Jules Verne
Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French novelist, one of the founders of science fiction and among the most translated authors in the world. His thrilling 'Voyages Extraordinaires' combined adventure, exploration, and remarkably prophetic science into stories that have delighted readers for over 150 years.
His famous novels — Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Around the World in Eighty Days, and From the Earth to the Moon — imagined submarines, space travel, and global adventure with astonishing detail and foresight. Verne's blend of scientific curiosity and gripping storytelling made him a pioneer of the genre and a favourite of readers young and old.
A meticulous researcher, Verne wove real geography and cutting-edge science of his day into fantastic journeys, inspiring generations of scientists, explorers, and writers.
His storytelling is fast and vivid, and our editions present it cleanly, free of the poor early translations that once distorted his work. Read the opening free, and read or listen with a membership.
Jules Verne in the library · 11 works
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A Journey to the Centre of the Earth
Around the World in Eighty Days
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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea
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Audiobooks by Jules Verne
Every Jules Verne title in the library is also a complete, professionally produced audiobook — 11 audiobooks in total. Members listen free on any device. Browse the audiobook library →
Frequently asked questions about Jules Verne
What did Jules Verne write?
Verne wrote dozens of adventure novels, collectively known as the Voyages Extraordinaires. The most famous are Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Around the World in Eighty Days, From the Earth to the Moon, and The Mysterious Island. These blend exploration, adventure, and forward-looking science.
Where should I start with Jules Verne?
Around the World in Eighty Days is the perfect starting point — a fast, fun race against the clock with none of the technical detail some of his other books contain. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth are the next great choices. All are exciting and easy to enjoy.
Did Jules Verne predict the future?
Verne's novels imagined technologies decades before they existed, including submarines, powered flight, and space travel, and he described them with careful scientific plausibility. He got remarkable details right — his From the Earth to the Moon even launches its capsule from Florida. While not literally a prophet, his scientific imagination was extraordinarily prescient.
Is Jules Verne considered the father of science fiction?
Verne is regarded as one of the founders of the genre, alongside H. G. Wells. He pioneered stories grounded in real science and technology, using them to fuel thrilling adventures. His influence on later science fiction, and on real scientists and explorers, has been immense.
Are Verne's books hard to read?
His storytelling is brisk and exciting, though some novels include detailed passages of geography, science, or catalogues of sea life. A further problem is that many old English translations were poor and heavily abridged. A good clear edition restores the pace and adventure of the originals.
When did Jules Verne live?
Verne lived from 1828 to 1905 in France. He published his famous adventure novels from the 1860s onward, achieving enormous popularity across the world. He wrote steadily for over four decades, producing one of the largest and most beloved bodies of adventure fiction ever created.
Where can I read Jules Verne for free?
Verne's novels are in the public domain and freely available. Beware that many free versions use flawed old translations. Here you can read the openings free in clear modern English, and read or listen with a membership.
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