The story, published in 1887, probably takes place in the near future of 1889, as the Eiffel tower is complete. From late April to early June, the world is puzzled by ethereal appearances of an unknown object, announced by a trumpet, and marked by a unique flag left at the top of conspicuous monuments.
In mid June at the Weldon Institute in Philadelphia, PA, a lively discussion begins among balloonists on how a modern experimental dirigible being constructed by the club should be steered by propellers and rudder. Into their midst drops Robur, arguing that their thinking is wrong, and their vision too limited, as heavier-than-air craft will become the dominant form of aerial transportation. Moreover, he states that he has conquered the air, but must escape before he is thrown out for his impudence.
As the meeting breaks up, the president and secretary begin walking the town to blow off steam, followed by the leader’s valet. As they wind up in Fairmont park, they are kidnapped and taken aboard the Albatross, a craft sustained and driven by numerous propellers.
Robur takes them on a world tour, to impress upon them the power, practicality and superior nature of his invention. Although the captives are impressed, they are just as incensed at being held virtual prisoners. They continue to look for a chance to either escape, or inform the world of their whereabouts, and finally succeed in the latter.
Meanwhile, they are witness to their captors moments of compassion, as well as his moral outrage at primitive inhuman behavior.
Some readers maybe disturbed by this last action, as well as the harpooning of a whale,
and the general treatment of the hysterics of the black valet.
After crossing the South Pole in late July, driven before an intense storm, they manage to drop anchor above Chatham Island, to effect necessary repairs to the fore and aft propellers. The shanghaied travelers have formulated a scheme to vacate the ship, and leave behind an explosive device to put an end to Robur before he reaches his home base of island “X”.
They succeed in sliding down the anchor rope, cutting the line, and witness the unsteerable Albatross disappearing into the heavens.
Spoiler finale
The Albatross is mostly destroyed by the explosion, though Robur succeeds in slowing the descent of the wreck into the ocean.
The trio manage to find passage home by various ships and trains, and arrive in late September. All that they will say to their anxious members and admirers is that the new dirigible must be completed.
On April 29th, the first flight begins, but as she ascends the rebuilt Albatross appears, and does a teasing aerial dance about the dirigible, which can only try to go higher, not faster. The envelope finally ruptures and falls to earth, but not before Robur again removes its reluctant passengers to his own ship.
Unexpectedly, Robur frees his captives, but admonishes the crowd that they are not ready for his invention or it’s possibilities. The ship flies off to the cheers of the crowd, and the humiliation of his former captives.
Although readers will find similarities with the Capt. Nemo novels, he is far more of a tragic tortured figure. Robur is a skilled engineer who will not suffer fools, but still has a sense of compassion and responsibility.
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2015
Top reviews from other countries
- Michael FieldReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2023
Clipper of the Clouds
- jane byrneReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2015
... looking for this book for 2 yrs so very happy to have found it amazon books could become
