PLOT SUMMARY, Around the World in Eighty Days
Jules Verne’s classic novel, published in 1873, is said to be his most popular book (at least in English–its french title is Tour du Monde en Quatre-Vingt Jours). Unlike most of Verne’s works, it is neither science fiction nor fantasy. Instead, it follows the journey of Phileas Fogg, an eccentric Englishman, who has made a wager with the Reform Club that he can circumnavigate the globe in 80 days or less. Fogg and his servant, Passepartout, set out to win a purse of £20,000 (roughly £1.6 million today, according to Wikipedia), after reading in the newspaper that a railway in India has been completed, ostensibly making it possible to travel all the way around the world by train and ship.
Meanwhile, a London bank has been robbed and circumstantial evidence leads Detective Fix to suspect Mr. Fogg. He (pardon me, SHE–in our production) sets out to follow and arrest Fogg, and becomes caught up in the adventures (and misadventures) of circumnavigating the globe.
A daring rescue, an escape by elephant, a typhoon, an Indian attack in the American west, and a runaway train are among the perils awaiting the unflappable Phileas Fogg and his faithful manservant. But will they make it back to London in time?
Here is a map of the route taken by Fogg, courtesy of Wikipedia:
A good book. I was fascinated by this man who could handle any crisis with aplomb–and was willing to sacrifice his fortune to do the right thing by other people. What a man. And I liked Passpartout, so eager to please but so reliant on Fogg.