The Adventures of Captain Hatteras

De: Jules Verne, William Butcher

Narrado por: Patrick Barker

First Mate Shandon receives a mysterious letter asking him to construct a reinforced steamship in Liverpool. As he heads out for Melville Bay and the Arctic labyrinth, a crewman reveals himself to be John Hatteras, and his obsession, the North Pole. The captain is later abandoned by his crew and remains without resources at the coldest spot on earth. How can he find food and navigate the Polar Sea? And what will he find at the top of the world?

The Adventures of Captain Hatteras (1865), greatly admired by Ray Bradbury, is one of Verne’s most personal novels, with hypnotic descriptions of the icy wastes and gripping authenticity. The volcanic Pole, where the meridians and oceans meet, is a magical spot for a writer obsessed with physical space, allowing him to give unbridled rein to his creative imagination.

This is the first ever audio recording of one of Verne’s greatest masterpieces, translated by father of Verne Studies William Butcher and skillfully read by Patrick Barker, who vividly captures the characters’ social differences. A cutting-edge introduction and appendix are also included, containing the duel with the rival explorer and the final tragedy, cut by the original publisher.

©2021 Voices of Today (P)2021 Voices of Today

Mesmerizing

Fantastic narration of an epic adventure brought to life with such compelling life and heart.

One of Verne’s best (though not as well known)

Voices of Today is a welcome addition to the resources available to Verne aficionados. This is not the first Verne title they have done (and done right by): some time ago, they did a fine version of Frederick Paul Walter’s translation of Five Weeks in a Balloon. They are exceptional in giving full credit to the translator, and the audio includes extensive introductory material.
This was not a Verne title I was aware of when I was a young reader of Verne. Had it not been translated by William Butcher, and had I not already been a fan of his other work for Oxford World’s Classics, I’m not sure I would have picked this one up as an adult. Yet it has become one of my favorite Verne novels, and it is surely one of the most gripping and convincing tales of the Arctic ever written. At the risk of giving out spoilers, I’ll say also that it is ultimately one of the darkest and most tragic of his novels. (At the same time, it contains one of Verne’s most delightful characters, the multitalented man of science Dr Clawbonny.) Patrick Barker is particularly effective at the vigorous dialogue in the novel, with clear differentiation between the characters. If you’re in the market for a good Verne read, check this one out. But arm yourself with a good map of the northern reaches of Canada, and be aware that some of the place names have changed since the novel was written. Also, if you’re a Verne fan, be aware that the translator, William Butcher, has written a brilliant biography of Verne that includes extensive discussions of his working methods and the revisions his novels went through, not always by choice. It is available as an audiobook narrated by Simon Vance.

Verne at his best

I finished this in one day as it was fast-paced and full of action. I wish that a higher percentage of his works were available on Audible.

Returned after 2 chapters

The story seemed good but I couldn't get past the narrator's lilt at the end of every sentence. It was extremely distracting. I tried to ignore but couldn't get past it.