What do you think?
Rate this book
A Drama in the Air: A Short Science Fiction Story
THIS was one of the very first stories published by
our well-known author, appearing soon after 1850. It is
perhaps not of the fine quality of some of Verne's later works,
but it is a little gem in itself, because, without a doubt, it
holds your interest, short as it is, has plenty of excitement
and a good deal of action. Moreover, it is not only probable,
but in a newspaper account some years ago, the identical thing
happened in a slightly different setting. It probably will happen
again. We know that you will like "A Drama in the Air." It is a pleasure
to publish this new, high quality, and affordable edition of this timeless story.
our well-known author, appearing soon after 1850. It is
perhaps not of the fine quality of some of Verne's later works,
but it is a little gem in itself, because, without a doubt, it
holds your interest, short as it is, has plenty of excitement
and a good deal of action. Moreover, it is not only probable,
but in a newspaper account some years ago, the identical thing
happened in a slightly different setting. It probably will happen
again. We know that you will like "A Drama in the Air." It is a pleasure
to publish this new, high quality, and affordable edition of this timeless story.
29 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1851
10 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Jules Verne
6,794 books12.2k followersNovels of French writer Jules Gabriel Verne, considered the founder of modern science fiction, include
Journey to the Center of the Earth
(1864) and
Around the World in Eighty Days
(1873).
This author who pioneered the genre. People best know him for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870).
Verne wrote about space, air, and underwater travel before people invented navigable aircraft and practical submarines and devised any means of spacecraft. He ranks behind Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie as the second most translated author of all time. People made his prominent films. People often refer to Verne alongside Herbert George Wells as the "father of science fiction."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_V...
This author who pioneered the genre. People best know him for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870).
Verne wrote about space, air, and underwater travel before people invented navigable aircraft and practical submarines and devised any means of spacecraft. He ranks behind Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie as the second most translated author of all time. People made his prominent films. People often refer to Verne alongside Herbert George Wells as the "father of science fiction."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_V...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 12, 2017
The premisse of this story is a bit of a personal nightmare to me, being trapped in the basket of a balloon with a stranger who's clearly a basket case (silly pun intended).
The rambling of the character makes this a strenuous read, and the reciting of early day balloonists failed to engage me. Even the dangerous and arduous trip in the balloon failed to grab my attention.
It seems my memory of the few Jules Verne books I read as a kid serves me right: they're hit or miss. I either love them (like Around the World in 80 Days), or not like them at all (like this one).
The rambling of the character makes this a strenuous read, and the reciting of early day balloonists failed to engage me. Even the dangerous and arduous trip in the balloon failed to grab my attention.
It seems my memory of the few Jules Verne books I read as a kid serves me right: they're hit or miss. I either love them (like Around the World in 80 Days), or not like them at all (like this one).
January 10, 2024
شخص يحل ضيفا غير متوقع على رياضي قبل رحلته على متن منطاد كان على وشك الإقلاع... لكن المشكلة الفعلية تظهر عند اقتراب نهاية الرحلة فالضيف اختار المنطاد كوسيلة للموت ...
و هنا يتجلى إمام ذلك الرياضي حقيقة الأمر فالكثير من المواقف تتطلب منا خلق اللحظة المناسبة للتحرك لا إنتظارها !
و هنا يتجلى إمام ذلك الرياضي حقيقة الأمر فالكثير من المواقف تتطلب منا خلق اللحظة المناسبة للتحرك لا إنتظارها !
September 6, 2022
This was quite intense! Nice, short steampunk adventure.
October 13, 2021
3,5 stelle
Un divertente ed istruttivo racconto su un uomo che vuole seguire le orme dei suoi eroi... Peccato che questi siano tutti martiri della scienza, morti in viaggi aerostatici accidentati!
Un divertente ed istruttivo racconto su un uomo che vuole seguire le orme dei suoi eroi... Peccato che questi siano tutti martiri della scienza, morti in viaggi aerostatici accidentati!
January 27, 2024
Aterrador, al iniciar un viaje en globo ningún pasajero quisiera que los acompañara un suicida, pues en este drama sucede, y las descripción de como un pasajero busca el momento más peligroso, la ruta mas tormentosa; el otro intenta por todos los medios y apelando a la suerte poder salvarse. Un viaje en el que el tercer pasajero es el lector.
April 9, 2018
عودة لإنتاجات مؤسسة هنداوي للطباعة والنشر و ترجمات الصديق زياد إبراهيم
هذه المرة مع كتابات أبو الخيال العلمي الحقيقي الفرنسي جول فيرن.
