Why I choose the book
The title of the book captured my interest and having read the book, I found it to be very interesting. The book was written in 1938 by Jules Verne, the same author of 20,000 leagues under the Sea. It is thus a science fiction and adventure.
Summary
The story involves a German professor, Otto Lidenbrock, who bought back an ancient Icelandic manuscript. He and his nephew, Axel, found a parchment in the book with a cryptogram written in the ancient Icelandic language called “Runic”. The cryptogram turned out to be written by a great Icelandic scientist called Arne Saknussemm who lived 300 years prior to Otto and Axel. The message claimed that there were volcanic tubes going toward the centre of the Earth. This sparked excitement in the two of them. They promptly arranged their journey to the centre of the earth following the clues found in the cryptogram. They employed a guide called Hans Byelke from Reykjavik, a town in Iceland, along the way. They entered a dormant volcano called Snæfellsjökull (referred to in the book as Sneffel). The three men encountered many adventures, including prehistoric animals, plants and natural hazards, eventually coming to the surface again in southern Italy through an active volcano in Stromboli. The living organisms they found on the way down reflected different geological periods; the deeper into the earth the characters went, the older the rock layers became, the fossils of animals became increasing ancient. Eventually they encountered live prehistoric creatures and lake deep inside the earth.
Main Characters
Professor Lidenbrock
Professor Lidenbrock is a rich but rather eccentric professor of geology. He has a daughter called Grauben who also loves rocks and lives with him, together with a cook named Martha. He is a very impatient man and is always very determined to get whatever he wants done. However, despite his seemingly cold personality, he is actually very caring. This was shown by his care for his nephew, Axel, during the expedition to the centre of the Earth. He is also able to think and react quickly to situations and is very knowledgeable.
Axel Lidenbrock
Axel lives with Professor Lidenbrock. He has the same interest as his uncle. He is secretly in love with his seventeen-year old female cousin called Grauben, whom he married after the expedition. He was rather reluctant to follow Professor Lidenbrock to go on the seemingly impossible journey initially, hence he hid the answer to Arne Saknussemm’s cryptogram from his uncle, until his uncle threatened to neither eat nor sleep unless the message to the code in the runic script was decoded. Axel was very cautious in whatever he did. He also tend to easily let his emotions took control of him.
Hans Byelke
Hans is the mysterious man in this story. He was hired by Axel and Professor Lidenbrock for their trip to the centre of the earth, which Hans did not know at first. Hans hardly showed any emotions throughout the whole journey. It was only when he received his pay for the last week of the journey that he finally smiled. He proved to be very loyal to his employers (the professor and Axel), saving them countless number of times from dangers. He was also very humble and obedient guide, one who took his duties very seriously and at times went beyond the call of duty to save the dire situations they found themselves in.
My Opinion on the book
This book is one of adventure and Science Fiction. The story is also very exciting. Jules Verne’s style of writing captured my interest. From the introduction until the end of the book, the story caught my interests and aroused my curiosity in the situations the men found themselves in. Though whether or not Arne Saknussemm travelled deeper down to the Centre of the Earth or followed the way which Hans, Professor Lidenbrock and Axel travelled is still a mystery to me. Also, although with the knowledge we have of the earth today, the possibility of a world where prehistoric creatures and men can live deep in the centre of the earth seems a bit far fetch. However, I still like the book very much. Jules Verne wrote a very exciting and creative adventure story with this book back in 1938 when it was first published.
My Recommendation
I would strongly recommend this book to be read by all my friends and classmates. It is an excellent book to read, especially those who like adventure and science fictions. The book also contained geological and geographical information which are still useful and relevant today.
