Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader III: Around the World in 80 Days (English-Chinese Contrast)

Author: Li Zhengshuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: A British man named Fokk lives in London. He is wealthy but has no wife or children, and few friends. He lives a very regular and punctual life. He is a member of the Reform Club and goes there every day to play cards. He has just hired a young French man named Passepartout as his servant. A theft of ￡55,000 occurred at the bank. Fokk's card friends are discussing where the thief could have gone. Some say the world has become smaller, and it can take only three months to travel around the world. Fokk says it can be done in 80 days. They make a bet with a stake of ￡20,000. Meanwhile, the police receive a description of the thief, which matches Fokk. Detectives are sent to various places to search for the suspect. Fokk and Passepartout set off on the night of October 2, and are expected to return to London on the night of December 21 after 80 days. Their route is London – France – Suez – Mumbai – Calcutta – Hong Kong – Yokohama – San Francisco – New York – London. When Fokk arrives in Suez, detective Fix notices that he matches the clues the police have, so he sends a telegraph to the London police to request an arrest warrant to arrest Fokk. Fokk and Passepartout are unaware and continue to Calcutta. During their journey through India, they rescue a young woman named Aouda, who was to be burned to death for widowhood, and take her to Hong Kong to seek refuge with relatives. Upon arriving in Hong Kong, they find that the relatives have already left. Fokk decides to take her back to Europe. Fix follows Fokk all the way, but without an arrest warrant, he cannot arrest him. When they reach Japan, Fix obtains an arrest warrant from the consulate, but since it is not within British territory, he cannot act. After overcoming various difficulties, they arrive in San Francisco and take the train to New York. Along the way, they have a fight with Native Americans. Both Fokk and Passepartout show great bravery. Aouda gradually develops feelings for Fokk. Upon arriving in New York, they miss the ship's departure time. Fokk hires a ship to catch up, burns all the coal, and even burns the ship's furniture, finally making it back to Britain in time. As soon as they land, Fix arrests Fokk. Fokk is imprisoned and cannot return to the club. However, soon after, it is learned that the real thief has been arrested, and Fokk is released, but it is too late. Fokk has spent all the money he carried on the journey and lost his savings, becoming bankrupt. But Aouda still loves Fokk, and the two prepare to get married. Fokk sends Passepartout to ask for a priest, only to find that due to the time difference, they have not been late. Fokk arrives at the club at the very last moment, wins the bet, and also wins love.