Around the World in Eighty Days

Author: Jules Verne


About the Book:

Around The World in Eighty Days was published in 1873. It is a very famous book. Along with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, it is Jules Verne’s most popular work.

Summary:

The story opens as Phileas Fogg, a non sociable, time-bound man who lives in London employs a new servant named Passepartout. But after that the day, which was supposed to be another time-bound day, becomes more exciting than usual!

Fogg makes a famous bet to travel around the world in eighty days, and at 7:35 p.m. they leave on a voyage which would make history! They travel through Europe to Suez, Egypt, where a British detective named Mr. Fix suspects them of a robbery and starts tailing them on their trip. Then they go through India, where they rescue an Indian princess named Aouda. They almost get arrested at Calcutta, and soon, Aouda falls in love with Fogg. Then in Hong Kong, Detective Fix drugs Passepartout so that they miss their steamer. But nothing will stop Fogg! He hires his own ship and sets sail for Shanghai.

So the story goes on with luck and hardships. Will Fogg win his bet?

Why I liked the book:
This story really gets you hooked, and it is interesting to hear about the different modes of transportation used in those times, such as ship, steam rails, elephants etc. Also, it’ll help you remember the International Date Line if you ever decide to travel around the world! (That was just a hint about the ending!)

My Favourite Character:

My favourite character is Passepartout. This is because he is lively and talkative, and also has very good judgement. He is very loyal and trusting. I also feel that he is pretty lucky, and also I like the ‘ring’ to his name (Passepartout).

If I could choose my own Ending:

If I could choose my own ending, nosy Detective Fix would be in a fix, and the reform club members would become poor and move away, leaving everything to Fogg. Also, Aouda would marry Phileas Fogg, and Fogg would become a much more sociable and nice man, ten times richer than before. Also, Passepartout would be ‘adopted’ as their brother, and all of them would live happily ever after.