What an enjoyable little book. I have known of and understood the importance of Jules Verne work and his elevated stature in early science fiction. This unlike most of his other well known book was grounded in it current times, as much as could be allowed for so as not to stop the advancing the story. I enjoyed the slight jab that a French writer take on the idea of a English gentlemen and how the quirky French Man is the real emotions of the story .
The story was predictable but none the worse for it. I am sure I would be even founder of the book if I had read as a child but I did not and yet I still enjoyed it.