Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed Robur the Conqueror: The Clipper of the Clouds on + 1180 more book reviews
ROBUR THE CONQUEROR was published by Jules Verne in 1886, one of his "Voyages Extraordinaire." The novel focuses on lighter-than-air vs. heavier-than-air flight. The title character, Robur, has developed a heavier-than-air ship that he contends is the future of flight (this was almost 20 years before the Wright Brothers flight at Kitty Hawk). Robur first appears at a meeting of a society of balloonists in Philadelphia who disagree with Robur. The president of the society, Uncle Prudent, the secretary, Phil Evans, and Prudent's manservant, Frycollin, end up being kidnapped by Robur and are taken on a journey in his airship, the Albatross, around the world. They travel west across the U.S. including swooping down on a passing train on the western frontier. Then up towards Alaska and across to Japan and China. Then Europe, down into Africa, across the Atlantic almost to the South Pole before Prudent, Evans, and Frycollin are able to escape and blow up the Albatross. But is that the end of Robur? Not likely; he returns to Philadelphia to seek his vengeance.
I actually read this copy of the novel from an omnibus called "The Best of Jules Verne" that I have had for many years. In it, Robur is published under its alternate title, CLIPPER OF THE CLOUDS, along with AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS and JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH. I read both Eighty Days and Journey many years ago but had never read Robur although I did read a Classics Illustrated comic adaptation when I was in grade school. There was also a movie adaptation from 1961 titled "Master of the World" which starred Vincent Price. MASTER OF THE WORLD is actually a Verne sequel to Robur but the movie was based on Conqueror although the plot lines were very much embellished.
I enjoyed Robur for what it is, kind of a poor man's TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA with Robur in the role of Nemo. Verne definitely had a grasp for the physics of the time, as well as a great knowledge of geography. And of course he was right about the future of flying and heavier-than-air aircraft although the Albatross was more like a giant drone with upright propellers. A drawing from an early edition of the book make it look like a flying ship.
Verne was also a little racist in his descriptions of Frycollin who was a black servant. He used very stereotypical language and pictured him as lazy and frightened at most everything. But overall, this was an engaging Verne adventure and at some point I will probably read the sequel, MASTER OF THE WORLD.
I actually read this copy of the novel from an omnibus called "The Best of Jules Verne" that I have had for many years. In it, Robur is published under its alternate title, CLIPPER OF THE CLOUDS, along with AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS and JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH. I read both Eighty Days and Journey many years ago but had never read Robur although I did read a Classics Illustrated comic adaptation when I was in grade school. There was also a movie adaptation from 1961 titled "Master of the World" which starred Vincent Price. MASTER OF THE WORLD is actually a Verne sequel to Robur but the movie was based on Conqueror although the plot lines were very much embellished.
I enjoyed Robur for what it is, kind of a poor man's TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA with Robur in the role of Nemo. Verne definitely had a grasp for the physics of the time, as well as a great knowledge of geography. And of course he was right about the future of flying and heavier-than-air aircraft although the Albatross was more like a giant drone with upright propellers. A drawing from an early edition of the book make it look like a flying ship.
Verne was also a little racist in his descriptions of Frycollin who was a black servant. He used very stereotypical language and pictured him as lazy and frightened at most everything. But overall, this was an engaging Verne adventure and at some point I will probably read the sequel, MASTER OF THE WORLD.
