Among so many effective and artistic tales, it is difficult to give a preference to one over all the rest. Yet, certainly, even amid Verne’s remarkable works, his “Off on a Comet” must be given high rank. Perhaps this story will be remembered when even “Round the World in Eighty Days” and “Michael Strogoff” have been obliterated by centuries of time. At least, of the many books since written upon the same theme as Verne’s, no one has yet succeeded in equaling or even approaching it.
Introduction
Among so many effective and artistic tales, it is difficult to give a preference to one over all the rest. Yet, certainly, even amid Verne's remarkable works, his "Off on a Comet" must be given high rank. Perhaps this story will be remembered when even "Round the World in Eighty Days" and "Michael Strogoff" have been obliterated by centuries of time. At least, of the many books since written upon the same theme as Verne's, no one has yet succeeded in equaling or even approaching it.
In one way "Off on a Comet" shows a marked contrast to Verne's earlier books. Not only does it invade a region more remote than even the "Trip to the Moon," but the author here abandons his usual scrupulously scientific attitude. In order that he may escort us through the depths of immeasurable space, show us what astronomy really knows of conditions there and upon the other planets, Verne asks us to accept a situation frankly impossible. The earth and a comet are brought twice into collision without mankind in general, or even our astronomers, becoming conscious of the fact. Moreover several people from widely scattered places are carried off by the comet and returned uninjured. Yet further, the comet snatches for the convenience of its travelers, both air and water. Little, useful tracts of earth are picked up and, as it were, turned over and clapped down right side up again upon the comet's surface. Even ships pass uninjured through this remarkable somersault. These events all belong frankly to the realm of fairyland.
If the situation were reproduced in actuality, if ever a comet should come into collision with the earth, we can conceive two scientifically possible results. If the comet were of such attenuation, such almost infinitesimal mass as some of these celestial wanderers seem to be, we can imagine our earth self-protective and possibly unharmed. If, on the other hand, the comet had even a hundredth part of the size and solidity and weight which Verne confers upon his monster so as to give his travelers a home - in that case the collision would be unspeakably disastrous - especially to the unlucky individuals who occupied the exact point of contact.
But once granted the initial and the closing extravagance, the departure and return of his characters, the alpha and omega of his tale, how closely the author clings to facts between! How closely he follows, and imparts to his readers, the scientific probabilities of the universe beyond our earth, the actual knowledge so hard won by our astronomers! Other authors who, since Verne, have told of trips through the planetary and stellar universe have given free rein to fancy, to dreams of what might be found. Verne has endeavored to impart only what is known to exist.
In the same year with "Off on a Comet," 1877, was published also the tale variously named and translated as "The Black Indies," "The Underground City," and "The Child of the Cavern." This story, like "Round the World in Eighty Days" was first issued in "feuilleton" by the noted Paris newspaper "Le Temps." Its success did not equal that of its predecessor in this style. Some critics indeed have pointed to this work as marking the beginning of a decline in the author's power of awaking interest. Many of his best works were, however, still to follow. And, as regards imagination and the elements of mystery and awe, surely in the "Underground City" with its cavern world, its secret, undiscoverable, unrelenting foe, the "Harfang," bird of evil omen, and the "fire maidens" of the ruined castle, surely with all these "imagination" is anything but lacking.
From the realistic side, the work is painstaking and exact as all the author's works. The sketches of mines and miners, their courage and their dangers, their lives and their hopes, are carefully studied. So also is the emotional aspect of the deeps under ground, the blackness, the endless wandering passages, the silence, and the awe.
Introduction
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Book I Chapter 1 A Challenge
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Chapter 2 Captain Servadac and His Orderly
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Chapter 3 Interrupted Effusions
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Chapter 4 A Convulsion of Nature
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Chapter 5 A Mysterious Sea
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Chapter 6 The Captain Makes an Exploration
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Chapter 7 Ben Zoof Watches in Vain
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Chapter 8 Venus in Perilous Proximity
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Chapter 9 Inquiries Unsatisfied
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Chapter 10 A Search for Algeria
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Chapter 11 An Island Tomb
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Chapter 12 At the Mercy of the Winds
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Chapter 13 A Royal Salute
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Chapter 14 Sensitive Nationality
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Chapter 15 An Enigma from the Sea
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Chapter 16 The Residuum of a Continent
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Chapter 17 A Second Enigma
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Chapter 18 An Unexpected Population
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Chapter 19 Gallia's Governor General
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Chapter 20 A Light on the Horizon
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Chapter 21 Winter Quarters
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Chapter 22 A Frozen Ocean
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Chapter 23 A Carrier-Pigeon
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Chapter 24 A Sledge-Ride
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Book II Chapter 25 The Astronomer
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Chapter 26 A Revelation
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Chapter 27 The Professor's Experiences
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Chapter 28 A Revised Calendar
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Chapter 29 Wanted A Steelyard
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Chapter 30 Money at a Premium
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Chapter 31 Gallia Weighed
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Chapter 32 Jupiter Somewhat Close
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Chapter 33 Market Prices in Gallia
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Chapter 34 Far into Space
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Chapter 35 A Fete Day
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Chapter 36 The Bowels of the Comet
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Chapter 37 Dreary Months
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Chapter 38 The Professor Perplexed
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Chapter 39 A Journey and a Disappointment
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