From the lowest depths of the oceans to the mysterious surface of the moon, from the fantastical world beneath the surface of the Earth to a whirlwind balloon ride around the globe itself, author Jules Verne took readers on fantastical flights of literary adventure and helped establish the groundwork for the Science Fiction Genre itself.
Verne was born on February 8, 1828, in France and died in 1905. Verne enjoyed a significant writing career that is still remembered and read to this day. After a brief and unsuccessful foray into the legal field in France, Verne began writing in earnest, modeling his works on the legendary French author Victor Hugo. In 1849, Verne was in contact with another French literary legend, Alexandre Dumas of The Man in the Iron Mask and The Three Musketeers fame. Verne and the son of Dumas, Alexandre Dumas fils, became close friends. and helped to produce multiple theatre productions in Paris in 1850.
Verne also worked with noted explorer Jacques Arago in endeavoring works in the new genre of travel writing. It was these experiences and Verne's steadfast anti-war views that helped shape his later works. Of particular note are his novels From the Earth to the Moon, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Around the World in 80 Days, and perhaps his most well-known novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
Verne’s influence is immense in the science fiction community, and his novels, along with those of H.G. Wells, helped to define and shape the burgeoning genre. Here are this blogger’s picks for exploring the many worlds of Jules Verne.
A French scientist and his aides are held prisoner about the massive, electrically-powered sea vessel Nautilus commanded by the mad Captain Nemo. A page-turning science fiction epic from start to finish.
In this 1954 Walt Disney-produced adaptation of the Verne sci-fi epic, the high seas come alive with action and excitement. The film also features a highly memorable performance by the energetic Kirk Douglas and strong supporting efforts from James Mason and Peter Lorre. This DVD contains many interesting extra features, including interviews with noted director Richard Fleischer.
Professor Von Hardwigg, his nephew Axel, and their guide Hans travel deep beneath the surface world and encounter strange beings and fantastic sights. A must-read for science fiction aficionados.
Actor Brendan Frasier leads the underground expedition where the scientist and his aides encounter strange creatures and sights that boggle the imagination.
This biography goes into detail about the author’s life and examines how his fantastic imagination helped found the Science Fiction Genre.