20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Gr 9 Up—Sensational news of a sea monster that has been disabling ships has intrigued Professor Pierre Arronax, a naturalist explorer doing research for a museum in Paris. He and attendant, Conseil, board an American naval vessel to search for and identify the dangerous creature. The ship is attacked by the underwater fiend, throwing Arronax, Conseil, and Ned Land, a Canadian master harpooner, overboard, only to land on the very monster, the submarine Nautilus, and be dragged inside as captives. Arronax's first person account exquisitely describes flora and fauna, as well as his take on the amazing electric submarine and Captain Nemo's malevolent modus operandi. The Nautilus carries Nemo and his crew under the world's seas seeking revenge against those who have wronged his family. British actor James Frain incorporates just the right amount of drama into his narration, a style appropriate for Jules Verne's 1870 science fiction classic. The audio presentation opens with a reading of Ray Bradbury's lengthy academic essay comparing Melville's Moby Dick and Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Secondary school and public libraries will want to add this production to their audio collections.—Jennifer Ward, Albany Public Library, NY