A is for Around the World in 80 Days

by | Apr 1, 2016 | #atozchallenge, Around the World | 10 comments

A

 

Busy blog this month. Here is what’s going on:

1. This year for the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge, I’m writing about the 1800s. In particular, I’ll be focusing on the events surrounding  Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s race around the world in 1889 in celebration of my new novel based on their adventures, Liz and Nellie. 

2. Also, for these first few days, I’m also participating YASH 2016 (Young Adult Scavenger Hunt) which includes a Rafflecopter giveaway for one of four copies of the Liz and Nellie (scroll down for the YASH post.) YASH ends April 3.

 

The novel Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne was published in 1873. The main character, Phileas Fogg, makes a bet that he can travel all the way around the world in eighty days. Fogg trusts in his calculations and sets off from Victorian London with his newly-hired valet. A fun subplot involves a policeman who chases after him, suspecting him of being a bank robber.

This novel has created all kinds of spin-offs and real-life copycats. One of the earliest and most famous circumnavigators was stunt reporter Nellie Bly who set out from New York in 1889 as a publicity stunt for World newspaper. In a parallel subplot to Verne’s novel, she was also followed; however, not by a policeman, but by another reporter going in the opposite direction trying to beat her back to New York (more about this later in the A to Z challenge!)

Map of the trip
Read for free on Project Gutenberg

 

Movie Trailer of Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

 

10 Comments

    • Shonna
      Shonna on April 1, 2016 at 12:38 PM

      Hey, where’s your vote of confidence? Some letters are giving me problems, but I’ve got time to figure it out 🙂

      • Tamara
        Tamara on April 1, 2016 at 9:42 PM

        Good thing that X, Y and Z are far away from today – or so it seems 😉

        • Shonna
          Shonna on April 1, 2016 at 11:16 PM

          Ha, don’t you know it?

  2. Rachel Bateman
    Rachel Bateman on April 1, 2016 at 3:19 PM

    How fun! I had no idea about the race around the world, but I’ll be watching this month to learn about it! It sounds so interesting.

    • Shonna
      Shonna on April 1, 2016 at 11:16 PM

      Rachel, it’s such a fun story!

  3. Tamara
    Tamara on April 1, 2016 at 9:43 PM

    I would love to travel around the world! It would be nice to be able to spend more time, though!

    • Shonna
      Shonna on April 1, 2016 at 11:17 PM

      I agree. Although, fast back then included plenty of layovers waiting for the next ship to come into port. Not like today when you could probably catch one flight after another.

  4. sheri j kennedy
    sheri j kennedy on April 4, 2016 at 1:08 PM

    I love this book, and I just took a look at your ebook which I will probably have to buy…I have such a backlog to read, but it is just what I love best. I’m writing in 1910 right now, but my research has been from about 1887 forward. What a fascinating time! I’ve found many amazing women characters and invented one of my own, The Witty Miss Livingstone. The first book in her series is planned for publication and release this fall.
    Thanks for coming by my blog, and I look forward to peeking in on yours from time to time. -sjk

    • Shonna
      Shonna on April 4, 2016 at 6:02 PM

      Isn’t this time period fascinating? Although, I must say, I like the advancements that have been made since then!