Mysterious Island

Author: Jules Verne
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2000-12-02
Features: The story takes place during the American Civil War, where five Northerners are trapped among the Southern forces, with one of them being a child. They seize an opportunity to escape using a balloon. Along the way, they are blown off course by a storm and land on a deserted island in the Pacific. However, instead of despairing, they unite, help each other, and use their collective wisdom and hard labor to build a happy life from scratch—starting with nothing and eventually creating pottery, glass, windmills, and telegraphs. During the years they spend on the island, whenever they face danger, a mysterious figure always comes to their aid. This person is Captain Nemo, who had been living in a cave on the island even before they arrived. At the end, during a volcanic eruption, they all narrowly escape death until Robert, the son of Captain Grant, commands the "Duncan" to pass by and rescue them. Upon returning to the United States, these "islanders" resume the endeavors they had established on the island.