Around the World in 80 Days - Week 1 (Chap 1 - 10)

[Gem , Moderator]

Welcome to our adventure as we follow the sojourn of Mr. Phileas Fogg and his valet Jean Passepartout as they attempt to circumnavigate the world in 80 days.

This book opens by describing Fogg as a rather eccentric British gentleman and his daily routines. The day the story begins he hires a new valet, the old one was dismissed for bringing Fogg his shaving water two degrees too cool, after which he proceeds to the Reform Club.

At the Reform Club we see Fogg engaging in conversations with other club members regarding a bank robbery. Their conversation then turns into a debate about whether or not the globe could be circumnavigated in 80 days. A wager is made and shortly thereafter Fogg is on his way. It is October 2, 1872 and Fogg must return to the Reform Club on or by December 21.

Why do you think Mr Fogg makes this bet?

Why do the other members of the Reform Club agree to
bet?

Fogg makes the statement that "The unforeseen does not exist." What do you think of this statements?

In Chapter V we meet Detective Fix who has determined that Fogg was the bank robber. What do you think about his evidence against Fogg and his description of the bank robber?

While traveling Passepartout desires to at least catch a glimpse of the scenery and sights as they pass while Fogg spends all his time inside playing cards. This is only on example where Fogg and Passepartout seem to be opposites, did you see any other examples? Are there examples of the two men being/behaving similarly?

[Gem , Moderator]

Off topic announcement:
The poll for October is now open.

[Roman Clodia]

❀✿ Gem ✿❀ wrote: "Fogg makes the statement that "The unforeseen does not exist." What do you think of this statements?"

While in lots of ways they're very different, this statement reminded me of the logical, rational Sherlock Holmes who wants to screen out emotion and the irrational. It seems to reflect some kind of scientific desire or objective in the period that wants to organise and tidy up life and experience - even though the books themselves don't subscribe to that view and often show up its limitations.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I notice that Fogg is focussed soley on his objective, instead of enjoying the journey the way Passe-Partout is.

[Rafael]

Fogg is a stereotypical British man for the French?

Indeed, Rosemarie, he is not worried about to enjoy the trip and the landscapes.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Poor Passe-Partout. He was looking for an employer set in his ways and not adventurous so that he could settle down after all his travels. And Fogg makes that bet to make a trip around the world in 80 days and off they go. And then he realizes he forgot to turn off the gas in his room.

I wonder whether Verne chose their names deliberately. Fogg may be organized but never seems to be aware of his surroundings, seems being a key word.
Passe-partout means able to go anywhere- and he certainly does.
Just a thought.

[Roman Clodia]

Rosemarie, yes, significant names for sure! Fogg's rationalism seems to leave him slightly disconnected from the world around him.

[Deborah, Moderator]

Rosemarie wrote: "I notice that Fogg is focussed soley on his objective, instead of enjoying the journey the way Passe-Partout is."

Fix too is focused on his goal too and not the surrounding which makes sense in his role of detective. And again, the name Fix seems appropriate as he attempts to capture his man.

Anyone besides me enjoying the titles of the chapters? I sat down on a rare quiet day to read a bit, and found the whole experience to be great fun.

[Deborah, Moderator]

There's definitely suspense re Fogg being the bank robber. Fogg, himself, indicates the robber may b a gentleman, and nobody knows the origin of his wealth. He has a safe in his room and plenty of ready cash. Yet the description of the robber seems pretty ordinary. Plus since the loss was not found until the end of the day, and the description based on a person whose actions seemed suspicious, we can't be sure the description is accurate.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I like descriptive chapter titles as well. This book is great for a summer read, a lot of fun action is happening.
I have trouble imagining Fogg smiling or laughing, or showing any type of emotion.

[Deborah, Moderator]

Rosemarie wrote: "I like descriptive chapter titles as well. This book is great for a summer read, a lot of fun action is happening.
I have trouble imagining Fogg smiling or laughing, or showing any type of emotion."

I agree with you re Fogg and emotion. He certainly comes across as cold and efficient.

[Robin P, Moderator]

This is one of the classics I remember fondly from a set of illustrated children's books my family had. They were paperbound but more comprehensive than most children's versions. I moved on to the full versions and they all became lifetime favorites. The others were Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes and The Three Musketeers. I was excited when a movie of Around the World in 80 days came out in the 1960's but disappointed that it added a lot of silly things to the book.

The humor and action make this a very fun read. It doesn't really have science fiction elements, unlike the rest of Verne, since everything he writes about could possibly have been done at the time.

[Deborah, Moderator]

Robin wrote: "This is one of the classics I remember fondly from a set of illustrated children's books my family had. They were paperbound but more comprehensive than most children's versions. I moved on to the ..."

Robin childhood memories like that are wonderful. I had a book with snipets of stories. One was about Pompeii. I've been fascinated ever since. Don't forget our next read is Sherlock Holmes. He's a favorite of mine too.

This book is a first read for me, and has been such a fun romp.

