Around the World in Eighty Days facts for kids

The original cover of Around the World in Eighty Days

Around The World in Eighty Days is a classic adventure novel by Jules Verne. It was published in 1873. This exciting story is about a very precise English gentleman named Phileas Fogg. He makes a huge bet with his friends at the Reform Club. He says he can travel around the entire world in just 80 days! To prove it, he sets off on an amazing journey with his new French valet, Jean Passepartout. This book is one of Jules Verne's most famous and beloved works.

The Big Bet

The story begins in London in 1872. Phileas Fogg is a wealthy man who lives a very orderly life. He follows a strict schedule every day. One evening, while at the Reform Club, he gets into a discussion about travel. Someone mentions that it is now possible to travel around the world in 80 days. Fogg believes it can be done. His friends disagree. To prove his point, Fogg bets them £20,000 (a huge amount of money back then!). He promises to return to the club exactly 80 days later.

The Journey Begins

Fogg and Passepartout leave London immediately. They take the 8:45 PM train on October 2, 1872. Their journey is planned out carefully. They will use trains, steamships, and even elephants! Their route takes them across many different countries and continents.

• First, they travel from London to Suez, Egypt.
• Then, they cross India, going from Mumbai to Kolkata.
• Next, they sail to Hong Kong.
• After that, they head to Yokohama, Japan.
• From Japan, they cross the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco, USA.
• They then travel across America to New York City.
• Finally, they sail back across the Atlantic Ocean to Liverpool, England, and then to London.

Exciting Adventures Along the Way

Their trip is full of unexpected challenges and thrilling moments.

Detective Fix's Pursuit

A detective named Mr. Fix believes Phileas Fogg is a bank robber. He thinks Fogg stole money from the Bank of England. Detective Fix follows Fogg and Passepartout everywhere. He tries to delay them so he can arrest Fogg. This adds a lot of suspense to their journey.

Saving Aouda

In India, Fogg and Passepartout meet a young Indian woman named Aouda. She is about to be forced into a dangerous ritual. Fogg, being a kind and brave man, decides to rescue her. Aouda then joins them on their adventure. She becomes an important part of their group.

Missed Connections and Delays

The travelers face many problems. They miss trains, deal with storms at sea, and even have to buy an elephant! Passepartout often gets into funny situations. He sometimes causes delays by accident. For example, he gets separated from Fogg in Hong Kong. These events make their race against time even harder.

Across America

In the United States, they travel by train. They encounter Native American tribes and even a herd of buffalo! Their train journey is interrupted by a bridge that is about to collapse. They also have to deal with a group of bandits. These challenges test Fogg's calm nature and Passepartout's cleverness.

The Race to the Finish

As they get closer to London, time is running out. They face their biggest challenge on the last leg of the journey. Detective Fix finally arrests Fogg in Liverpool. This causes a major delay. Even though Fogg is quickly released, it seems they have lost the bet.

The Clever Twist

Fogg believes he has arrived in London too late. He thinks he has lost his fortune. However, Passepartout discovers something amazing. By traveling eastward around the world, they gained a day! They crossed the International Date Line. This means they arrived a full day earlier than they thought.

Phileas Fogg arrives at the Reform Club just in time. He wins his bet! He has traveled around the world in 80 days.

Why This Book is Special

Around The World in Eighty Days is more than just an adventure story. It shows how new technologies like steamships and railways were changing the world. It also highlights themes like:

• Determination: Phileas Fogg never gives up, no matter the obstacles.
• Loyalty: Passepartout is always loyal to his master.
• Friendship: The bond between Fogg, Passepartout, and Aouda grows stronger during their journey.
• The Spirit of Adventure: The book inspires readers to explore the world and face challenges.

Jules Verne's story is still loved today. It has been made into many movies, TV shows, and plays. It continues to inspire people of all ages to dream big and explore.

Images for kids

• Verne Denouement.jpg

  The book page containing the famous dénouement (page 312 in the Philadelphia – Porter & Coates, 1873 edition)

See also

In Spanish: La vuelta al mundo en ochenta días para niños