by Rachel Turner

Created on: June 18, 2009

Journey to the Center of the Earth is a true literary classic! French author, Jules Verne, who is also known as the "Father of Science Fiction", has wriiten many great classics we still enjoy today. His classics include, but not limited to: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, The Mysterious Island, Around the Earth in Eighty Days and From the Earth to the Moon. Verne penned topics such as underwater and space travel before the world ever took a second thought about such foreign subjects. Surprisingly, Verne's novels were first rejected by publishers. His career took off after meeting the acquaintance of Pierre Jules Hetzel, a renown publisher and editor.

Journey to the Center of the Earth starts with the introduction of Axel and his hot tempered uncle, Professor Lidenbrock. The professor is extremely excited over an ancient Icelandic tome he acquired. As they both sit down to study the tome, an aged piece of parchment falls from the pages. Written on the parchment was some sort of code they both could not figure out. When Axel does finally uncover the message, he is astounded at what it says. The message tells of a hidden passageway leading to the Earth's very core! Not wanting to risk his life on such a dangerous mission, Axel does not at first tell his uncle he has discovered the meaning of the cryptic message. Seeing the stress his uncle is going through trying to figure out the text, Axel reluctantly shares the meaning of the parchment. Thrust into a journey he fears will take all their lives, Axel accompanies the now frenzied and obsessed Professor along with their guide Hans, to find the center of the earth.

Erupting Volcano's, underground seas, giant humans, prehistoric animals and monsters are just some of what Axel, Hans and the Professor encounter on their perilous journey. Jules Verne is a true literary master. He brings you into his stories, you see what the characters see, you hear what they hear and taste what they taste. As you read his work, you can taste the salt in the sea air, you feel the cold granite and hear the rushing of water. Verne uses scientific fact mixed with detailed, imaginative prose to hook his readers all the way through. His books literally take you on a high intensity journey to another world that will keep you thinking about it for days to come. I highly recommend this great classic, and not just this one, please read them all.

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