Review of 'Journey to the Center of the Earth'
Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
In Hamburg, Professor Otto Lidenbrock and his nephew Axel discover a cyphered note written in runic script written by 16th-century Icelandic alchemist, Arne Saknussemm. Deciphering the script they learn that Saknussemm found the entrance to a cave near Reykjavík that led him to the center of the earth. The two set out to Iceland to see if they can duplicate the journey, hiring eiderduck hunter Hans Bjelke as a guide. Hiking for days they reach extinct volcano Snæfellsjökull and find the entrance. Following the tunnel for months they are running low on water which they thought would be plentiful then are accidentally separated. Together again, Hans discovers water and they follow the stream eventually arriving at a massive underground cavern dominated by a huge ocean and lit by a sub-terranean Aurora. There are the living remnants of ancient animals and plants, including giant mushrooms and prehistoric fish, but will they find the center of the earth and how will they get back home?
This a fun tale of fantastic adventure from the 1900s told from the perspective of sceptic Axel and is all the better for it, as it provides a huge amount of humanity to the story. He is able to describe the emotion of the journey including his desperate hunger, his despair when lost and fascination at the world they eventually discover. It is also interesting to see that while the destination is important to the travellers they also know that it is more important to return to the home they left behind. Despite the time period there refreshingly little racial prejudice in the narrative with Hans and the Icelandic people treated with great respect and welcomed as an equal part of the expedition.
Verne is able to vividly draw fantastic images of the sights the travellers see and the adventures they experience but often it does feel that the story lags quite a lot though this does serve to show the enormity of the journey - The months and distances travelled, the diminishing of supplies, these are all elements of realism that make the climactic sequences all the more powerful. It is also nice to see that Verne is not afraid to provide an ending that many will find surprising. Unlike other books by Verne this one feels far more real with the concentration on the practicalities of the journey apparent at all times.
An easy to read, entertaining and interesting story from the 19th century that has paved the way for fantasy ever since.
Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”
Review Date: 2025-06-08
Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: 1864