Voyages Extraordinaires Books In Order

Publication Order of Voyages Extraordinaires Books

Seen as one of the leading pioneers of science-fiction as a genre, the highly acclaimed French author Jules Verne is largely responsible for many of the innovations within the field, leading to it becoming the hugely inspired area of creativity that it currently is to this very day, as his legacy continues to live on, inspiring countless other writers in his wake. Telling stories that have become timeless, he’s managed to create worlds that really come alive off the page, building their own language and personality, as he would set the template for many years to come. With many other writers following in his wake, he’s a highly respected voice that really manages to evoke a strong response through his work and through his material. This can be seen through the rich and elaborate worlds that he builds that, whilst seemingly far removed from the reality on the surface, still retain a set of very real human attributes deep underneath, resonating with readers worldwide, on an almost universal level. Creating strong characters as well, many of his protagonists have also stood the test of time too, speaking about issues that are very real and very present within humanity. Taking ideas and concepts that are far reaching too, he always manages to say something that resonates with his audience, whilst also putting forward opinion of his own too. Not only that, but he all his stories have a sense of personality too, as he always articulated his own ideas and outlook, all whilst commenting upon the world around him as he would perceive it. This would lead to some of the most well thought out and highly compelling novels to date, leading to him becoming a literary figure that would be revered for many years to come. Over the course of his writing career, he would also come to establish a number of series too, many of which would also come to be highly regarded during his time too. A series that he would become particularly well known for would be that of his ‘Voyages Extraordinaires’, or ‘Extraordinary Voyages’, series of novels, as they would come to be regarded as some of his most influential works. Spanning a total of fifty-four novels, these would take up a large portion of the late writer’s career, seeing it become one of his most prolific series to date. Setting out a long-term goal of charting and imparting the entirety of modern scientific knowledge at the time in a fun, entertaining and picturesque set of stories, it would come to give birth to much of science-fiction as it is currently known today, making it one of his most influential series yet. Really taking the time to tell each and every story, this series of fifty-four novels would last between the years of 1863 to 1905, detailing some of the most influential stories of contemporary science-fiction.

Starting out with ‘Captain Hatteras’, it would also come to mark the third title in all of his novels released up until that point. Using both fictional and non-fictional stories, it would seek to tell them all in an engaging and compelling manner, many of the stories going on to achieve a sense of fame far beyond the series itself.

Five Weeks in a Balloon

Initially published in 1863, this would quickly go on to become a classic, as it would pave the way for many of Verne’s ideas to follow in the future. One of them most notably would be ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ which would come out almost ten years later in 1972, showing a clear development of the original premise. Using a hot air balloon to navigate the entire world, it would come to be an extremely engaging adventure stories of contemporary literature, with it being adapted into various formats over the years.

Taking place in 1862, this story would commence on the 14th of January, from the Royal Geographical Society, No. 3 Waterloo Place, London. Setting off for the continent of Africa, Dr. Samuel Fergusson, the explorer and scholar, aims to navigate this difficult region in its entirety. Taking off in a hot-air balloon with his manservant Joe, the two of them aim to explore and plot the many various regions all across the continent. Can they manage it? Will they be able to locate the source of the Nile? What will they find during their five full weeks in a balloon?

The Adventures of Captain Hatteras

Originally published in 1866, this would come to mark the first titled ‘Voyages Extraordinaires’ novel, as the series would see itself become an established franchise. In the years to come it would also become a highly lauded adventure novel, showing Verne as a writer clearly within his element. First published in French, it has since been translated, thus allowing it to be appreciated on a worldwide global scale for many years to follow.Getting a mysterious letter with the order to construct a reinforced steamship, First Mate Shandon is intrigued after receiving this order in Liverpool. Soon, though, he discovers that the order is for none other than the brave Captain John Hatteras, as he has an obsession with getting to the very center of North Pole. Pushing onwards for Melville Bay and the Arctic labyrinth, he soon finds himself with a limited crew, as he continues to push forwards despite the risks. Will he manage it? Can he overcome the difficulties and dangers? What will become of Captain Hatteras?

The Voyages Extraordinaires Series

As a long-running series, this is perhaps one of Jules Verne’s most beloved collections to date, as it would come to make up the majority of his career, thus setting him up as one of the greatest and most influential writers of science-fiction to date. Over time this has gone on to shape the genre, allowing it to become what it currently is today, leading to this series being an important hallmark within the field. Definitely a must for any reader or fan of the genre, this is one series that will continue to stand the test of time for many years to come.