MobileRead Discussion: The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne (spoilers)

[lila55]

This was the first book ever I read by Jules Verne.
In the beginning, I did not think I would want to finish it, but after forcing myself to read into it for a while, it became more interesting, even to the point that I did not want to put it down.

It struck me as a bit unusual that the men did not have disagreements now and then - everybody was friendly all the time, nobody tried to break out of the team, there was no struggle to change the hierarchy (with the engineer always staying at the top) even after living together for several years in a small group, confined to the island.

What annoyed me a little bit was the fact that the men not so much were willing to live WITH the nature they found, but rather that they wanted to change everything, make themselves the masters of the island. At least that was the feeling I had, but I realize of course that the book was written in a different time, a time were people were feeling very positiv towards technological progress.

Anyhow, I am glad I read the book (would never have done it without MR ), but I am not rushing to pick up the next one by this author.

[WT Sharpe]

I was amazed by how many of the characters could feel that "[n]othing more is now wanting to our island" even though there were no women there. If the oft quoted statistics are true, only 10% of them would have been satisfied in that state. Of course, it's always possible that they only planned their prison escape with like-minded friends.

[Moe The Cat]

Originally Posted by lila55

What annoyed me a little bit was the fact that the men not so much were willing to live WITH the nature they found, but rather that they wanted to change everything, make themselves the masters of the island. At least that was the feeling I had, but I realize of course that the book was written in a different time, a time were people were feeling very positiv towards technological progress.

This bothered me too. They always seemed to be saying, "Look! A new animal! Let's kill it and eat it!" Of course, when I read this book as a teenager in the early 1970's, I don't remember this being a concern for me. I suspect it's more a by-product of our changing times. We're more aware of environmental issues now.

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Of course, it's always possible that they only planned their prison escape with like-minded friends.

[SneakySnake]

Where was the loo in the Granite House? Given that it was difficult to enter and exit. Did they perhaps use the scary hole that Top kept barking at? I am only up to Chapter 2 in part 2 so maybe I will find out.

I also was a bit annoyed about them having to kill every animal they found. They also complained of not keeping warm during that first winter, but they managed to kill foxes for bait? They also killed the seals for the fat for Cyrus' works. Seal fur is supposed to be very warm isn't it? They seemed to be looking for bear fur instead.

Oh well I must be off the read another chapter to catch up.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by SneakySnake

Where was the loo in the Granite House? Given that it was difficult to enter and exit. Did they perhaps use the scary hole that Top kept barking at? I am only up to Chapter 2 in part 2 so maybe I will find out.

I don't remember any mention of latrines or anything else to do with waste disposal. They mention getting running water into the cave, but not where they sent the overflow.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I don't remember any mention of latrines or anything else to do with waste disposal. They mention getting running water into the cave, but not where they sent the overflow.

Maybe Verne was planning a sequel: "How the Islanders Went: The Untold Story."

[yekim54]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I don't remember any mention of latrines or anything else to do with waste disposal. They mention getting running water into the cave, but not where they sent the overflow.

Part 1, Chapter 21, paragraph 6:

During this period of cold, Cyrus Harding had great cause to congratulate himself on having brought to Granite House the little stream of water from Lake Grant. Taken below the frozen surface, and conducted through the passage, it preserved its fluidity, and arrived at an interior reservoir which had been hollowed out at the back part of the storeroom, while the overflow ran through the well to the sea.

Also, Part 2, Chapter 9, paragraph 22:

For this, it was enough to augment the flow of the little stream which supplied the interior of Granite House with water. The opening among the stones and grass was then increased, thus producing a strong fall at the bottom of the passage, the overflow from which escaped by the inner well.

[BenG]

Obviously they built the latrine over the pit. Which may have been a problem for anyone eavesdropping at the bottom.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by BenG

Obviously they built the latrine over the pit. Which may have been a problem for anyone eavesdropping at the bottom.

Well, they did get to hear all the crap that was going on.

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by BenG

Obviously they built the latrine over the pit. Which may have been a problem for anyone eavesdropping at the bottom.

Where better to eavesdrop at the bottom??

[SneakySnake]

I thought you would do it at the eaves? But I guess granite house didn't have any. So they had to.....

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by SneakySnake

I thought you would do it at the eaves? But I guess granite house didn't have any. So they had to.....

Looks like the mysterious stranger dropped quite a few eaves on the bad guys!

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I don't remember any mention of latrines or anything else to do with waste disposal. They mention getting running water into the cave, but not where they sent the overflow.

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Maybe Verne was planning a sequel: "How the Islanders Went: The Untold Story."

Originally Posted by BenG

Obviously they built the latrine over the pit. Which may have been a problem for anyone eavesdropping at the bottom.

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Well, they did get to hear all the crap that was going on.

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Where better to eavesdrop at the bottom??

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Looks like the mysterious stranger dropped quite a few eaves on the bad guys!

Really people?

BOb

[pilotbob]

OK... I finished this book. I also really enjoyed it. I do agree with many of the comments.

I wondered near the end... would it not have been possible to blast in the caldera to relive the pressure at the point where it appears to have gone the past time.

I mean they lowered the level of a lake by creating a waterfall with improvised explosive. At the end they had plenty of black powder from the brig and from Ayrtons Tabor island stores.

As far as the animals... they did build a corral to house them and raise them... chickens for eggs and yes to eat, onagers which they used like mules, musmons for their fur.

I personally have no problem eating animals... even today that is the staple of a good portion of the world.

Since some people have read what the "mystery" is... I'll spoiler some comments about that:

Spoiler:

I am confused as to why the Nautilus was trapped. Did he not have torpedoes at his disposal? He used one to destroy the pirate ship.

I think this was a great book club selection... thanks to HarryT for suggesting it.

BOb

[WT Sharpe]

Folks, how realistic do you feel it is that that six people with nothing but the clothes on their backs could be dropped on an island and create such an advanced civilization in three years' time? (This is a serious question; I'm asking.)