[Roman Clodia]

My first Verne, too. I guess the equivalent today would be a journey to Mars where we could wonder at the technology and modernity of it all. I think I'd be more of a wide-eyed and interested Passepartout than a phlegmatic Fogg! Is he supposed to be a caricature of the stiff-upper-lipped English gentleman?

[Gem , Moderator]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Is he supposed to be a caricature of the stiff-upper-lipped English gentleman? "

I believe that to be the case. Several of the commentaries either outright say so or imply that's the case.

[Tracey]

I have read Journey to the Center of the Earth which I liked and so based on the choice by this group I picked up Around the World...

I thought I knew the story but am happily surprised to find it more interesting and funnier.

One question was why Verne, a French man, chose an Englishman as the protagonist? Really Passepartout is the hero of the story in many ways and Phileas Fogg seems to be in a constant fog, like those pea soupers found in Victorian London.

Fogg's decision to make this bet really doesn't make sense except I guess for a man who is living a fairly emotionally and intellectually depressing life to be able to do something with risk and therefore add spice to his life.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

In regard to the Fix question-How did Fogg get his money? I can see how Fix made the mistake. Fogg has no apparent source of income and is now embarking on a sudden journey around the world with plenty of ready money.

[Inger]

It was surprising that the adventure of the book, at least so far, is not what the characters encounter in the different countries but the theft story and a bet. I find Phileas Fogg an intriguing person with his routines and his obsession with time and exactness. Is that partly what Verene thought about Englishmen? Like me several others also found it strange that he does not profit from travelling through all these interesting places. Taking some interest in that would not even have a negative effect on his bet so I really don' t understand why he is so uninterested. Why he took on the bet is a very good question. Maybe one reason is to prove that his belief that this is possible can come true. Surely there are other reasons. Another thing to reflect on is, I think, Vernes attitude to colonialism. There are some ironic comments that make it seem critical. I I also noted that this is a book completely free from women but we will see what happens. It is enchanting reading so far. I like his detailed and straightforward style, his way of describing the characters and letting their personalities be more and more revealed. The way he builds up suspence and interest. Much more likeable than I thought with no prior experience of Verne.

[Gem , Moderator]

Inger wrote: "Like me several others also found it strange that he does not profit from travelling through all these interesting places. Taking some interest in that would not even have a negative effect on his bet so I really don' t understand why he is so uninterested."

I've been thinking about his. In this week's read there was a passage about him playing cards with a couple of other men on the train (or was it a ship... I can't remember now), that is what he would do in the afternoon with the other men at the club. I wonder if this is not part of him trying to keep to his regular routine?

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Inger, this is a good book for your first experience by Verne. I really enjoyed their adventures in their trip around the world. I agree that Fogg took the bet to prove that his exact scientific attitude to life could help him succeed in this journey. He had everything scheduled in advance, with all the various methods of transportation he used.

[Ryan]

Roman Clodia wrote: "❀✿ Gem ✿❀ wrote: "Fogg makes the statement that "The unforeseen does not exist." What do you think of this statements?"

While in lots of ways they're very different, this statement reminded me of ..."

I definitely agree with you. There is something very objective, yet comic, in the way Fogg approaches his task, which is certainly reminiscent of Holmes. I also find some parallels between the bumbling doltishness of Fix and Lestrade.

[Frances, Moderator]

“In short, the house in Saville Row, which must have been a very temple of disorder and unrest under the illustrious but dissipated Sheridan, was cosiness, comfort, and method idealised. There was no study, nor were there books, which would have been quite useless to Mr. Fogg; for at the Reform two libraries, one of general literature and the other of law and politics, were at his service. A moderate-sized safe stood in his bedroom, constructed so as to defy fire as well as burglars; but Passepartout found neither arms nor hunting weapons anywhere; everything betrayed the most tranquil and peaceable habits.”

Excerpt From: Verne, Jules. “Around the World in Eighty Days

From the first chapter, a wonderful description of the house, and by extension the character, of Fogg. Interesting that he keeps no books as he can find them all at his club-suggesting that he "lives" more at his club than at home. The prominence given to the safe is also intriguing. The use of the term " method" is, as others have mentioned, reminiscent of Holmes or Poirot, human thinking machines.

[Frances, Moderator]

“He sat down quietly to breakfast in his cabin, never once thinking of inspecting the town, being one of those Englishmen who are wont to see foreign countries through the eyes of their domestics.”

Excerpt From: Verne, Jules. “Around the World in Eighty Days.” iBooks.

From ch 7-have we seen any evidence of Fogg's seeing the world through Passepartout's eyes?

[Frances, Moderator]

Deborah wrote: "Rosemarie wrote: "I notice that Fogg is focussed soley on his objective, instead of enjoying the journey the way Passe-Partout is."

Fix too is focused on his goal too and not the surrounding which..."

I'm enjoying how Fix, with his very British policeman propriety, cannot move on Fogg until the warrant arrives-presumably this will stretch out the narrative for many miles to come!