Off on a Comet

By Verne, Jules

Book Id: WPLBN0000633239
Format Type: PDF eBook:
File Size: 0.9 MB
Reproduction Date: 2005

Title:	Off on a Comet
Author:	Verne, Jules
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Literature, Literature & thought, Writing.
Collections:	Classic Literature Collection, Blackmask Online Collection
Historic Publication Date:
Publisher:	Blackmask Online


Citation APA MLA Chicago Verne, B. J. (n.d.). Off on a Comet. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.us/

Excerpt
Introduction: Among so many effective and artistic tales, it is difficult to give a preference to one over all the rest. Yet, certainly, even amid Verne?s remarkable works, his ?Off on a Comet? must be given high rank. Perhaps this story will be remembered when even ?Round the World in Eighty Days? and ?Michael Strogoff? have been obliterated by centuries of time. At least, of the many books since written upon the same theme as Verne?s, no one has yet succeeded in equaling or even approaching it. In one way ?Off on a Comet? shows a marked contrast to Verne?s earlier books. Not only does it invade a region more remote than even the ?Trip to the Moon,? but the author here abandons his usual scrupulously scientific attitude. In order that he may escort us through the depths of immeasurable space, show us what astronomy really knows of conditions there and upon the other planets, Verne asks us to accept a situation frankly impossible. The earth and a comet are brought twice into collision without mankind in general, or even our astronomers, becoming conscious of the fact. Moreover several people from widely scattered places are carried off by the comet and returned uninjured. Yet further, the comet snatches for the convenience of its travelers, both air and water. Little, useful tracts of earth are picked up and, as it were, turned over and clapped down right side up again upon the comet?s surface. Even ships pass uninjured through this remarkable somersault. These events all belong frankly to the realm of fairyland.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents: Off on a Comet, 1 -- Jules Verne, 1 -- Introduction TO Volume NINE, THE WORKS OF JULES VERNE, 2 -- BOOK I, 3 -- Chapter I. A CHALLENGE, 3 -- Chapter II. CAPTAIN SERVADAC AND HIS ORDERLY, 5 -- Chapter III. INTERRUPTED EFFUSIONS, 8 -- Chapter IV. A CONVULSION OF NATURE, 9 -- Chapter V. A MYSTERIOUS SEA, 10 -- Chapter VI. THE CAPTAIN MAKES AN EXPLORATION, 15 -- Chapter VII. BEN ZOOF WATCHES IN VAIN, 19 -- Chapter VIII. VENUS IN PERILOUS PROXIMITY, 23 -- Chapter IX. INQUIRIES UNSATISFIED, 27 -- Chapter X. A SEARCH FOR ALGERIA, 30 -- Chapter XI. AN ISLAND TOMB, 33 -- Chapter XII. AT THE MERCY OF THE WINDS, 36 -- Chapter XIII. A ROYAL SALUTE, 39 -- Chapter XIV. SENSITIVE NATIONALITY, 44 -- Chapter XV. AN ENIGMA FROM THE SEA, 49 -- Chapter XVI. THE RESIDUUM OF A CONTINENT, 54 -- Chapter XVII. A SECOND ENIGMA, 57 -- Chapter XVIII. AN UNEXPECTED POPULATION, 62 -- Chapter XIX. GALLIA'S GOVERNOR GENERAL, 67 -- Chapter XX. A LIGHT ON THE HORIZON, 71 -- Chapter XXI. WINTER QUARTERS, 76 -- Chapter XXII. A FROZEN OCEAN, 80 -- Chapter XXIII. A CARRIER?PIGEON, 83 -- Chapter XXIV. A SLEDGE?RIDE, 86 -- BOOK II, 91 -- Chapter I. THE ASTRONOMER, 91 -- Chapter II. A REVELATION, 95 -- Chapter III. THE PROFESSOR'S EXPERIENCES, 99 -- Chapter IV. A REVISED CALENDAR, 105 -- Chapter V. WANTED: A STEELYARD, 111 -- Chapter VI. MONEY AT A PREMIUM, 115 -- Chapter VII. GALLIA WEIGHED, 119 -- Chapter VIII. JUPITER SOMEWHAT CLOSE, 123 -- Chapter IX. MARKET PRICES IN GALLIA, 127 -- Chapter X. FAR INTO SPACE, 131 -- Chapter XI. A FETE DAY, 134 -- Chapter XII. THE BOWELS OF THE COMET, 138 -- Chapter XIII. DREARY MONTHS, 142 -- Chapter XIV. THE PROFESSOR PERPLEXED, 146 -- Chapter XV. A JOURNEY AND A DISAPPOINTMENT, 152 -- Chapter XVI. A BOLD PROPOSITION, 158 -- Chapter XVII. THE VENTURE MADE, 163 -- Chapter XVIII. SUSPENSE, 168