الحقيقة هذه القصة القصيرة غريبه جدا فهي اقل ما قرات لجول فيرن غرابة القصة تنبع من انها اشبه بوصف مطول فكرة السفر بالمنطاد
تقريبا جول فيرن أراد ان يضع رؤيته حول هذه الصرعة الحديثة في وقته والحديث عن إيجابيها وسلبيتها و تاريخها ومخاطرها فبدلا من ان يضع ذلك في مقال وضعه في قالب قصة قصيره.
برغم من أن الترجمة لا تشوبها شائبه إلا العنوان حيث أنني كنت أفضل العنوان "دراما في الهواء" خصوصا انه العنوان المعتمد لاحقا للقصة لكن يبدو أنهم قرروا الالتزام بالعنوان الأول القديم الأصلي "رحلة على متن منطاد" لكن القصة نفسها لم تروقني صراحه لذا سأكتفي لها بنجمتين.
هذه المرة مع كتابات أبو الخيال العلمي الحقيقي الفرنسي جول فيرن.
الحقيقة هذه القصة القصيرة غريبه جدا فهي اقل ما قرات لجول فيرن غرابة القصة تنبع من انها اشبه بوصف مطول فكرة السفر بالمنطاد
تقريبا جول فيرن أراد ان يضع رؤيته حول هذه الصرعة الحديثة في وقته والحديث عن إيجابيها وسلبيتها و تاريخها ومخاطرها فبدلا من ان يضع ذلك في مقال وضعه في قالب قصة قصيره.
برغم من أن الترجمة لا تشوبها شائبه إلا العنوان حيث أنني كنت أفضل العنوان "دراما في الهواء" خصوصا انه العنوان المعتمد لاحقا للقصة لكن يبدو أنهم قرروا الالتزام بالعنوان الأول القديم الأصلي "رحلة على متن منطاد" لكن القصة نفسها لم تروقني صراحه لذا سأكتفي لها بنجمتين.
December 8, 2015
*Had to read this for English class*
March 28, 2026
Jules Verne's earliest published science fiction story is A Voyage in a Balloon, or in French, "Un voyage en ballon." It was published in August 1851 in Musée des familles. Later titled in a different translation "A Drama in the Air" (Un drame dans les airs), the stories explore a balloonist's aerial journey.
This early Verne clearly shows the influence of Edgar Allan Poe, and demonstrates Verne's technique of embedding scientific detail into adventure. It was later included in the 1874 collection Le Docteur Ox (Doctor Ox and Other Stories). I read the 1852 version, available for free from Gutenberg.org, rather than the 1874 one. It's not only the earliest translation of Verne into English, it's a superior translation (by Ms. Wilbur), for reasons made clear by redactor Norman M. Wolcott of Rockville, Maryland, in the preface.
The translator, Anne Toppan Wilbur (1817–1864), also known as Anne T. Wood, was an American author and translator from Massachusetts who produced the first English translation of a Jules Verne story. She was a prolific translator of French literature in the mid-19th century, working under several names including Mrs. John Procter. She specialized in translating French works into English during the mid-19th century and is credited with the earliest translations of some of Verne's short, non-fiction, or scientific magazine pieces.
The story was excellent. Shortly after hot air balloons were invented, a man is about to take off in his from Frankfort, Germany, only it wasn't Germany back then. His crew chickens out and abandons him. So he goes up alone. Or so he thought, but he wasn't alone. A reckless stowaway went up with him and keeps making them go higher. What is this stowaway's real agenda?
One thing I really appreciate about this story is that it's the first example of hard science fiction ever written. Verne details how this hot air balloon works. He does it in such reproducible detail that Verne's next translator feels obligated to deliberately obscure technical details so that a reader could not follow Verne's directions and make a hot air balloon from them. Too dangerous. For that reason, among others, I'm so glad Gutenberg provides this first and earliest translation.
This early Verne clearly shows the influence of Edgar Allan Poe, and demonstrates Verne's technique of embedding scientific detail into adventure. It was later included in the 1874 collection Le Docteur Ox (Doctor Ox and Other Stories). I read the 1852 version, available for free from Gutenberg.org, rather than the 1874 one. It's not only the earliest translation of Verne into English, it's a superior translation (by Ms. Wilbur), for reasons made clear by redactor Norman M. Wolcott of Rockville, Maryland, in the preface.
The translator, Anne Toppan Wilbur (1817–1864), also known as Anne T. Wood, was an American author and translator from Massachusetts who produced the first English translation of a Jules Verne story. She was a prolific translator of French literature in the mid-19th century, working under several names including Mrs. John Procter. She specialized in translating French works into English during the mid-19th century and is credited with the earliest translations of some of Verne's short, non-fiction, or scientific magazine pieces.
The story was excellent. Shortly after hot air balloons were invented, a man is about to take off in his from Frankfort, Germany, only it wasn't Germany back then. His crew chickens out and abandons him. So he goes up alone. Or so he thought, but he wasn't alone. A reckless stowaway went up with him and keeps making them go higher. What is this stowaway's real agenda?
