A nice edition with 18 original illustrations. An Antarctic Mystery (French: Le Sphinx des glaces) was written in 1897, in response to Edgar Allan Poe's 1838 novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. It follows the adventures of the narrator and his journey from the Kerguelen Islands aboard the ship Halbrane to the South Pole. During their adventures, they find the source of strong magnetic fields, an Ice Sphinx. This edition contains both parts of the original novel.
Decades after Edgar Allan Poe's longest and weirdest tale, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym, was published—the protagonist disappearing into the misty, mystifying Antarctic seas; his fate unknown—Jules Verne took up the challenge to answer what had happened to him. In The Sphinx of the Ice Realm, he penned the most amazing journey of his fabled career: a voyage across the bottom of the world! An astonishing mix of manhunt, sea story, scientific speculation, and polar nightmare, Verne's epic fantasy novel appears here for the first time as a new and complete translation by noted Verne expert Frederick Paul Walter. The book is a treat for any fan of science fiction and fantasy, and includes many fascinating notes for students and scholars alike. In addition, the book features a complete, reader-friendly rendition of the original Poe tale that sparked Verne's uniquely imaginative response.
"The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket", a story by Edgar Allan Poe, recounts the adventure of Pym, who embarks clandestinely on a whaler. After a mutiny and various adversities, including cannibalism and natural disasters, the story culminates in a mysterious and inconclusive encounter at the South Pole.
“THE SHARPEST AND MOST UNUSUAL STORY I READ LAST YEAR . . . [Mat] Johnson’s satirical vision roves as freely as Kurt Vonnegut’s and is colored with the same sort of passionate humanitarianism.”—Maud Newton, New York Times Magazine NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • Vanity Fair • Houston Chronicle • The Seattle Times • Salon • National Post • The A.V. Club Recently canned professor of American literature Chris Jaynes has just made a startling discovery: the manuscript of a crude slave narrative that confirms the reality of Edgar Allan Poe’s strange and only novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. Determined to seek out Tsalal, the remote island of pure and utter blackness that Poe describes, Jaynes convenes an all-black crew of six to follow Pym’s trail to the South Pole, armed with little but the firsthand account from which Poe derived his seafaring tale, a bag of bones, and a stash of Little Debbie snack cakes. Thus begins an epic journey by an unlikely band of adventurers under the permafrost of Antarctica, beneath the surface of American history, and behind one of literature’s great mysteries. “Outrageously entertaining, [Pym] brilliantly re-imagines and extends Edgar Allan Poe’s enigmatic and unsettling Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. . . . Part social satire, part meditation on race in America, part metafiction and, just as important, a rollicking fantasy adventure . . . reminiscent of Philip Roth in its seemingly effortless blend of the serious, comic and fantastic.”—Michael Dirda, The Washington Post “Blisteringly funny.”—Laura Miller, Salon “Relentlessly entertaining.”—The New York Times Book Review “Imagine Kurt Vonnegut having a beer with Ralph Ellison and Jules Verne.”—Vanity Fair “Screamingly funny . . . Reading Pym is like opening a big can of whoop-ass and then marveling—gleefully—at all the mayhem that ensues.”—Houston Chronicle
"Dick Sands the Boy Captain" by Jules Verne is an enthralling adventure novel that centers around the young protagonist, Dick Sands. Set against the backdrop of a maritime voyage, the story follows Dick Sands as he faces a series of challenges and tests his mettle as a leader and a hero. The narrative begins with the young cabin boy, Dick Sands, aboard the ship "Pilgrim." When disaster strikes and the ship becomes wrecked on the coast of Africa, Dick Sands finds himself in a position of authority and responsibility. With the crew and passengers looking up to him, Dick must step up and lead the group to survival. Despite his youth, Dick Sands demonstrates remarkable resourcefulness, courage, and determination. As he navigates through the unfamiliar and often perilous terrain of Africa, he shows a strong sense of ethics and justice. He forges connections with both the native people and his fellow shipwrecked companions, highlighting themes of understanding and cooperation. Throughout the novel, Jules Verne weaves together themes of leadership, exploration, and cultural exchange. The story explores the clash between different cultures and the potential for mutual learning and respect. As Dick Sands takes charge and strives to keep his group safe, readers witness his growth from a humble cabin boy to a capable and inspiring leader. Verne's meticulous attention to detail and vivid descriptions create a rich and immersive reading experience. The African landscape and its challenges come to life, offering readers a glimpse into the beauty and harshness of the environment. The narrative is also punctuated with moments of action, suspense, and emotional depth, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. "Dick Sands the Boy Captain" is a testament to the indomitable spirit of youth and the power of determination. It showcases the potential for leadership and heroism to emerge from unexpected sources and underscores the importance of unity and understanding in the face of adversity. Jules Verne's masterful storytelling skillfully combines adventure, exploration, and profound themes, making this novel a timeless and captivating read for audiences of all ages.
Eleven classic whodunits starring master sleuths such as Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and Father Brown. A superstar lineup of detectives—including Sherlock Holmes, C. Auguste Dupin, and Hercule Poirot—headlines this elegant leather-bound edition of classic mystery stories. Short stories such as Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” and G. K. Chesterton’s “The Blue Cross” are ideal for a cozy evening by the fire, while novels like Agatha Christie’s The Murder on the Links and Jules Verne’s An Antarctic Mystery will keep you engrossed for days. The eleven works in this volume are preceded by a scholarly introduction that explores the origins of the genre, as well as the development of the modern mystery story and the contributions made by each author. Works Included Short stories: "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," Edgar Allan Poe "The Adventure of the Creeping Man," Sir Arthur Conan Doyle "The Blue Cross," G. K. Chesterton "The Coin of Dionysius," Ernest Bramah "The Anthropologist at Large," R. Austin Freeman "The Most Dangerous Game," Richard Connell Novels: The Murder on the Links, Agatha Christie Whose Body?, Dorothy Sayers The Thirty-nine Steps, John Buchan An Antarctic Mystery, Jules Verne Room 13, Edgar Wallace
This is the 44th book in the Extraordinary Voyages Series. An Antarctic Mystery (The Sphinx of the Ice Fields), is a response to Edgar Allan Poe's 1838 novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. It follows the adventures of the narrator and his journey from the Kerguelen Islands aboard Halbrane.
"This is the 44th book in the Extraordinary Voyages Series. An Antarctic Mystery (The Sphinx of the Ice Fields), is a response to Edgar Allan Poe's 1838 novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. It follows the adventures of the narrator and his journey from the Kerguelen Islands aboard Halbrane."
