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Five Weeks in a Balloon

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Five Weeks in a Balloon

By: Jules Verne, Frederick Paul Walter - translator
Narrated by: Graham Scott
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About this listen

Five Weeks in a Balloon

By Jules Verne

Translated by Frederick Paul Walter

Edited by Arthur Evans

Narrated by Graham Scott

One of the great "first novels" in world literature is now available in a complete, accurate English translation. Prepared by two of America's leading Verne scholars, Frederick Paul Walter and Arthur B. Evans, this edition honors not only Verne's farseeing science but also his zest, style, and storytelling brilliance.

Initially published in 1863, Five Weeks in a Balloon was the first novel in what would become the author's Extraordinary Voyages series. It tells the tale of a 4,000-mile balloon trip over the mysterious continent of Africa, a trip that wouldn't actually take place until well into the next century. Fusing adventure, comedy, and science fiction, Five Weeks has all the key ingredients of classic Verne: sly humor and cheeky characters, an innovative scientific invention, a tangled plot that's full of suspense and surprise, and visions of an unknown realm.

Public Domain (P)2019 Voices of Today Classics Africa Witty Comedy

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Critic reviews

"Jules Verne's debut novel makes a wonderful audiobook. Delivered in tones of discovery and joy by Graham Scott, the story takes listeners on a lengthy balloon trip across what was once known as "darkest Africa." The work is whimsical, and Scott's gentle pace meshes well with its optimistic outlook. Happily, Scott moves more quickly through the tedious parts, such as the descriptions of balloon mechanics. Listeners should be mindful that the book, written in 1863, reflects colonialist attitudes." D.J.S. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2021]

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Verne is one of my favourite writers but I have to say this title hasn't aged as well as his other works. (Spoilers ahead) To name a few, episodes such as mistaking monkeys for Africans; hunting animals for fun and outmoded language all collide, ultimately taking away from the story.

Hasn't aged well

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