Summary of “Around the World in Eighty Days” by Jules Verne
“Around the World in Eighty Days” is an adventure novel written by Jules Verne and published in 1873. Set in the late 19th century, the story revolves around Phileas Fogg, an English gentleman with an unyielding routine and an obsession with punctuality. The novel takes readers on a whirlwind journey as Fogg sets out to prove that it is possible to circumnavigate the globe in just eighty days. Listen to this audiobook here for free
The story begins in London at the Reform Club, where Phileas Fogg engages in a conversation with his fellow club members. The topic of discussion revolves around a recent article in The Daily Telegraph, claiming that with the opening of new railway sections and steamship lines, it is now possible to travel around the world in eighty days. Fogg adamantly believes in the feasibility of this feat and bets £20,000, half his fortune, that he can complete the journey in the given time frame.
Without hesitation, Fogg embarks on his ambitious adventure, accompanied by his newly employed French valet, Jean Passepartout. Their journey starts with a train ride to Suez, where they encounter obstacles such as missing the steamer to Bombay. Undeterred, Fogg charters a small boat and they reach India. Along the way, they rescue a young Indian widow named Aouda from a ceremonial sacrifice and she joins them on their journey. Listen to this audiobook here for free
In India, Fogg becomes entangled in a dispute with the local authorities due to a misunderstanding involving a robbery at the Bank of England. Inspector Fix, a detective who believes Fogg is the culprit, begins pursuing the group across continents. Unaware of Fix’s intentions, Fogg continues his journey, traveling through the vast landscapes of India, crossing the Indian Ocean to Hong Kong, and then taking a steamer to Japan.
In Yokohama, they encounter delays due to a typhoon, but Fogg manages to find an available vessel, the Carnatic, to transport them to San Francisco. During the ocean voyage, Fogg rescues Passepartout from a dangerous situation in a Chinese port, cementing their friendship and loyalty.
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Upon reaching the American continent, Fogg and his companions cross the United States by train, facing challenges such as railway mishaps and Native American attacks. They arrive in New York, with only a few days left to complete their journey. In a desperate attempt to save time, Fogg and Passepartout board a steamer bound for Ireland, but they encounter a fire on board, causing further delays.
Eventually, they reach Liverpool and rush to London, still believing they have a chance to win the bet. However, they arrive at the Reform Club a few minutes after the deadline, believing they have failed. To their surprise, Fogg learns that due to the shift in time zones during their journey, they have actually gained a day. Fogg wins the bet, but he has used almost all of his fortune to achieve this feat. Listen to this audiobook here for free
In the end, Fogg confesses his love for Aouda, and the couple gets married. Inspector Fix, who has been trailing Fogg throughout the journey, reveals that the real culprit responsible for the bank robbery has been arrested, exonerating Fogg completely. Fogg’s rigid life is transformed, and he learns to embrace spontaneity and the unexpected.
“Around the World in Eighty Days” is a thrilling and captivating tale that showcases Verne’s vivid imagination and detailed descriptions of various cultures, landscapes, and transportation methods. The novel explores themes of adventure, determination, cultural diversity, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. It has remained a timeless classic, inspiring generations of readers to dream of their own grand adventures. Listen to this audiobook here for free
