I won't be able to start until late this week. I just got back from vacation, wonderful time, and need to finish the book I'm reading (Queen of the Damned) before Ken rents the movie. Oh yeah, and don't forget that the 6th Harry Potter movie comes out in mid-July, which of course necessitates rereading 1-6.
I purchased my used copy today for $1.50, which I believe makes it the cheapest book we've read so far. Here's to hoping that you can't judge a book by the pricetag on its cover.
I'm about 100 pages in and had forgotten how much I enjoy Jules Verne. I want to point out my favorite quote thus far, in "Pro and Con"- "I spoke, for want of power to hold my tongue." I so know THAT feeling! :-)
Finished yesterday. I liked Part 1 much better than part 2. Part 2 seemed to drag along. I wish Conseil had a bigger part, I liked him. And poor Ned Land must have been bored out of his mind. I can only imagine myself being trapped and how would you entertain yourself if you really don't care to view fish.... And I wish there had been more about Atlantis.
Overall, the book was okay. I think it was REALLY well researched for its time.
I'm going to watch the movie when I get home and see how it stacks up to the book. (Bought the movie at Walmart from the bargain bin.)
I'm about halfway through now, and must admit the book is growing on me. A little slow getting started, a little bit too much family/genus/species. I find myself skipping a lot of biology-based paragraphs, but not entire CHAPTERS like in Moby Dick.
It gets me thinking about how Space is the final frontier, and how mysterious and dangerous the oceans still are (couple this book with a few episodes of Deadliest Catch).
Given the opportunity, relative safety and comfort, which would you rather explore: Space, depths of the ocean, undiscovered rainforest, the ant/arctic, the Sahara, subterranean Earth?
In response to your comments about the species/genus paragraphs, my introduction encourages readers to skip over these as they tend to become tedious and distract from the story- so that's what I've done. Though you have to be careful, because sometimes Verne includes interesting information in these paragraphs.
I am almost finished and half to agree with Joy that the second half moves along much slower. I too miss Conseil. I also get quite annoyed with Ned Land. He seems like he has a one track mind.
I found another quote that struck me. In Chapter 3 of Part 2, Verne writes, "Nature's creative power is far beyond man's instinct of destruction." Do you think this quote is still true today?
As for your question, Angie, definitely space. Space has the bonus of possibly offering similar environments to the other options on other planets. Plus, I'd love to meet aliens. :-) Must be all the Stargate I've watched!
In response to Angie's question, I vote for oceans still. I think there is TONS to be explored and I wouldn't mind spending some time there. I think I would enjoy the quiet and looking at fishes in a well protected environment away from sharks. This is all supposing that I could take the requisite number of sewing items and books.
Space to me is a lot of, well, space and I just don't have the desire or enthusiasm for it.
I really liked the imagination and research put into this book. I like the idea of a secret passage to the Mediterranean (kind of like the game of Clue) and I like the concept of going UNDER the arctic circle rather than around. That part had me wincing.
For your quote Melissa, here are some thoughts. One first has to agree with the creative nature part. It too destroys and can destroy more than man at times (earthquake, tornado, drought, etc). And then does man have an instinct to destroy? And does it make sense to twist it around to say ... "Man's creative power is far beyond nature's instinct of destruction."
First, some amusing quotes: Chapter 21, a few days on land: "Friend Conseil, I'm very fond of you, but not enough to want to eat you, unless I have to." (Ned Land)
Chapter 10, coal mines under the sea: ".. intrepid animals, more herbivorous than carnivorous - and, like well-trained husbands, they obey the slightest whims of their females." (Arronax)
Chapter 17, from cape horn to the amazon: " 'Yes, my friend,' I replied, 'that was an electric ray that left you in such a deplorable condition!' 'Ah, Monsieur can believe me,' answered Conseil, 'I'll have my revenge on that creature.' 'How?' 'By eating it.' That is exactly what he did that very evening, purely for revenge, because, frankly, that animal was as tough as leather."
I found the second half of the book much more engaging than the first. More adventures, more tension, but unfortunately more wildlife. Getting stuck under the iceberg was chilling - I actaully found myself breathing faster as the days went on and their air supply diminished.
Ned Land (quite the subtle name) did get a little annoying, but I can understand his cabin fever. I'm not sure I would enjoy being forced to go along with someone else's will in such a confined space for months and potentially years on end. No chance of having a family, going to the theatre, interacting with more than 10 or so other people.. ever again? I think I'm more like Ned than any of the other characters.
