I found this a difficult book to read, because the writing was tough to understand. I wasn't drawn to the characters and not interested in what happened. I read the whole thing because I am studying an extract from this book for an exam.

It’s interesting how even though I’ve never read Jules Verne until now, his stories seem well known to me. I can see what an impact he made on the science fiction and adventure genres. Though this book is the definition of “dated,” it was still a fun read, especially with Jim Dale narrating! He really is the best. He puts so much life and individuality into his characters! This recording also had little bits of music themed to the current location (sitars in India, ragtime piano in San Francisco, etc.), which was slightly hokey and also cute. But of course, as white British dudes travel the world, there’s a whole bunch of racism casually thrown about. I know, I know, “it was a different time,” but it doesn’t make any less offensive and infuriating when, for example, they’re so relieved to make it to America, having gotten past the barbaric, uncivilized lands of China, India, and Japan.

Nice chill book about the extraordinary feat of travelling around the world in 80 days however it’s the book if it’s time, smitten with racism (white saviour and culture appropriation), sexism (female character has love heart eyes as one the only description.