Reading
I started reading this about June 13, 2005. Finally finished on
July 21, 2005. It took a while as I was on vacation for two of the
last three weeks, and I was reading this on my computer. The battery
doesn't work any more, so I can't take it to bed with me any more.
Specs
Verne, Jules, Five Weeks in a Balloon,
Written 1863. This was Jules Verne's first novel. Translated by
William Lackland. This is the Gutenberg Project
version, and there is no printed book.
Overview
Dr. Samuel Ferguson goes on a balloon trip across Africa with two
companions, Dick Kennedy and Joe. It is begun with much fanfare from
Zanzibar, and continues to the Senegal river. The fact that is
started in Zanzibar and ended on the Senegal river is the only thing
in common with the movie.
They are all good friends, with Joe being a particularly loyal
servant of Dr. Ferguson. Dick Kennedy is a friend who is somewhat
skeptical of the adventure. He tries to
stop the trip by persuasion right up until
it starts, but once it starts he gives it his entire effort.
The balloon is a hydrogen gas balloon, which the Dr. heats or
cools to change the elevation. The weight of everything is carefully
measured to allow the balloon to be at equilibrium. Personally, I
don't think it would work, as hydrogen escapes quite easily, and air
mixing with the hydrogen would have a tendency to ignite when it was
heated.
In addition, the balloon had a second balloon inside it in the
event the outer balloon was damaged (as it was at one point).
It is interesting in its description of the detail of Africa, but
it is kind of slow at times.
Some highlights: They have trouble skirting the desert. At one
point on lake Tchad they have trouble because they are attacked by
birds, which kill the outer balloon. Joe jumps out to save the
others, but is picked up a few days later when the Dr. returns to
pick him up in an exciting scene. He is being chased on horseback,
when the balloon comes by. Joe grabs the ladder, and Kennedy dumps
ballast enough that the balloon shoots skyward, saving Joe.
At the Senegal river, the balloon gives out completely on the
wrong side of the river as they are being chased. But the Dr. makes
it into a quick hot air balloon, so they can make one final hop
across the river.
Comments
This is Jules Verne's first novel, which is significant. Also, it
should be kept in mind that Jules Verne wrote in French, so the
effort of the translator is not insignificant.
I think Jules views the English as being somewhat exciting, and
the French as being boring, which is probably the reason most of his
novels (if not all) are set in England or the United States, rather
than his native France.
|