Setting

Opening during the American Civil War in the 1860s, The Mysterious Island primarily takes place on an uncharted volcanic island, which the castaways, five former Union Army prisoners of war, name “Lincoln Island” in honor of President Abraham Lincoln. This remote landmass becomes the protagonists' home and the center of their extraordinary adventures.

Lincoln Island is described as being located roughly 2,500 kilometers east of New Zealand, in the southern Pacific Ocean. While isolated, the island proves to be a microcosm of diverse environments, featuring everything from dense forests and sandy beaches to towering cliffs and a central volcano. This varied landscape provides the castaways with both challenges and resources as they struggle to survive and build a new life.

Beyond Lincoln Island, the action briefly shifts to nearby Tabor Island, where the group rescues another castaway. The story also touches on the vast undersea realm explored by Captain Nemo in his submarine, the Nautilus, linking The Mysterious Island to Verne's earlier work, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. This connection expands the geographical scope of the novel, hinting at the mysteries lurking beneath the ocean's surface and tying the island's fate to Nemo's hidden base.

Characters

• Cyrus Smith: The brilliant engineer and natural leader of the castaways. Smith's knowledge and ingenuity are crucial to the group's survival on the island. He is resourceful, calm under pressure, and highly respected by his companions. Smith's scientific expertise allows the group to create tools, weapons, and even rudimentary technology from the island's resources.

• Pencroft: A skilled sailor and loyal friend to the other castaways. Pencroft is practical, hardworking, and often provides comic relief with his gruff but good-natured personality. His nautical knowledge complements Smith's engineering skills, and he takes charge of building the group's boat.

• Gideon Spilett: A journalist who becomes the group's chronicler on the island. Spilett is observant, articulate, and often serves as the voice of reason among the castaways. His analytical mind and writing skills help document their experiences and discoveries on Lincoln Island.

• Herbert Brown: An intelligent young man who becomes like a son to Pencroft. Herbert is eager to learn and often assists Cyrus Smith in his scientific endeavors. His knowledge of botany proves invaluable to the group's survival on the island.

• Neb: Cyrus Smith's loyal former slave and devoted friend. Neb is hardworking, reliable, and often takes charge of the group's domestic duties. His strength and dedication make him an essential member of the castaway community.

• Captain Nemo: The mysterious benefactor of the castaways, revealed to be living in secret on the island. Nemo, whose true identity is Prince Dakkar, provides aid to the group through various means. His tragic past and complex motivations add depth to the story's plot.

• Top: Cyrus Smith's faithful dog. Top provides companionship and assists in hunting on the island.

• Jup: An orangutan domesticated by the castaways. Jup becomes a helpful member of their community, assisting with various tasks.

• Ayrton: A castaway rescued from a nearby island, with a connection to Captain Nemo's past. Ayrton's redemption arc adds an element of moral complexity to the story.

• The Pirates: A group of antagonists who arrive on the island and threaten the castaways. Their presence creates conflict and danger for the main characters.

Quick facts

• The Mysterious Island is a crossover sequel to two of Jules Verne's earlier works, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and In Search of the Castaways.

• An early draft of the novel was titled “Shipwrecked Family: Marooned with Uncle Robinson,” showing the influence of Robinson Crusoe and The Swiss Family Robinson.

• The story takes place on a fictional island located in the South Pacific Ocean.

• The main characters name their island “Lincoln Island” in honor of Abraham Lincoln.

• The novel features the return of Captain Nemo from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, revealing his backstory as an Indian prince.

• The Mysterious Island was originally published in serialized form from 1874 to 1875 before being released as a complete novel.

• The first English translation, published in 1875, changed some character names and omitted anti-imperialist sentiments to avoid offending British readers.

• Verne may have been inspired by the true story of the Grafton shipwreck survivors, as detailed in François Édouard Raynal's memoir, Wrecked on a Reef.

• There are chronological inconsistencies between The Mysterious Island and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which are often noted in published editions.

• The novel has been adapted into numerous films—most notably, a 1961 movie directed by Cy Endfield, which features groundbreaking stop-motion visual effects by Ray Harryhausen—TV series. 

• The Mysterious Island inspired a themed area at Tokyo DisneySea.

About the Author

Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a pioneering French author best known for his novels of futuristic adventure. His most famous works include 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Around the World in 80 Days. Verne is considered one of the founders of science fiction, though he viewed his works more as “geographical fiction” aimed at educating readers about the world in an entertaining way. While often hailed as a technological “prophet," Verne attributed any accurate predictions in his novels to his thorough research.

Verne's partnership with publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel led to the creation of the Voyages Extraordinaires series, which eventually included over 50 novels. These stories combined scientific knowledge with imaginative adventure plots, often featuring futuristic technologies. Though initially dismissed by literary critics as genre fiction for children, Verne's works have since gained recognition for their literary merit and influence on avant-garde French writers.

Verne's influence extends far beyond literature. His novels inspired many scientists and explorers, including submarine designer Simon Lake and rocket pioneer Wernher von Braun. Verne is also credited with helping inspire the steampunk genre. As Ray Bradbury noted, “We are all, in one way or another, the children of Jules Verne.”