The Mysterious Island (Modern Library Classics)

I purchased a leather bound omnibus of four Verne tales in an Antique store in 1969 and was instantly hooked. I found a copy of the Mysterious Island later that year, a worn library book in my elementary school library, and surprised my teacher by doing a book report on it . . . she assumed it was over my head, but I surprised her. My mother purchased a copy for my next birthday, a Kingstone translation, a hardback version I still have.The Kingstone translation is all I have ever know, but I heard about the Jordan Stump translation and had to buy it.I am told that this version is more truthful to how the book reads in French, the language Verne wrote in. I will certainly say that the version holds up well, having not read my Kingstone versions in ten or fifteen years.It is a great tale that shows how a number of strong willed men, when led by a man knowledgeable in engineering and the sciences, can overcome severe adversity. The Mysterious Island is a not an easy read for most, written in the common language of the 19th century and containing many, many sections wherein the characters use their knowledge of period skills and science to survive on an uncharted island. For those of you who have not yet attempted the reading of Verne's novels, I would suggest starting with '20000 leagues' . . . if you like that try this one; it too has a great deal of geography and science involved in the story.

This is such an amazing book and far more superior than the movie would ever be. As I read this book it is filled with such memories and flash backs as a child on the lighthouse stations I lived for 10 years. Packed full of adventure with the characters being intuitive in order to make their survival more successful and comfortable. Thus were the days I had on the lighthouse stations on the west coast of British Columbia. Anyone who had adventure in their past this is the book to read. Of course as I read it I cannot go without a highlighter and a pen to jot down notes and to highlight interesting areas which of course are many. Anyone buying this book and taking the time to read it will not be disappointed. Another most exciting thing to do as fathers is to read this book aloud during family time in the front room or the rec room or buy the bed side. So get ready for some high adventure as you race through these magnificent pages of excitement and intrigue. Happy reading everyone.

This review is about the quality of the print, not the story itself (which I highly recommend). My one and only issue with this book is that the map of the island on one of the first pages of this copy is incredibly faded. The text indicating important landmarks is almost impossible to read. The outline of the island itself is indistinguishable from the ocean around it. But, if you are willing to take the time and write in, with a pen, all the landmarks and trace the island (like I did), everything else about this copy is fabulous.

Awesome history, it transports you to the Island and it catch the attention because of the interesting personalities of the characters, that until certain point could be a model to follow... but everything has a reason, it is amazing the number of double meanings and hidden masonic references and numerology. Regardless of that, it motivates to incur into the study of a variety of subjects, it is amazing how limited we are now days, knowledge is bureaucratic at the present time; but this book help us to realize that we are capable to achieve certain grade of mastery in a lot of areas.

Glad I found it.

I am a huge Jules Verne fan and this is one of those great "go to" books I keep in my library (and on my Kindle) for those times when I want to read something that I've read before and enjoyed. It's obviously a classic, but the great thing about it is it's "modern" at the same time (am I making sense???) This is a science fiction book that has a lot of truly timeless themes that make it current even now.Please please please read this book BEFORE you see any of the crappy Hollywood versions of this story. It is such a great tale and a true adventure and for some reason they just don't seem to get it right when turning it into a film.

Baseado na estória verdadeira de Alexander Selkirk, que sobreviveu sozinho, por quase 5 anos, numa ilha deserta na costa do Chile, The Mysterious Island é considerada, por muitos, a obra-prima de Julio Verne.O texto conta sobre 5 homens (Cyrus, Pencroft, Herbert, Neb e Gideon) e um cachorro (Top), que escapam de uma prisão durante a Guerra Civil, num balão, e vão parar numa ilha deserta e desconhecida dos mapas, lutando para sobreviver enquanto descobrem o segredo da ilha.Esses homens e seu cachorro conquistam a ilha e desafiam seus problemas e dilemas.Mas... será que estão preparados para as surpresas que a ilha preparou para eles?Verne é tão minucioso em seus detalhes, que o leitor pode vir a pensar que ele tenha passado muitas horas, em contemplação, sobre o que poderia ser feito, caso se encontrasse numa situação dessas.Porém, o instinto de sobrevivência desses homens é tamanho que, logo, estão fabricando cerâmicas, armas e abrigos.A maior beleza da estória é sua capacidade de nos tansportar aos anos 1800, e nos colocar pensando: "O que eu faria?"O trailer do filme de 2010, baseado no livro, tem monstros marinhos gigantes, e mulheres na ilha. Acho que os produtores deram um toque comercial que estragou toda a estória.

Very long compared to some of Verne's better-known works such as "Journey to the Center of the Earth", "Around the World in 80 Days", and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" - but this story compares favorably with all of them. It is actually the sequel to 20,000 Leagues.

A great adventure story with lots of interesting technical details and amusing attitudes that would seem very old fashioned nowadays

its the third book in Jules Verne's trilogy. I would recommend reading from the very first book: Captain Grant's Children, Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Seas and then this one: the Mysterious Island. From the start the connection between books is not really visible but at the end of the Mysterious Island you get the connection. Have fun :)

had this book in Czech originally. have been looking for it for a while. since I read and re-read it in Czech, wasn't sure if the English version would entertain me as much, ordered it more for other family members... alas, Jules Verne in any language is the master!

Modern Library; Reprint版 (2004/4/27)のレビュー。10.9 x 17.5 cmのマスマーケット版。原作の挿絵すべて収録。フランス語を小説をわざわざ英訳で読むなんて邪道だかもしれませんが、これはいいですよ。いきなり１９世紀の小説を読むのがキツイ方も、１９世紀の雰囲気を出した翻訳を読んでみるのはどうでしょうか。訳者の解説にありますが、この小説の主要登場人物はすべてアメリカ人（南北戦争当時の北軍側）で、会話はすべて英語でなされていたはずです。そのフランス語で書かれたアメリカ人の話をそれらしく英訳したそうです。結果として、やや古風ながら、とても読みやすくなっています。まあ、ヴェルヌの小説はたいてい、章ごとに要約が書いてあって要点がわかりやすいし、登場人物の性格も単純ですが。おもしろさは、人物の描写ではなく、無人島でのサバイバルの細部の描写でしょう。あっと驚く秘密も最後に用意されています。（もっとも、例の作品のファンには納得しがたいかも）それから、『グラント船長の子どもたち』の筋をそのままネタバレで書いてある章もあるんです。これは困るけど、話の都合上、読まないわけにはいかないでしょうね。