Around the World in Eighty Days (1872)
About This Book
The unflappable Phileas Fogg bets his entire fortune that he can circle the globe in eighty days, using every mode of transport available in 1872, from steamships to elephants. His loyal valet Passepartout provides comic relief while a dogged detective pursues them, convinced Fogg is a bank robber. The pacing is relentless, and every delay and near miss keeps you turning pages.
Why It's a Classic
Verne originally serialized this novel in a newspaper, and readers followed Fogg's journey with the same breathless excitement as a modern audience binge-watching a series, with some even placing real bets on whether the fictional character would make it. The book is a masterclass in pacing, giving readers just enough breathing room between crises to appreciate the exotic locations before the next disaster strikes. Fogg himself is a fascinating character study: a man so rigidly precise and emotionally controlled that the question of the novel is not just whether he will make it around the world, but whether the journey will crack his shell and reveal a human being underneath. The famous twist ending, which hinges on a detail about time zones, still catches first-time readers off guard even though the concept is well known today.
Fun Fact
Real journalist Nellie Bly was so inspired by the novel that she set out to beat Fogg's fictional record in 1889 and completed the trip in 72 days. Verne himself met Bly when she stopped in Amiens, France, during her journey and wished her well, reportedly delighted that his fiction had inspired such a real adventure.
Parent Note
The book reflects 19th-century attitudes toward non-Western cultures, with some descriptions of India, Asia, and Indigenous peoples that feel dated and occasionally condescending. This makes it a natural opportunity to discuss how travel writing and cultural attitudes have changed.
Quick Facts
- Year
- 1872
- Type
- 📚 Book
- Category
- Adventure
- Age Group
- Tweens (Ages 11–13)