Around the World in 80 Days (in 1,000 words or less)
"I'd like to see you do it in 80 days."
"It depends on you. Shall we go?"
"But I would wager £20,000 that such a journey, made under these conditions, is impossible!"
Phileas Fogg, our protagonist; member of the Reform Club.
Fogg has just employed a new servant, named Jean Passepartout, then departs for the Club for the evening.
At the Reform Club, the gentlemen are discussing a thief who has recently robbed a bank, and where he may flee to.
"The world has grown smaller, since a man can now go around it ten times faster than 100 years ago."
"That is true, gentlemen. In only 80 days."
Fogg places a wager with some of the other members: he bets £20,000 that he will travel around the world in 80 days! 😱
"As today is Wednesday, October 2, I shall be due in this very room on Saturday, December 21."
Fogg returns home to grab Passepartout, and the two gentlemen purchase train tickets to Paris.
On the train, a British detective named Fix, who believes that Fogg is the bank thief, begins to stalk him...
The three gentlemen make it to Bombay, where Fix attempts to acquire a warrant for Phileas Fogg's arrest. He cannot obtain one.
So they all board their next train for Calcutta. Their journey is suddenly interrupted though -- the railway is unfinished! 🤦♀️
Passepartout manages to track down another method of transportation: an elephant! 🐘😱 Fogg purchases the elephant, as well as a guide, and the party continue.
(Images created using an AI art generator on Night Cafe)
As they walk through the jungles, they witness a procession of Hindu priests, as well as a "sati."
"A sati is a human sacrifice, an involuntary one. The woman you have just seen will be burned tomorrow."
The group take it upon themselves to try and rescue the woman. As the sacrifice is about to take place, Passepartout takes advantage of the opportunity, and swoops her away!
Fogg, Passepartout, and the woman named Aouda continue on their journey. Their elephant drops them off at a train station, still bound for Calcutta. Once there, they are immediately detained by a police officer.
"You will appear before Judge Obadiah at half-past eight."
They learn that the Hindu priests from earlier have accused the party of violating a religious setting (the sacrifice). What's more, they have evidence: Passepartout's one shoe that was left behind.
The two gentlemen are sentenced to imprisonment, but are quickly granted bail, which Fogg pays immediately. The gentlemen and Aouda leave the courthouse and board a ship set for Hong Kong! (As well as Detective Fix).
While at sea, the ship encounters a storm, which delays the journey. They don't reach Hong Kong until November 6, and by a stroke of luck, their next ship has been delayed as well!
"She should have gone yesterday, but they had to repair one of her boilers, and the departure was postponed."
There is a bit of free time to spare! Passepartout and Fix decide to go for a walk together, until they end up in an opium-smoking bar.
It is there that the Detective tells Passepartout the truth.
"I am not, as you think, a spy for the Reform Club. I am a police detective."
Fix asks for Passepartout's help: to postpone Fogg's journey by a few days, until Fix obtains a warrant. However Passepartout refuses, so Fix knocks him out using the opium!
Passepartout is missing, and without his servant to notify him of the ship's early departure, Fogg misses it. He quickly enlists the service of a small vessel ship instead. The three leave for Shanghai, without Passepartout...
By mid-November, they make it to Shanghai, just barely managing to flag down the ship for San Francisco!
Passepartout, meanwhile, had joined a Japanese circus that was also destined for the United States! As it would happen, he spots his master Fogg during one of his performances, and the group boards the ship once again -- together!
By November 15, they have made it halfway around the world!
They arrive in San Francisco. They board another train. During the trip, they are attacked by Sioux, armed with guns! By the end of it all, many passengers are injured and several are missing -- including Passepartout!
Fogg (and 30 volunteers) go out in search of the captured prisoners. Aouda and Fix stay on the train... Until finally Fogg returns with Passepartout! 🎉 However his rescue has meant missing the scheduled train...
So Fogg enlists the help of a sled with sails!
(The cover of my book depicts this scene)
They travel through the blistering cold, until they finally make it to Omaha station! But they have missed the train once again... Not all is lost; Fogg finds a trading vessel ship, and the four take off once more!
They are on their way to Liverpool. It is December 16, and the crew have run out of coal to burn. They use all that is left, then begin to burn parts of the ship!
They make it to the Queenston Harbor, board a train, then are arrested yet again by Fix. Fogg is quickly released however, because Fix learns that the thief had already been caught!
But by the time Fogg finally reaches London, he is 5 minutes late! He has lost the wager...
Fogg returns home, where he and Aouda profess their love for one another! 💞
Fogg sends Passepartout out, to find a priest for their wedding the next day, but he cannot!
"My master! Marriage -- impossible! Tomorrow is Sunday! You have made a mistake of one day!"
Because they had been traveling east the entire time, Fogg had actually gained a day -- he won the bet! 😀
And so, on December 21, on the sixtieth second of 8:44 PM, Fogg walks through the doors of the Reform Club, and declares himself victorious!
"What had he really gained by all this trouble? Nothing but a charming woman who made him the happiest of men!
Truly, would you not for less than that make the tour around the world?"
My review...
So I had never read Around The World In 80 Days before. I know it is considered a classic, and it was cute and everything... But couldn't really get into this one 😅
I understand it was a different time; many people were not fortunate enough to travel, let alone leave their hometowns! So I understand why most of this novel was just descriptive text about the scenery, people, clothing, etc., to really give the reader a feel of the different parts of the world. But my gawd was it boring! 😭
I can appreciate Phileas Fogg's character. A very calm and collected gentleman, who never let any of the obstacles interfere with the goal -- even while all others felt hopeless! I do admire that aspect of "old" Britain, when the gentleman's code was prevalent, and people meant what they said and did. As for all of the other characters, meh 😅 Too zany and comical to find relatable.
The ending was done wonderfully as well. I wasn't able to do it justice in my synopsis, but the book first reveals Fogg arriving "late," then the next chapter tells of him walking into the Reform Club to win the bet! The next chapter explains what happened, but it really sent my head for a spin 😄
And I will agree on the message of the story... At least, I think I understand what the message was 😅 Nothing in the world will amount to the love of that special someone. No amount of money, not the sights and wonders of the world, will amount to the love and happiness your partner can make you feel.
I am currently looking for a new title to read, if anyone has any recommendations 🙏 Thank you, and enjoy the day!