“Journey to the Centre of the Earth” by Jules Verne

Yes, I know, this book was originially written in French, but I don’t read in French. It so happens that when I was a kid and read Jules Verne’s other books in Russian, this particular book never came my way either. But now as I was sorting that huge pile of book I’d received as a gift from a friend (it filled a huge suitcase), the English translation of “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” attracted my attention, and I read it. The translation is done by Robert Baldick, and it’s quite good.

This book is one of those that, once you’ve started reading, you just can’t put down. There isn’t much psychology here, but the main characters feel nice: Professor Lidenbrock, who is supposed to be a ruthless tyrant to his nephew and the rest of the household, is, in fact, a funny, temperamental geek, obsessed with his science, but at the same time capable of tenderness and care. His nephew Axel – the narrator – is just a very nice fellow, and their Icelandic guide – Hans – an extremely efficient, untiring and taciturn man – is absolutely admirable.

The book won’t make the readers suffer any pains: even when its characters find themselves in an apparently hopeless situation, it’s quite clear that – by the law of the genre – everything will end well. And so it does – usually quite quickly.

Jules Verne’s ideas of what it’s like below the surface of the Earth are very fantastic (though I can’t prove that they are wrong). I don’t believe that people can ride a hurricane on a raft (however well made) and never get washed out to the sea. Our heroes even managed to save most of their belongings – how’s that for being fantastic? As for the way they travelled back to the surface, that is, perhaps, the most incredible part of the whole story – but I won’t disclose it, as I don’t wish to spoil anything. Incredible as it is, the book entertains.

It will be your friend if you need rest and relaxation.