![]() ![]() I hope you have fun with this classic, as I did. If you’ve only ever seen the film version starring James Mason, you will be surprised at some of the differences. This makes for a pleasant “surprise” when Axel is proven wrong. Wordsworth Editions, 1996 - Fiction - 185 pages. We read the story from Axel’s point of view, who is reluctant about everything involved in this journey. It’s an adventure story written by a master. While the science is obviously not accurate, the book itself is fun. Readers are of course meant to side with the Professor and, indeed, he is proven correct later in the book (or there would be no book), but as a modern reader, knowing that the nephew is actually correct, the exchange is pretty hilarious. Both trot out a series of scientific facts and figures to prove their points. The professor is convinced that it is solid rock. The nephew believes that the center would be liquid rock and metal. ![]() There is a scene near the start of the book in which Professer Leidenbrock and Axel are arguing about what they may find in the center of the earth. Not to spoil a 150-year-old book, but the trio makes it to the center of the earth after several setbacks and strange occurrences, and return safely to ground level. The two prepare for the long and arduous journey to Iceland, for that is where the geologist began, and enlist the help of an Icelander named Hans to assist with the journey below ground. Professor Leidenbrock and his nephew Axel find a mysterious note suggesting an Icelandic geologist traveled to the center of the earth and lived to tell the tale. ![]()
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