The Meteor Hunt: The First English Translation of Verne's Original Manuscript (Bison Frontiers of Imagination)
Adult/High School–In his introductory essay, Jules Verne in America, Miller discusses the literary crimes of Michel Verne, son of Jules. It seems that after his father's death, the author's son transformed substantively all the works published posthumously under his father's byline. The idea that generations have not read Jules Verne's novels as he wrote them can be both appalling and exhilarating. Appalling because such a hoax affected such a large body of work by a well-known and loved author. But think of the new reading possibilities!Meteor Huntis a small gem; just two thirds of the volume here is the novel. In a small town in Virginia, two amateur astronomers independently sight the same meteor. Their rivalry complicates the marriage plans of one's daughter to the other's nephew. Further and farther-reaching complications ensue when it is discovered that the meteor is coming to Earth and, more importantly, that it is composed of approximately 1,389,393 tons, or over $781 billion, worth of gold. Verne's mastery of writing and science fiction proves itself as this 1886 story feels fresh and contemporary 120 years later. The satirical comments on greed, both personal and national; marriage; and society can be recognized and appreciated by teen readers. This is a great introduction for anyone who hasn't yet read Verne and an incentive for everyone to find the new translations of his other works.–Dana Cobern-Kullman, Luther Burbank Middle School, Burbank, CACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.