That being said, Conseil was my favorite. How can you not love him? "Ah, If I could only stop breathing so that Monsieur might have more air."
Verne did a good job of escalating Captain Nemo's introversion and obsession. Much more believable little glimpses than the glimpses of Captain Ahab. It would have been nice to have a little more information about his driving passions, or those of his crew, or the language they all spoke.
I can see how this would make a good movie. A dark captain, a mysterious ship, many adventures and plenty of opportunity for comedic relief. This wasn't a book that I would normally have picked up but I did quite enjoy it. Good pick, Joy!
"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" - A review of the Hallmark movie made in 1996.
Eeeewwwwwwww! Talk about creative license!! I even ejected the DVD to be sure I was watching the right movie. There was no Conseil, instead Aronax's daughter Sophie is on board. WHAT! A WOMAN on BOARD! Ned Land spends most of the movie "in the brig". Sophie is somewhat in love with him and spends her time trying to free him. Let's just say this - the names were the same to protect the innocent story that was NOT adhered to AT ALL! I kept hoping at some point, the movie would veer towards the actual story but alas, for 95 minutes in living color, it barely touched the surface of the book. And they have the gaul to put Jules Verne's name on the movie cover.
Joy, I told Ken about your response to the movie after reading the book and now he's concerned. He's concerned because he really liked the movie and is afraid that now he won't like the book! :-) He is going to start reading "20,000 Leagues" when he finishes his current book. I'll post his response to the book when he finishes, but that will probably be a while from now.
18 comments:
Oops Melissa, I think I jumped the gun! It's YOUR TURN! Sorry.....
That's okay, you can go first. I'll be next. :-)
Well I've finished with Part I. I really enjoyed the beginning and got sucked up into the "giant squid" concept.
I like Conseil, the ultimate personal attendant, who actually dives into the ocean to attend to one's every need.
I'm getting a little tired of descriptions of fish and longitude and latitude, although I guess it's necessary to add to the realism of the story.
Onto Part II.
I'll get the book today! I was trying to read a Donald Westlake inbetween, but since I'm only on chapter 3 it'll just have to wait.
And, Finger Lickin Fifteen goes on sale June 23...... SO much reading to do!
I won't be able to start until late this week. I just got back from vacation, wonderful time, and need to finish the book I'm reading (Queen of the Damned) before Ken rents the movie. Oh yeah, and don't forget that the 6th Harry Potter movie comes out in mid-July, which of course necessitates rereading 1-6.
Well, I'm on "vacation" in Minnesota so that means lots and lots of reading time while Randy monopolizes the TV watching the Minnesota Twins (yawn).
Ugh.. MLB, the most boring sport on tv.
I purchased my used copy today for $1.50, which I believe makes it the cheapest book we've read so far. Here's to hoping that you can't judge a book by the pricetag on its cover.
I'm about 100 pages in and had forgotten how much I enjoy Jules Verne. I want to point out my favorite quote thus far, in "Pro and Con"- "I spoke, for want of power to hold my tongue." I so know THAT feeling! :-)
I read the first chapter today. It referenced Moby Dick twice, and the mere memory put me to sleep for about half an hour.
I'll do better this coming weekend - 3 days off in a row, and one of them PAID!
There is no escaping Moby Dick. References are EVERYWHERE.
Finished yesterday. I liked Part 1 much better than part 2. Part 2 seemed to drag along. I wish Conseil had a bigger part, I liked him. And poor Ned Land must have been bored out of his mind. I can only imagine myself being trapped and how would you entertain yourself if you really don't care to view fish.... And I wish there had been more about Atlantis.
Overall, the book was okay. I think it was REALLY well researched for its time.
I'm going to watch the movie when I get home and see how it stacks up to the book. (Bought the movie at Walmart from the bargain bin.)
I'm about halfway through now, and must admit the book is growing on me. A little slow getting started, a little bit too much family/genus/species. I find myself skipping a lot of biology-based paragraphs, but not entire CHAPTERS like in Moby Dick.
It gets me thinking about how Space is the final frontier, and how mysterious and dangerous the oceans still are (couple this book with a few episodes of Deadliest Catch).
Given the opportunity, relative safety and comfort, which would you rather explore: Space, depths of the ocean, undiscovered rainforest, the ant/arctic, the Sahara, subterranean Earth?
