Customer Reviews

Eight Hundred Leagues on the Amazon

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jules Verne is known as the father of science fiction, however this is one of the few novels that falls outside of that genre. Other non-science fiction works by Verne are sometimes lack-luster (specifically "Measuring the Meridian") , but that is not the case for "800 Leagues on the Amazon". While "800 Leagues" is a departure from Verne comfort zone he still delivers a novel that is full of intrigue and suspense.

The first 100 pages of "800 Leagues" reads very slow and is somewhat tedious, but the story does build suspense to and finishes strong. Verne is in his full glory has he paints the wildlife, fauna, and landscape of the Amazon region. Ulimately the story is one of family, honor, and loyalty despite the circumstances of life. Verne has always made "honor" a strong theme in his works and "800 Leagues" may be his finest exmple.

My final verdict - while this is not Verne's best work (my favorite will always be "The Mysterious Island") it is still in the top half of what I read of Verne. I would compare to "5 Weeks in a Balloon" with "800 Leagues" being slightly inferior. However, "800 Leagues" is still a must read for Verne fans.

Eight Hundred Leagues on the Amazon by Jules Verne. Published by MobileReference (mobi).

This is an excellent book with enough adventure to keep you reading all night long!

Now that I have read the other reviews, I don't know what to add, except to say this is a book typically missed by the more well known Verne books, which is sad, because even though its not science fiction, its a really, really great adventure with many twists and a very intriguing villain. Verne could really write, and he stands the test of time, if you are thinking adventure, forget this was written 100 years ago, its really worth your money, and you'll have read a book few people have, and you will be much better for it!

This is one of his less known works, but WELL worth reading! Its a darn good book, the Amazon descriptions are amazing, but there is a great mystery too boot!

Funny thing about great foreign writers, Verne was French, but most of us grew up thinking of him as American, (sadly I admit I did). It's easy to, watching the old movies on TV, or new movies, all in English with US actors. And of course all the wonderful books we grew up with were in English. I hope that is considered a compliment as to his power and success, as he was just as enormously popular in France, and is the founding father of science fiction with perhaps with H.G. Wells. Verne's stories, written for all ages, caught the enterprising spirit of the 19th century and its uncritical fascination about scientific progress and inventions. Perhaps some today are not so uncritical of science, but those who still have adventure in their soul, who long for the stars and the space program, will love all of Verne's works.

Enjoy!

I know that most of us have read or heard of Captain Nemo, and 80 Days, etc, but this is a different book of Vernes and one I really enjoyed. It has all the elements of a good yarn, travel in dangerous places, the Amazon river, trains, boats, villains, and great characters.

If you like Verne, and have not read this, you will love it!

I have read most of Verne's science fiction, and loved each of them - so I picked this up wondering if I'd like it.....WOW, what a great summer adventure read! The story takes you back to a time when not every place on the planet has been explored, so this trip on the Amazon is interesting in and of itself, but the added intrigue, deep dark secrets, thrilling side plots make this book so good, that any Verne lover will want to read it. I loved this new edition too.

Great book for the summer - or anytime!

I was excited to get my copy of this lesser-known Jules Verne book in my mailbox, only to discover that, to my disappointment, Amazon is selling this as a whole novel when in fact it's only PART 1 of a much longer book.

BEWARE AND DON'T BUY FOR $15 WHEN IT IS CLEARLY NOT WORTH THAT MUCH FOR ONE PART.