Around the World in 80 Days is Jules Verne's masterpiece: The first three chapters alone would make a fine short story. The book is an absolute joy to read, beautifully written with thrilling adventures, brief historical background notes concerning a given place and time, subtle humor and —Romance.
Jean Passepartout, a young Frenchman, muscular and of herculean strength, has practiced such disparate trades as street singer, circus acrobat, gymnastics teacher, and fireman sergeant in Paris; but he is tired of that existence. After leaving behind the Jack-of-all-trade lifestyle of his youth, we find him in London, trying out the more peaceful trade of valet. Passepartout is delighted to find Phileas Fogg, the perfect sedentary English gentlemen. He has seen at Madame Tussaud's people as lively as his new master! and he gladly foresees a future of pure blissful quietude as valet in the house on Saville Row. But his dream of blissful tranquility is cut short, for the very day he is hired, Phileas Fogg, contrary to his calm, collected, sedentary nature, decides to take up the challenge of traveling around the world in eighty days! And right there and then, our young Frenchman is embarked on a race against time around the planet. Life with Mr. Fogg becomes more topsy-turvy than he ever thought possible. His positive philosophy very quickly takes over as he goes along this crazy globetrotting journey, and soon becomes a practical counter-point to Phileas Fogg's stiffness and intransigence. Passepartout will offer resourcefulness, courage, fantasy and the spontaneity of a happy-go-lucky young man who does everything with relish.
