kid (but it was clearly a shortened children's version) and i liked it. HOWEVER, THE ORIGINAL (UNABRIDGED) VERSION IS THE MOST BORING BOOK I HAVE READ IN MY LIFE!!! I felt like i was reading a textbook about aquatic life forms! "
— Elena, 8/28/2012" It's the adventure of a lifetime but I can't seem to finish reading it..? "
— Justine:), 6/9/2012" My favourite novel of all time. I have read it multiple times and it never fails to capture the imagination. "
— Aeshan, 5/23/2012" This book is mostly boring. It lacks the charm that made "Around the World in Eighty Days" so enjoyable. "
— Katie, 1/24/2012" This was definitely a great read/listen. I greatly enjoyed the journey of the Nautilus and feel that anyone can enjoy this book, whether they're marine biology savvy or not. "
— cristina, 12/31/2011" This book grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go until the last page! Jules verne is by far one of the greatest authors ever! The plot is filled with twists and turns guranteed to keep your imagination going! Overall great book from start to finish. A perfect book for a rainy day! "
— Darkfiction5, 9/20/2011" Saw the movie years ago, but never read the book. It was good. "
— Eileen, 6/27/2011" This started off a classic kick I had for a while, great read! "
— Thomas, 6/11/2011" Not bad for its time. "
— Darth, 6/2/2011" Da non perdere, un'avventura fantastica. "
— Pompeo, 5/22/2011" Da non perdere, un'avventura fantastica. "
— Pompeo, 5/22/2011" Like many classics...a little drawn out. I can appreciate the attention to detail and scientific knowledge demonstrated though. "
— Sam, 5/16/2011" Like many classics...a little drawn out. I can appreciate the attention to detail and scientific knowledge demonstrated though. "
— Sam, 5/16/2011" Like many classics...a little drawn out. I can appreciate the attention to detail and scientific knowledge demonstrated though. "
— Sam, 5/16/2011" 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. "
— Lildizzy36, 5/12/2011" 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. "
— Lildizzy36, 5/12/2011" 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. "
— Lildizzy36, 5/12/2011" It was very long. It was absolutely worth it. "
— Matthew, 5/11/2011" It was very long. It was absolutely worth it. "
— Matthew, 5/11/2011" It was very long. It was absolutely worth it. "
— Matthew, 5/11/2011" 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. "
— Josh, 5/10/2011" 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. "
— Josh, 5/10/2011" 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. "
— Josh, 5/10/2011" read for my theater group when we were creating a play....safe to say i quit the theater group afterwards...<br/>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...<br/>Read the Spanish versioN! "
— Eva, 5/8/2011" read for my theater group when we were creating a play....safe to say i quit the theater group afterwards...<br/>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...<br/>Read the Spanish versioN! "
— Eva, 5/8/2011" read for my theater group when we were creating a play....safe to say i quit the theater group afterwards...<br/>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...<br/>Read the Spanish versioN! "
— Eva, 5/8/2011" 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.<br/>"Around the world in 80 days" is ten times better. "
— Janosch, 5/5/2011" 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.<br/>"Around the world in 80 days" is ten times better. "
— Janosch, 5/5/2011" 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.<br/>"Around the world in 80 days" is ten times better. "
— Janosch, 5/5/2011" Really long and boring and not that much going on. Just not my kind of book. "
— Belinda, 4/30/2011Jules Verne (1828–1905) is considered by many the father of science fiction. Born in Nantes, France, he studied law but turned to writing opera libretti until the 1863 publication of Five Weeks in a Balloon, the first of his Extraordinary Voyages series. Its success encouraged him to produce a number of classic and prophetic science fiction novels, including Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea. His stories foresaw many scientific and technological developments, including the submarine, television, and space travel.
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.