Easily one of the most captivating books I have ever read.

If you’re ensorcelled by elephant howdah absconders, Sioux train ambuscades, ice yachting brumal plains, storm-jibs weathering tempestuous surges, and a lovelorn damsel betrothing an insouciant prevaricating hero from the palanquins of India to the spires in Liverpool, then this is the novelist for you.

To anyone who has only heard of Jules Verne by reputation and Steampunk references, by all means read this: it’s written so well that you can’t believe it was created so long ago. It’s clever, funny, dramatic, and almost cinematic. Its style doesn’t hamper or feel antique. It’s fresh and an adventure.

The PBS Masterpiece show coincided with my reading this classic. Both were exciting but the book edged ahead in excitement and details. Fun to read in ebooks and be able to define so many new words. Great story and education, too!

This is far more entertaining than expected