One thing I really appreciate about this story is that it's the first example of hard science fiction ever written. Verne details how this hot air balloon works. He does it in such reproducible detail that Verne's next translator feels obligated to deliberately obscure technical details so that a reader could not follow Verne's directions and make a hot air balloon from them. Too dangerous. For that reason, among others, I'm so glad Gutenberg provides this first and earliest translation.
September 23, 2025
Novela muy corta de Verne. Pero sobre todo, muy peculiar. Diferente al grueso de sus novelas. Y como lector de las obras de Verne, agradezco una narración diferente y novedosa, un estilo adicional a la tendencia general.
En esta novela, la historia que está sucediendo, solo sirve como esqueleto principal para soportar una serie de breves relatos que explicarán el desenlace de la trama principal.
Un aeronauta, inicia un vuelo en globo, momento en que un demente salta a la canastilla para acompañarlo de manera forzada. El loco va imponiendo las condiciones de vuelo, soltando los lastres para determinar la altura y hasta soltar la canastilla para suicidarse. Gradualmente, mientras toma el control del vuelo, va narrando diferentes pasajes de viajes realizados en globo, mismos que terminan letalmente. Los relatos, pretenden justificar su decisión de suicidarse. Afortunadamente, el aeronauta principal logra salvarse.
Lo que me pareció poco creíble en la historia, es el hecho de que el aeronauta se resigna a que el loco tome el control del globo. Lo deja hacer a su capricho. De por medio no hay agresiones o amenzas con algún tipo de arma. No alcanzo a entender por qué Verne lo estableció de esta manera.
Un detalle que me llamó la atención es que el viajero demente, es un hombre culto, es un experto teórico en el tema de viajes en globo (no queda claro si cuenta con experiencia práctica previa). Lo que esta refiriendo aquí Verne, como posibilidad, es que contar con conocimientos bastos, puede orillar a tomar decisiones irracionales... Interesante punto.
En esta novela, la historia que está sucediendo, solo sirve como esqueleto principal para soportar una serie de breves relatos que explicarán el desenlace de la trama principal.
Un aeronauta, inicia un vuelo en globo, momento en que un demente salta a la canastilla para acompañarlo de manera forzada. El loco va imponiendo las condiciones de vuelo, soltando los lastres para determinar la altura y hasta soltar la canastilla para suicidarse. Gradualmente, mientras toma el control del vuelo, va narrando diferentes pasajes de viajes realizados en globo, mismos que terminan letalmente. Los relatos, pretenden justificar su decisión de suicidarse. Afortunadamente, el aeronauta principal logra salvarse.
Lo que me pareció poco creíble en la historia, es el hecho de que el aeronauta se resigna a que el loco tome el control del globo. Lo deja hacer a su capricho. De por medio no hay agresiones o amenzas con algún tipo de arma. No alcanzo a entender por qué Verne lo estableció de esta manera.
Un detalle que me llamó la atención es que el viajero demente, es un hombre culto, es un experto teórico en el tema de viajes en globo (no queda claro si cuenta con experiencia práctica previa). Lo que esta refiriendo aquí Verne, como posibilidad, es que contar con conocimientos bastos, puede orillar a tomar decisiones irracionales... Interesante punto.
July 26, 2021
I've read Jules Verne books before & liked them so I wasn't prepared for this one which was more of an article than a book. There really wasn't much of a story to it either--a balloonist is going to launch from Frankfurt during a festival & has selected three volunteers to join him. When it comes time to take off, none of the men show up, too scared to follow through, so the balloonist prepares to launch alone. At the last second, a young man from the crowd jumps aboard to join him. The passenger takes over the journey, tossing out ballast left & right to push the balloon higher, meanwhile spouting all kinds of historical data about previous balloonists & their adventures, accidents & deaths. The balloonist fears they will die as they rise higher into colder temperatures, less oxygen, & a thunderstorm & tries to regain control to keep them safe. The strange man cuts the basket loose to keep them going, but they eventually crash. The balloonist is rescued by a local farmer & that's it. Lots of technical information & history which really isn't that interesting. I was disappointed.
September 28, 2025
"A Drama in the Air" is shorter than "Zacarias," but in a way, it's more digestible for me. I was able to read it in a single day more easily than the previous short story. This time, I was able to maintain my focus. As I mentioned before, there’s something about Jules Verne's books and short stories that reminds me of my time in school. I mean... It's obvious if I think about it because my teacher assigned us to read an author, and I chose Jules Verne back then.
August 13, 2025
Un intento de Verne por hacer picaresca.
