Around the World in Eighty Days
BY JULES VERNE
Penguin Random House, R215
A classic, plain and simple, still sparking the imagination more than 150 years since it was written. The tale did not inspire , despite the similarities, though it has inspired others – including duelling journalists Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland in 1889, and in 2017, Mark Beaumont cycled around the world in 78 days. It's the story of wealthy Londoner Phileas Fogg, who bets his companions he can travel across the world in just 80 days., incidentally, means passes everywhere, essentially a master or skeleton key. The two travel through exotic lands and dangerous places, using whatever transport is at hand –train, elephant, steamer, sail-powered sledge – always racing against the clock. Of course, much happens along the way, including the indefatigable Scotland Yard Detective Mr Fix, arrest, jumping bail, saving a young widow from sacrifice, buying an elephant, buying a steamship, bad weather, recalcitrant captains, Sioux warriors, herds of bison. But they make it back to London with moments to spare. Of course, today you can get around the world in less than 80 hours, but where's the fun in that?
