Off on a Comet, or, Hector Servadac

When the comet Gallia impacts Earth, the results are catastrophic... but only for a given few. After the glancing blow, Earth continues in its stately course, but a few chunks of the planet's outer shell are taken up by the comet, along with several dozen people. Thus begins Jules Verne's vision of a voyage through planetary space.

Those caught up on the comet--representing several nationalities--at first assume they've survived nothing more spectacular than an earthquake. But as physical laws seem to change, they investigate their situation and discover their new place in the universe. Adventure abounds, scientific extrapolation leavens the mix, and our voyagers soon revert to their terrestrial human habits: squabbling over control of territory, and trying their best to survive.

When Gallia returns to Earth two years later, the survivors will have one chance to make it home, if they can devise a truly Vernian method to bridge their home world and their new world.

Off on a Comet first appeared in serial form in 1877. One of the author's lesser known works in English, some of its social commentary is truly dated, and the overarching MacGuffin seems beneath his abilities. But after the reader accepts the cometary rendezvous with Earth, the author brings his scientific sensibilities on full blast, for a tale of scientific derring-do and wonders beyond imagining.

Author Jules Verne (1828-1905) started life as a lawyer, but soon quit the profession to devote himself to writing, to the world's greater benefit. His first produced play, Les Pailles rompues (The Broken Straws), debuted in Paris in 1850, the year before he received his law license. His first published short story, "L'Amérique du Sud. Etudes historiques. Les Premiers Navires de la Marine Mexicaine" ("The First Ships of the Mexican Navy"), was published in Musée des families in 1851. His first published novel, Cinq semaines en ballon (Five Weeks in a Balloon)--the first of his Voyages Extraordinaires, and the first of more than 50 novels--finally appeared in 1863. Today, Verne is remembered as one of the founders of science fiction, and is one of the most translated authors in the world.

Cover illustration by Paul Dominique Philippoteaux (1846-1923) from the original serialization, engraved by Charles Laplante (1837-1903).

"1006846264"
Off on a Comet, or, Hector Servadac

When the comet Gallia impacts Earth, the results are catastrophic... but only for a given few. After the glancing blow, Earth continues in its stately course, but a few chunks of the planet's outer shell are taken up by the comet, along with several dozen people. Thus begins Jules Verne's vision of a voyage through planetary space.

Those caught up on the comet--representing several nationalities--at first assume they've survived nothing more spectacular than an earthquake. But as physical laws seem to change, they investigate their situation and discover their new place in the universe. Adventure abounds, scientific extrapolation leavens the mix, and our voyagers soon revert to their terrestrial human habits: squabbling over control of territory, and trying their best to survive.

When Gallia returns to Earth two years later, the survivors will have one chance to make it home, if they can devise a truly Vernian method to bridge their home world and their new world.

Off on a Comet first appeared in serial form in 1877. One of the author's lesser known works in English, some of its social commentary is truly dated, and the overarching MacGuffin seems beneath his abilities. But after the reader accepts the cometary rendezvous with Earth, the author brings his scientific sensibilities on full blast, for a tale of scientific derring-do and wonders beyond imagining.

Author Jules Verne (1828-1905) started life as a lawyer, but soon quit the profession to devote himself to writing, to the world's greater benefit. His first produced play, Les Pailles rompues (The Broken Straws), debuted in Paris in 1850, the year before he received his law license. His first published short story, "L'Amérique du Sud. Etudes historiques. Les Premiers Navires de la Marine Mexicaine" ("The First Ships of the Mexican Navy"), was published in Musée des families in 1851. His first published novel, Cinq semaines en ballon (Five Weeks in a Balloon)--the first of his Voyages Extraordinaires, and the first of more than 50 novels--finally appeared in 1863. Today, Verne is remembered as one of the founders of science fiction, and is one of the most translated authors in the world.

Cover illustration by Paul Dominique Philippoteaux (1846-1923) from the original serialization, engraved by Charles Laplante (1837-1903).

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Off on a Comet, or, Hector Servadac

Off on a Comet, or, Hector Servadac

by Jules Verne
Off on a Comet, or, Hector Servadac

Off on a Comet, or, Hector Servadac

by Jules Verne

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Overview

When the comet Gallia impacts Earth, the results are catastrophic... but only for a given few. After the glancing blow, Earth continues in its stately course, but a few chunks of the planet's outer shell are taken up by the comet, along with several dozen people. Thus begins Jules Verne's vision of a voyage through planetary space.

Those caught up on the comet--representing several nationalities--at first assume they've survived nothing more spectacular than an earthquake. But as physical laws seem to change, they investigate their situation and discover their new place in the universe. Adventure abounds, scientific extrapolation leavens the mix, and our voyagers soon revert to their terrestrial human habits: squabbling over control of territory, and trying their best to survive.

When Gallia returns to Earth two years later, the survivors will have one chance to make it home, if they can devise a truly Vernian method to bridge their home world and their new world.

Off on a Comet first appeared in serial form in 1877. One of the author's lesser known works in English, some of its social commentary is truly dated, and the overarching MacGuffin seems beneath his abilities. But after the reader accepts the cometary rendezvous with Earth, the author brings his scientific sensibilities on full blast, for a tale of scientific derring-do and wonders beyond imagining.

Author Jules Verne (1828-1905) started life as a lawyer, but soon quit the profession to devote himself to writing, to the world's greater benefit. His first produced play, Les Pailles rompues (The Broken Straws), debuted in Paris in 1850, the year before he received his law license. His first published short story, "L'Amérique du Sud. Etudes historiques. Les Premiers Navires de la Marine Mexicaine" ("The First Ships of the Mexican Navy"), was published in Musée des families in 1851. His first published novel, Cinq semaines en ballon (Five Weeks in a Balloon)--the first of his Voyages Extraordinaires, and the first of more than 50 novels--finally appeared in 1863. Today, Verne is remembered as one of the founders of science fiction, and is one of the most translated authors in the world.

Cover illustration by Paul Dominique Philippoteaux (1846-1923) from the original serialization, engraved by Charles Laplante (1837-1903).


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781515423676
Publisher: Wilder Publications
Publication date: 08/19/2018
Pages: 278
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

About The Author

Widely regarded as the father of modern science fiction, Jules Verne (1828-1905) wrote more than seventy books and created hundreds of memorable characters. His most popular novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, is not only a brilliant piece of scientific prophecy, but also a thrilling story with superb, subtle characterizations.

Date of Birth:

February 8, 1828

Date of Death:

March 24, 1905

Place of Birth:

Nantes, France

Place of Death:

Amiens, France

Education:

Nantes lycée and law studies in Paris
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