In response to your comments about the species/genus paragraphs, my introduction encourages readers to skip over these as they tend to become tedious and distract from the story- so that's what I've done. Though you have to be careful, because sometimes Verne includes interesting information in these paragraphs.
I am almost finished and half to agree with Joy that the second half moves along much slower. I too miss Conseil. I also get quite annoyed with Ned Land. He seems like he has a one track mind.
I found another quote that struck me. In Chapter 3 of Part 2, Verne writes, "Nature's creative power is far beyond man's instinct of destruction." Do you think this quote is still true today?
As for your question, Angie, definitely space. Space has the bonus of possibly offering similar environments to the other options on other planets. Plus, I'd love to meet aliens. :-) Must be all the Stargate I've watched!
In response to Angie's question, I vote for oceans still. I think there is TONS to be explored and I wouldn't mind spending some time there. I think I would enjoy the quiet and looking at fishes in a well protected environment away from sharks. This is all supposing that I could take the requisite number of sewing items and books.
Space to me is a lot of, well, space and I just don't have the desire or enthusiasm for it.
I really liked the imagination and research put into this book. I like the idea of a secret passage to the Mediterranean (kind of like the game of Clue) and I like the concept of going UNDER the arctic circle rather than around. That part had me wincing.
For your quote Melissa, here are some thoughts. One first has to agree with the creative nature part. It too destroys and can destroy more than man at times (earthquake, tornado, drought, etc). And then does man have an instinct to destroy? And does it make sense to twist it around to say ... "Man's creative power is far beyond nature's instinct of destruction."
First, some amusing quotes:
Chapter 21, a few days on land:
"Friend Conseil, I'm very fond of you, but not enough to want to eat you, unless I have to." (Ned Land)
Chapter 10, coal mines under the sea:
".. intrepid animals, more herbivorous than carnivorous - and, like well-trained husbands, they obey the slightest whims of their females." (Arronax)
Chapter 17, from cape horn to the amazon:
" 'Yes, my friend,' I replied, 'that was an electric ray that left you in such a deplorable condition!'
'Ah, Monsieur can believe me,' answered Conseil, 'I'll have my revenge on that creature.'
'How?'
'By eating it.'
That is exactly what he did that very evening, purely for revenge, because, frankly, that animal was as tough as leather."
I found the second half of the book much more engaging than the first. More adventures, more tension, but unfortunately more wildlife. Getting stuck under the iceberg was chilling - I actaully found myself breathing faster as the days went on and their air supply diminished.
Ned Land (quite the subtle name) did get a little annoying, but I can understand his cabin fever. I'm not sure I would enjoy being forced to go along with someone else's will in such a confined space for months and potentially years on end. No chance of having a family, going to the theatre, interacting with more than 10 or so other people.. ever again? I think I'm more like Ned than any of the other characters.
That being said, Conseil was my favorite. How can you not love him? "Ah, If I could only stop breathing so that Monsieur might have more air."
Verne did a good job of escalating Captain Nemo's introversion and obsession. Much more believable little glimpses than the glimpses of Captain Ahab. It would have been nice to have a little more information about his driving passions, or those of his crew, or the language they all spoke.
I can see how this would make a good movie. A dark captain, a mysterious ship, many adventures and plenty of opportunity for comedic relief. This wasn't a book that I would normally have picked up but I did quite enjoy it. Good pick, Joy!
"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" - A review of the Hallmark movie made in 1996.
Eeeewwwwwwww! Talk about creative license!! I even ejected the DVD to be sure I was watching the right movie. There was no Conseil, instead Aronax's daughter Sophie is on board. WHAT! A WOMAN on BOARD! Ned Land spends most of the movie "in the brig". Sophie is somewhat in love with him and spends her time trying to free him. Let's just say this - the names were the same to protect the innocent story that was NOT adhered to AT ALL! I kept hoping at some point, the movie would veer towards the actual story but alas, for 95 minutes in living color, it barely touched the surface of the book. And they have the gaul to put Jules Verne's name on the movie cover.
Eeeeewwwwww!
Joy, I told Ken about your response to the movie after reading the book and now he's concerned. He's concerned because he really liked the movie and is afraid that now he won't like the book! :-) He is going to start reading "20,000 Leagues" when he finishes his current book. I'll post his response to the book when he finishes, but that will probably be a while from now.
Tell Ken the book is SO much better (except for the genus/species stuff).
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