The Extraordinary Journeys: Around the World in Eighty Days (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

Jules Verne (Author), William Butcher (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 16, 1999 | Series: Oxford World's Classics

Around the World in Eighty Days has been a bestseller for over a century, but it has never before appeared in a critical edition. While most translations misread or even abridge the original, this stylish version is completely true to Verne's classic, moving as fast and as brilliantly as Phineas Fogg's own race against time. Around the World in Eighty Days offers a strong dose of post-romantic reality but not a shred of science fiction: its modernism lies instead in the experimental technique and Verne's unique twisting of space and time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`d charms, and reads very easily in this elegant new translation.' Max Davidson, Daily Telegraph

'elegant' Daily Telegraph

'by far the best translations/critical editions available' Science Fiction Studies

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192837788
• ISBN-13: 978-0192837783
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #303,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent translation, June 4, 1999

By 

R. D. Allison ([e-mail]) (Gainesville, Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Around the World in Eighty Days: The Extraordinary Journeys (The World's Classics) (Paperback)

This is Verne's classic story of the trip of Phileas Fogg (who is obsessed with time), Passeportout, Aouda, and Detective Fix around the world on a wager. The book is filled with beautiful time and space imagery throughout (I would bet that one could write an entire thesis on all the time and space references in the novel). Thirty-three years after its publication, the world first learns of the space/time continuum (although I'm certain Verne was not anticipating Einstein). Fogg bets his fellow club members that he can circumnavigate the globe in a mere eighty days. He leaves immediately with his valet Passeportout and is pursued by Detective Fix, who thinks he is a bank robber. Through many adventures, including the rescue of Aouda from immolation, they all return to London. Interestingly, a few years later, after a number of improvements had been made in railways and roads, a U.S. journalist named Nellie Bly (the pseudonym of Elizabeth Cochrane) decided to attempt to break Fogg's "record." Leaving New York on November 14, 1889, she was able to circumnavigate the globe in 72 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes, and 14 seconds. But, she didn't rescue a Hindu princess! It should be noted, however, that one has to be very careful concerning the translations of this novel. There are some terrible ones being sold. This translation by William Butcher appeared in 1995.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gavin, thanks for telling people how it ends., May 21, 2004

By 

Chad Deville (beautiful upstate NEW YORK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Extraordinary Journeys: Around the World in Eighty Days (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book. In my opinion, one of Verne's top 2 or 3. I absolutely loved 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Then, I read this book... Again, in my opion, Around The World In 80 Days is much, much better. This book has to recieve a 5 star rating. I've scarcly, if ever, read better. 20,000 Leagues was my first Verne book. This was my second. Now, I have read almost every Verne book I have been able to get my hands on. This book keeps you flipping pages late into the night. If you want to read a real classic filled with adventure, humor, and drama. Then I should definetly recommend this book, which, I am doing right now ...read Around The World In 80 Days by Jules Verne, and I promise you, you won't be able to put it down.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ce livre est parfait pour s'améliorer son français !, October 4, 2005

By 

Garrett Rock (Chambery, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Extraordinary Journeys: Around the World in Eighty Days (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

C'est le premier livre qui j'ai lu pour savourer et apprendre la langue française. Il a le vocabulaire simple pour que comprendre aux débutants. L'histoire est bien dit par Jules Vernes ET le livre fut à l'origine écrit en français ! Si vous aimez les classiques de littérature, lisez-le particulièrement en français, n'est-ce pas ?