Otro de sus cuentos que casi nadie conoce, pero que resume perfectamente el estilo de este escritor: historia sencilla, sin mucha complicación, que te alecciona de todo (en este caso, la historia de la aeronáutica), con sus toques de chistes, ya crueles, ya niveles humor inglés.
Pero bueno... al final se calló Eróstrato o Empédocles y se mató.
Otro de sus cuentos que casi nadie conoce, pero que resume perfectamente el estilo de este escritor: historia sencilla, sin mucha complicación, que te alecciona de todo (en este caso, la historia de la aeronáutica), con sus toques de chistes, ya crueles, ya niveles humor inglés.
Pero bueno... al final se calló Eróstrato o Empédocles y se mató.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2026
É interessante para aprender sobre a história do balonismo e a fixação em voar da aristocracia do século XIX.
Me lembrou Santos Dumont, que saiu de uma fazenda em Minas Gerais para a Exposição Universal em Paris e se instalou por lá por muitos anos, fazendo parte dessa fixação também.
A história em si é intensa e maluca. Mas vale a pena ler se houver interesse pelo contexto
Me lembrou Santos Dumont, que saiu de uma fazenda em Minas Gerais para a Exposição Universal em Paris e se instalou por lá por muitos anos, fazendo parte dessa fixação também.
A história em si é intensa e maluca. Mas vale a pena ler se houver interesse pelo contexto
December 9, 2021
Si no te interesa muchísimo los viajes en globo carece de interés. La historia es casi inexistente, los personajes solo son una excusa para dar una infinidad de datos históricos y técnicos sobre el tema.
April 21, 2022
গল্পটায় ভালো কিছু উপাদান ছিল,তবে তাদেরকে প্রস্ফুটিত হওয়ার জায়গা দেওয়া হয়নি।
এই ছোটগল্পটি জুল ভার্নের প্রথম দিকের কাজ।তাই তাঁর পরের দিকের কাজগুলোর সাথে এর তুলনা করাটা বোধহয় বোকামী হবে।জুল ভার্নের ফ্যানদের জন্য 'ওয়ান টাইম রিড' হিসেবে ঠিকঠাক।
এই ছোটগল্পটি জুল ভার্নের প্রথম দিকের কাজ।তাই তাঁর পরের দিকের কাজগুলোর সাথে এর তুলনা করাটা বোধহয় বোকামী হবে।জুল ভার্নের ফ্যানদের জন্য 'ওয়ান টাইম রিড' হিসেবে ঠিকঠাক।
May 8, 2024
Just as a man is taking his hot air balloon up for a ride, an unexpected man jumps in. The intruder wants to take the balloon us as high as it can go. Thus begins a battle in the balloon. I won't reveal how it ends, but the story does not disappoint.
June 24, 2024
Despite being well-researched, this story falls short of the author's later works. The plot feels lacking, with too much focus on the history of ballooning rather than developing the character's story. I expected more depth and engagement from the narrative.
February 10, 2025
Histoire courte d'une trentaine de pages qui semble surtout être l'occasion pour Jules Verne de mettre en lumière les recherches qu'il n'a pas manqué d'entreprendre sur l'évolution des aéronefs pour son roman précédent "Cinq semaines en ballon". Rien ne se perd, tout se recycle !
July 18, 2025
رِحْلةٍ في مُنْطادِ مِن مَدِينةِ فرانكفورت الأَلْمانيةِ مُتَّجهًا نَحوَ فرنسا، لَكنَّه يُفاجَأُ بغَرِيبٍ يَقفِزُ داخِلَ المُنطادِ أثناءَ صُعودِهِ ولا يَقدِرُ عَلى التَّخلُّصِ مِنْه. يَنوِي المُرافِقُ الغَرِيبُ اصْطِحابَ المُنطادِ لأَعْلى مَسافةٍ مُمكِنةٍ في الهَواء، ولَوْ على حِسابِ حَياتِه
September 10, 2025
Not much of a story: it's more a lecture on the history of ballooning. Interesting, if only because it's an insight into early science fiction. Verne was trying to find ways of educating people about science through stories. It's not very good, but it was, in its way, ground-breaking.
September 4, 2017
Very interesting.
December 22, 2017
Nice short story.
August 18, 2018
كان لازم تتسمى قصة مجنون على متن منطاد :)
July 4, 2020
Not his best work or a poor translation. Still filled with tension and innovation.
December 28, 2020
As a classic it's a great one time read. A little bit drawn out with the main story.
November 19, 2021
Just a typical balloon trip.
February 22, 2026
Lecture brève et intense. Ça m'a tenu en haleine, j'ai apprécié l'aspect obsessionnel du personnage prêt à mourir pour son obsession.
April 16, 2026
Gran personaje Erostrate o Empedocles eso si muy mal amigo.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews