20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

By: Jules Verne

Narrated by: David Linski

During the year 1866, ships of several nations spot a mysterious sea monster, which some suggest to be a giant narwhal. The United States government assembles an expedition in New York City to find and destroy the monster. Professor Pierre Aronnax, a French marine biologist and narrator of the story, who happens to be in New York at the time, receives a last-minute invitation to join the expedition which he accepts. Canadian whaler and master harpoonist Ned Land and Aronnax's faithful servant Conseil are also brought aboard.

Public Domain (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

AMAZING! A masterpiece

I really felt I was right there in the eyes of Professor Aronnax. This is may be one of the best written novels I've experienced. I was blown away with the rich details of the story and under water landmarks and creatures. Often, it felt like a true story. I was always eager to get back to the book after a break. This 1870 novel was/is easily far beyond its time and will continue to hold its literary value for atleast another 150 years. There could not have been a better choice than David Linski for narration. I could feel his excitement and emotion - like as if he were really there! His story pacing and pronunciations were perfect. When he voiced other characters I easily forgot they were from the same source. (I forgive you for having a British accent vs French!) I have already added more David Linski narrated books into my library.

Good book

This was a good listen. David Linski does a great job in narrating this book. He was able to keep my interests even through the slower parts. This book would have been amazing back in the early 1900's. However since going underwater is not a new phenomenon this book does become slow at parts. That being said it still was a good listen. I recommend this book.

A great classic

Fantastic classic book I read to contextualise “all the light we cannot see”. It’s charming, sad, and enlightening. I was interested in the heart-felt compassion for preserving sea life considering when it was written. And a great narrator to boot.

Marine Beauty and the Beast

This story is basically “Beauty and the Beast”, if Belle was a Marine Biologist and if the Beast were an illusive sea dog. It even has the mysterious magic and hidden people that cook the food and do all the things for you! People should use this book as an example of Stockholm syndrome. Dang it. I wanted to be captured on Captain Nemo’s submarine, and I don’t even like submarines!

I really was pleasantly surprised by this read. I understand how it is science fiction, but, probably because of my ignorance in both marine biology and engineering, it read almost like fantasy. I imagine that marine biologists would revel in Verne’s descriptions of all manner of sea creatures while the engineers would continually be cringing over his imagination of futuristic technology.

Verne wrote this story in 1870, and the first submarine was built in 1620. Although submarines were built and tested throughout several wars, none of them reached the success, opulence, or imagination of Jules Verne. He takes great pains to explain how his submarine can be physically possible, but most of it went over my head. At times, it feels like Nemo just smacks a piece of machinery with a “… but this is MY electricity!” As if that explains everything. Having gone scuba diving a couple of times, I can attest that he isn’t too far off the mark in how it’s done, but doesn’t touch the claustrophobia or other sensations that are so real in that experience.

Still, I thought Verne’s story would be terrifying, cramped, full of frightening unknown. But nothing could be farther from the truth! Captain Nemo is guiding Professor Aronnax through all of the wonders of the ocean floor, discovering beautiful underwater palaces and historically sunken marvels like Atlantis! It felt more like the original Disney’s “Little Mermaid” and all its color. I would love to read this fanciful adventure to my children.

Fantastic Story Fantastically Read

My title should cover everything. Although I’m required to write fifteen words. This is annoying.