Customer Reviews

Michael Strogoff

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first read Michael Strogoff in the Classics Illustrated comics version. Then I read it textually in the N.C. Wyeth illustrated edition, and later picked up a paperback that came out in the mid 1950s. I remember taking out my atlas and tracing his route across the Russian Empire, I believe from St. Petersburg to the shores of Lake Baikal. Learned some things about Russian geography that I never forgot, in addition to enjoying the great adventure story.

I found out later that Jules Verne wrote in vivid detail about places he had never physically visited. Would like to get some opinions from native Russians or travelers who really know the places mentioned. But even if they do reveal all kinds of mistakes or misperceptions, the story is still a great one.

Would like to purchase a new copy of Michael Strogoff to replaced my old paperback. But now they tell us that Verne's works were usually abridged in English translation, to become "novels for boys" without the political commentary and other adult details. So I guess I will wait until I know that there is an unabridged English translation available, like for Mysterious Island and some others.

My paperback mysteriously disappeared ages ago-- I'm so glad to see the book is back in print, in several editions! Not only is MICHAEL STROGOFF one of Jules Verne's least-known books, it also spawned one of the least-known Jules Verne film adaptations! Seek out if you can, from 1937, SOLDIER AND THE LADY, starring Anton Walbrook (the hero), Akim Tamiroff (the villain!) and Ed Brophy (the comic-relief newspaper-reporter). It feels like a Disney "adventure" film decades before Disney started doing them!

Having recently found the boutique audio publisher Tantor, I have been a major consumer of their MP3 CDs and regular CDs. In addition to my favorite Edgar Rice Burroughs (yes I am over 50!)I purchased Michael Strogoff in MP3 CD format and could not stop listening. The story Jules Vern plays out for us is highly visual and while filled with the typical chance meetings found in the style of adventure writers of that day, it was first rate. The inclusion by Vern of the two newspaper reporters from England and France in several stages of the book was an interesting twist of comedy in a generally serious book.Those that have not had an opportunity to listen to audio books on CD or MP3CD would be delighted with this one to start.
Naration by John Bolen is as usual superior especially with male voices. His female voices sometimes can be too high pitched and shrill but once one has become a regular Tantor listener, it falls out of the conscious.

Highly recommended literature.

Okay, maybe not - yet. This beautiful story of adventure, danger, heroism, and hairbreadth escapes leads me to believe that visionary Jules Verne correctly predicted yet ANOTHER modern invention - the blockbuster action/adventure film. And yet it would be a shame to make a movie of this brilliant novel, however ideal it might be. I have loved every Jules Verne book I have read (with the exception of the wretched Paris in the 20th Century), and I believe this very well might be his best. I am thrilled to see it back in print. Read it and marvel at how far ahead of his time Verne was in every respect.

Michael Strogoff is a broad adventure that is completely out of context with the science fiction for which Verne is renowned. When I mention this book to people, nobody has ever heard of it. The story is compelling and the characters heroic. Only some of the trite cliches in character and plot (The perfection of the hero and heroine, the pat "Happily ever after..." ending) prevent this from 5 stars. The book provides a kind exposure to russian names and places and works well as a lead in to loftier, authentic russian literature particularly Tolstoy who captures similar broad vista adventures. Michael Strogoff has been required reading in my family for three generations.

Jules Verne wrote this book in 1876 and a 130 years later it is still being read and treasured. The reason why this adventure tale has such long legs is that Verne crafts his story around a great narrative devise. Michael Strogoff is charged by the Czar to a carry a secret dispatch to the capital of Siberia. Between Strogoff and the completion of his mission is an invading Tatar army. Strogoff must test his courage and his many formidable skills to pass through their lines. This is a classic adventure story that has stood the test of time. NC Wyeth's beautiful illustrations make this edition even better.

About the title - A "verst" is a unit of measure. If you read Michael Strogoff you will quickly become well versed in "versts" since Jules Verne uses the word on nearly every page of the novel!

Besides the minor annoyance with the use of the word "Verst", Michael Strogoff is a fine adventure novel/epic. While it should not be confused with Verne's typical works of science fiction it is an adventure epic.

Other reviewers have complained about Verne's character development, but Verne acknowledged throughout his career that he purposely skimped on character detail. If you want detailed characters read Henry James... the styles of the authors could not be any more different!

The writing style is a little sloppier than typical Verne (it appears to have been rushed and poorly edited) but it is passabe. However, Verne is rarely read for the simple appreciation of his wordmanship... and he will never be compared to his friend, Alexander Dumas.

Michael Strogoff is one Verne's better plots, while it is not the page turner of a "Mysterious Island" it is much better than some of his other lesser known works (Measuring the Meridian and "800 Leagues down the Amazon" come to mind).

Final verdict - it may take a little patience to get into "Michael Strogoff" but I have no hestitation in giving it a hearty recommendation.

"This is the story of the indomitable Michaal Strogoff, Courier to the Tsar, and his intrepid journey from Moscow to Irkutsk, 'a rebellious country, invaded by Tartars', in an attempt to warn the Grand Duke of the traitor Ivan Ogareff's intent to destroy him and Mother Russia."

Too much, you say? Too flowery? Well, the above statement describes this, one of my favorite works of fiction, quite concisely. It is the story of Strogoff, Nadia, the intrepid pair Blount and Jolivet and, most of all, the panorama of Siberia. Verne makes it easy to visualize the greatest obstacle in Michael's path, the wide wilderness that is Siberia.

This is a wonderful printing of (in my humble opinion) Jules Verne's best novel. The N.C. Wyeth illustrations add greatly to the visualization of the work, 'though I wish more illustrations had been available/included.

It upsets me that this novel is not more widely read.

Great adventure across the Siberian plains. Lots of twists and turns that keep the reader honest. Vivid desciptions of life during Czarist Russia and the great divide between East and West.

This book was one of the most thrilling books I have ever read. It wasn't science fiction but it was full of adventure and fun. What was great about the book was that the reader didn't have too much of an intense outlook on the heroes because there were two other characters- journalists, one French and the other English who helped you understand and enjoy the story more. READ THE BOOK!- one of my favourites!