20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (World Literature Library)

Author: Jules Verne (France)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-01-01
Features: This book is one of the representative works of the world-renowned French science fiction writer Jules Verne. The author takes readers aboard the Nautilus, traveling at an average speed of twelve kilometers per hour, and embarks on a near ten-month underwater journey. Along with Captain Nemo and his "guests," they explore the ever-changing and wondrous landscapes and creatures of the seabed. The voyage is filled with high points, including underwater hunting, visiting underwater forests, exploring the ruins of Atlantis, salvaging treasures from Spanish sunken ships, witnessing the funeral of the Coral Kingdom, fighting with giant spiders, sharks, and octopuses, and repelling attacks from indigenous peoples, and more.
In the second half of the 19th century, "exotic themes" were favored by many writers, painters, and readers. The Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea offered a fresh and novel approach to exotic settings, captivating audiences. This is why this "ocean novel" not only became a bestseller upon its publication but also continued to be cherished by generations of readers.
Written in 1870, it is the second part of Verne's famous science fiction trilogy, narrating the story of Professor Aronnax, a French biologist, on a journey deep into the ocean. The protagonist, Captain Nemo, is a character imbued with romance and mystery. He built his submarine based on his own designs to explore freedom beneath the waves. During the long underwater journey, the story alternates between dangerous and perilous environments and beautiful, poetic landscapes. Grand, sweeping scenes and detailed, meticulous descriptions are interwoven. It is utterly captivating and hard to put down.
The Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea tells the story of Professor Aronnax on a journey deep into the ocean. This event takes place in 1866, when a giant monster, believed to be a narwhal, was spotted at sea. He accepts an invitation to join the pursuit and, during the chase, accidentally falls into the water and swims to the back of the monster. In reality, the monster is not a narwhal but a marvelously constructed submarine, secretly built by Captain Nemo on a remote island in the ocean. The submarine is incredibly sturdy and powered by ocean energy. Captain Nemo invites Aronnax on an underwater journey. They set sail from the Pacific, passing through coral islands, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, and into the Atlantic, witnessing many rare sea creatures, plants, and strange underwater phenomena. They also experience numerous dangers, including shipwrecks, attacks by indigenous peoples, battles with sharks, being blocked by icebergs, and attacks by octopuses. Finally, when the submarine reaches the coast of Norway, Aronnax departs without hesitation, revealing the secrets of the underwater world to the world.
This work encapsulates all the characteristics of Verne's science fiction. The intricate and suspenseful storyline, the ever-changing fates of the characters, the rich and detailed scientific knowledge, and the vivid, realistic imagination are all blended into one. The author's ingenious and skillful storytelling plunges readers into perilous environments at times, while also transporting them to beautiful, poetic realms. Grand, sweeping scenes and detailed, meticulous descriptions alternate throughout. It is utterly captivating and hard to put down.