Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Author: Qu Bo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is one of the famous novels by the French science fiction writer Jules Verne. Many members of Verne's mother's family were sailors, and his early teacher was the widow of a captain. From a young age, Verne was always eager to go on voyages of exploration. At the age of 11, to buy a string of shell necklaces for his cousin, he secretly boarded a mail ship bound for India. His father repeatedly intercepted him midway and gave him a beating. At home, he swore to his father with tears in his eyes that he would only travel in his imagination while lying in bed. It was such experiences that made Verne a voracious reader throughout his life, exploring the world through his imagination, and thus creating many famous science fiction novels, earning him the title of the "father of science fiction." The protagonist of the book is the natural scientist Aronnax, along with his companion Conseil, who accidentally boards the Nautilus submarine during a sea chase, thus beginning a legendary underwater adventure. The owner of the Nautilus, Captain Nemo, is a moody but highly knowledgeable individual. In less than 10 months, they travel together across the Pacific, Indian Ocean, Atlantic, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Antarctic Ocean, Arctic Ocean—covering a distance of about 20,000 leagues. During this time, they witness countless wonders of the deep sea, discover underwater coal mines and treasures of sunken ships, battle with sharks and octopuses, and repel attacks from indigenous peoples, among other adventures. This book is completely faithful to the original, annotated with Pinyin, and interspersed with carefully drawn illustrations, allowing young readers to approach and enjoy the classic in an intimate way. Let's begin this wonderful underwater journey together!