Around the World in Eighty Days

by Jules Verne

Phileas Fogg is an English gentleman with a propensity for whist and punctuality. When the Bank of England is robbed of twenty thousand pounds, his friends discuss whether or not a robber could escape. Upon hearing that the world is small, Fogg concurs, explaining that one can travel around the world in eighty days. His companions agree in theory but argue that eighty days does not take into account bad weather, mechanical faults, timetable errors, etc and that it simply cannot be done. Fogg declares any and all delays are included in his reasoning and upon being told his friend would "like to see you do it." He responds, "It depends on you. Shall we go?". A wager is made, Fogg finishes his game of whist and proceeds to leave that night on an eighty day trip around the world.

With him, he takes only a few changes of clothes and money and his newly hired (as in literally that day because the other servant didn't heat his water properly) domicile, Jean Passepartout. At the same time, Detective Fix is sent abroad to look for the bank robber. When Passepartout and Fix cross paths, Fix is suspicious. Afterall how likely is it that an English gentleman leaves London in a bid to win a wager that he can travel around the world in eighty days? Much more likely he's the robber! And so, Fix follows along, hoping at each stop to obtain his arrest warrant and arrest the suspect. Only it doesn't go so well...

Passepartout and Fix are hilarious. Between one trying to stop Fogg, the other accidentally managing to stop him to them both trying to help, they provide much needed comic relief. Fogg for his part is unflappable. But although he is unmoved by panic or prone to the fits that plague Fix or Passepartout, he is not unfeeling. He may not care about delays but he is generous with his time and money. In one such venture he meets the lovely Aouda, an Indian woman he rescues from being burned alive. Aouda is grateful and ends up continuing to journey with Fogg for the rest of his journey. The romance between them is hinted at throughout, although remains unconfirmed until the end. The ending is amusing and had me laughing. Almost being late when they arrive a day early. All the more amusing because of the constant references to time. Overall I enjoyed this. It's not a perfect book but it's entertaining. 3 stars.