"Jules Verne. Off on a Comet. WORKS" - читать интересную книгу автора

Off on a Comet

by Jules Verne


WORKS

of

JULES VERNE


EDITED BY

CHARLES F. HORNE, Ph.D.

Professor of English, College of the City of New York;
Author of "The Technique of the Novel," etc.

[colophon omitted]

F. TYLER DANIELS COMPANY, INC.

NEW YORK : : : : LONDON




COPYRIGHT, 1911
BY VINCENT PARKE AND COMPANY




_INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME NINE

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.